Do you know this education buzzword: STEM? I don’t think you can attend a school open house or PTA meeting these days without hearing it, but it doesn’t seem like everyone actually knows what it means.
STEM quite simply stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. STEMÂ is a curriculum approach that encourages interdisciplinary teaching in the areas of all four of these disciplines that teaching a different way of look at problems and the world.
I think from this new interest in STEM education buzzing around our preschools and up has in part caused the huge explosion of amazing STEM themed children’s books in recent years.
These days whatever you are learning about – there is likely to be a STEM related picture book to entertain, engage, and education as part of your exploration or unit.
Leaves? Yup, there are beautiful ones.
The Ocean? Oh goodness – SO many.
Outerspace? Here’s a week’s worth.
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Science Books for Preschoolers
If your kid loves animals then Steve Jenkins is a name you need to know. His nonfiction books about animals span everything from odd to quirky to icky to adorable and every single one is fascinating. Actual Size is a super cool book about the size of things. It really brings to life the amazing size of animals in a way that just reading the stats can’t possibly do justice.
Shark Lady
by Jess Keating
I recently heard Jess Keating interviewed on a podcast I listen to and she is just as interesting and funny and down to earth as you would imagine reading her books. Make sure to pop over to her site for loads of useful resources.
Shark Lady was one of our obsessions over the summer. It is beautiful and fascinating. A rare and wonderful biography for kids about a really cool woman and scientist.
If You Find a Rock
Photos by Barbara Hirsch Lember Written by Peggy Christian
This rock gave me a whole new appreciation for the rocks my kids bring into our house by the pocket-full. Gorgeous photography and simple poetic language.
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr Patricia Bath
by Julia Finley Mosca
How is it possible that I have not heard of Dr. Patricia Bath until I read this book? Granted I don’t spend a lot of time in the world of eye doctors, but still. She is awesome. Julia Finley Mosca articulates Dr Bath’s laundry list of accomplishments with a poetic, rhyming style that carries you through her life story in a way that is far from the boring, droning resume reading style of so many children’s book biographies. Instead, you are left in awe of an incredible woman and her barrier breaking career inspired by a chemistry set, encouraging parents, and an inquisitive girl. My daughter loved this book. She saw her self in the curious little New Yorker who plays with her brother and I can only hope she saw how much amazing potential the world carries for people who drive, bravery and perseverance like Dr. Bath.
Books about the Weather
My son went through a huge weather phase where he was interested in all things thunderstorms, tornadoes, etc. You can find A Week’s Worth of Weather Read Alouds and our Preschool Weather Unit if you have a kiddo similarly intrigued.
Moonshot : The Flight of Apollo 11
by Brian Floca
We are a huge fan of Brian Floca and this book is no exception. Stunning illustrations, fascinating information, and amazing retelling of the story of Apollo 11 for the next generation. It is just one of many awesome books about space, but it is a favorite in our house.
Also Read: 15+ Picture Books about Astronauts & Outer Space
Books about Whales
You can find picture books about most animals these days. I have a current obsession with picture books about whales. There are a host of truly incredible books about whales right now. Here are my absolute favorites.
Books about the Human Body
There are so many wonderful books about the human body for kids. Our favorites are HERE.
Little Kids First Big Book of Why
by Amy Shields
My kids were gifted this when they turned 3 – you know, right around the time they start asking “why” to absolutely everything and apparently never stop? It was a perfect gift and three years later is still a well loved book on our shelf.
Technology Books for Preschoolers
It’s a Book
by Lane Smith
This one is more about the differences between reading a book and using a computer. It is all about the love of books and it is hilarious.
Doug Unplugged by Dan Yaccarino
Charming story about a little robot who unplugs one day and heads out into the world. There are a few in the series if you fall in love with sweet little Doug like we did.
Telephone
by Mac Barnett
There are a few books about phones and this one is less about technology but it is the best one I had on my shelf. It is also a delight for anyone who remembers playing this game as a kid.
Lift the Flap Computers and Coding
by Rosie Dickins
This colorful lift the flap way is a fun introduction to computers and coding.
