Girls and Women in STEM (Picture Books)

Rosa's Big Sunflower Experiment Cover

Over the years, there have been some inspiring and important women working in science, technology, engineering and maths. Here we highlight a selection of amazing picture books showing girls and women being brilliant in STEM areas of life.

Books for older readers

  • Suzy Orbit, Astronaut

    Suzy Orbit, Astronaut

    Author: Ruth Quayle Illustrator: Jez Tuya
    Publisher: Nosy Crow
    Interest age: 4-7
    Reading age: 6+

    Suzy Orbit, an engineer, lives on the moon and come sup with lots of ingenious solutions to life there. This STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) focused picture book explores concepts of remaking, reusing and making do.

  • An Engineer Like Me book cover

    An Engineer Like Me

    Author: Dr Shini Somara Illustrator: Nadja Sarell
    Publisher: Hachette Children's
    Interest age: 4-8
    Reading age: 6+

    Zara is fascinated by the world around her - how do planes stay up? How do rollercoaster go upside down? Why don't skyscrapers fall over? With the help of her Gran, Zara starts to explore the incredible feats of engineering which have changed our lives.

  • Ada Twist, Scientist

    Ada Twist, Scientist

    Author: Andrea Beaty Illustrator: David Roberts
    Publisher: Abrams
    Interest age: 4-8
    Reading age: 7+

    A brilliant and beautiful rhyming book about supporting your child's curiosity, and taking inspiration from Ada Lovelace (the pioneer mathematician and programmer), this is an inspirational and entertaining read.

  • Izzy Gizmo

    Izzy Gizmo

    Author: Pip Jones Illustrator: Sara Ogilvie
    Publisher: Simon & Schuster
    Interest age: 5-7
    Reading age: 5-7

    Izzy Gizmo is a girl that loves inventing things: the Swirly Spagsonic, the Tea-Mendous and the Beardtastic, for instance. But unfortunately, something always goes wrong...  

  • We are All Astronauts

    We Are All Astronauts!

    Author: Kate Pankhurst
    Publisher: Bloomsbury
    Interest age: 6-8
    Reading age: 4+

    Luna and her granny learn how to be astronauts together. Packed with space facts, and brilliantly illustrated, this is inspiring STEM content for any child. 

  • Rosa's Big Sunflower Experiment Cover

    Rosa's Big Sunflower Experiment

    Author: Jessica Spanyol
    Publisher: Child's Play
    Interest age: 2-5

    Rosa and her friends are growing sunflowers. The industrious team of children fill pots with soil, tenderly plant seeds and then carefully label and position their plants. This is one of a series of books following Rosa and her friends as they undertake a range of simple but inspiring projects guaranteed to stimulate children’s interest in STEM subjects.

  • Martha Maps it Out

    Martha Maps it Out

    Author: Leigh Hodgkinson
    Publisher: Oxford University Press
    Interest age: 4-5
    Reading age: 7+

    Martha loves making maps! In this charming and original picture book, follow Martha as she takes you on a tour of her world and shares her hopes and dreams for the future.

    Gan gyfuno labeli ffeithiol â manylion difyr yn benodol i sefyllfa Martha ei hun, mae hwn yn llyfr sy'n cynnig dysgu heb fod yn drwm a neges bositif am freuddwydio'n fawr. 

  • Rosie Revere, Engineer

    Rosie Revere, Engineer

    Author: Andrea Beaty Illustrator: David Roberts
    Publisher: Abrams
    Interest age: 4+
    Reading age: 7+

    Rosie Revere dreams of becoming a great engineer. She creates wonderful gadgets and gizmos - but only when no one is watching.