Engineering Books for Preschoolers
Violet the Pilot
by Steve Breen
Violet is a mechanical genius who loves building flying contraptions. The kids at school think she is odd, but Violet is determined to show everyone at the Air Show when she wins the blue ribbon. On the day of the big event disaster strikes keeping Violet from the show. How will she win respect now? Violet is an endearing character who will have you rooting for her from start to finish.
Mix and Match Inventors: Flip the Pages to Create Incredible Inventions
by Jane Wilsher and Mar Hernandez
This nonfiction book pairs science with inventions. There are two columns to flip through. On one side is the power. Coal powered, electric powered, gear activated, or electro-magnetic – this side has all kinds of ways to power a machine and a little of the science and vocabulary that go with them. The other side is inventions. From the bicycle to robo-dogs and flying saucers, this side shows different inventions and a little about how they work. The book is created so that you can pair different ideas together which is both creativity inspiring and silly. Rocket-powered vacuum cleaner anyone?
The Carpenter
by Bruna Barros
There are a ton of fun books about tools but I am newly in love with this little wordless gem. A little boy, his dad and some tools. That is all it takes to make this little book a magical story about imagination. This one leaves me feeling full of possibility.
Oscar and the Bird: A Book about Electricity
by Geoff Waring
This one is all about electricity and my son wore his copy out reading it again and again before bed. We learned a lot about machines that need electricity to work and why we always need to be careful around wires, batteries, plugs, and sockets.
LEGO Chain Reactions
by Klutz
I mentioned above that one of my kids is obsessed with experiments. He loves coming up with his own and following ones laid out for him in various books. I’ve lost track of how many experiment books we own and how many we have borrowed from the library. There are a lot of good ones, but this is his current obsession at it is great.
See Inside How Things Work by Conrad Mason
This is a fascinating lift the flap book about machines and gadgets from car engines and toilets to submarines and more. For a kid who wants to understand how everything works, this is perfect. 3+
The Marvelous Thing That Came from a Spring
by Gilbert Ford
Did you know that the Slinky was a mistake? It was an accidental invention and I love the example this gives kids of how sometimes mistakes are the best thing that could possibly happen. We are smitten.
If I Built a Car
by Chris Van Dusen
This one is about creativity, imagination and engineering in it’s most fabulous way. Chris Van Dusen writes fantastic read alouds and this one had my kids full of ideas for tinkering and building afterwards.
Building Our House
by Jonathan Bean
Inspired by an amazing true story, Building Our House is the story of a family that buys a piece of land and slowly builds their own house. Step by step the reader is walked through what it takes to build a house. The tools, the foundation, the insides, and most importantly the time. An afterward shares Jonathan Bean’s story that he remembers primarily through photographs taken during the five years it took his parents to build their home. He tells the story through the eyes of his oldest sister. A daring adventure for a young family to undertake that demonstrates fortitude and patience that is rarely seen in today’s world. A remarkable story and fascinating look at the details involved in creating a home. 2+
Math Books for Preschoolers
When the Teddy Bears Came
by Martin Waddell
This sweet classic is the story of a little child who gets a new baby in the family. One by one family and friends come and bring teddy bears. It’s a nice book to read aloud but also a fun one to do some addition with as the bears appear.
Little Houses : A Counting Book by Helen Musselwhite
Darling book that reminds me of the great Mitsumasa Anno. Bright colorful houses and a whole host of things to count. 2+
Also Read ->>Â Favorite Counting Books for Kids.
Max’s Math
by Kate Banks
This is a silly book encourages looking for problems to solve, finding creative solutions, and celebrates math in all forms along the way.
Ada’s Ideas: The Story of Ada Lovelace
by Fiona Robinson
Ada Lovelace was the World’s First Computer Programmer and has been the subject of several picture books in the past couple of years. I love the textured illustrations in this one.
STEM: A little of everything
Books for Preschoolers
Andrea Beaty really gained a following with the launch of Iggy Peck Architect, but she has written a huge collection of wonderful books. Visit her website and I think you will be pleasantly surprised with how many friends you see on her authored bookshelf – if not you have a ton of books to look for now!
Ada Twist, Scientist is my favorite by Beaty. It is the third in her little sort of series that started with Iggy. I love them all, but I truly adore spunky Ada and I love her parents. I want to be her parents for my children.
