9 picture books that inspire a love of STEM

  • Guest recommendations

Author-illustrator Chloe Savage recommends nine fantastic books

An illustration of a fox, bumblebee and hare surrounded by a blackberry hedgerow

My Hidden Wonders picture book series comes from my belief that STEM and art are deeply connected. The Search for our Cosmic Neighbours hopes to spark curiosity in one of the greatest mysteries of our universe: are we alone? 

Knowledge should be beautiful and inspiring; here are some of my favourite books which are both. 

A collection of colourful book covers

Mrs Armitage on Wheels by Quentin Blake

Every budding engineer needs to read all the Mrs Armitage books. Full of ingenuity and imagination for creative problem-solving. Superbly written, infinitely quotable in everyday life, and utterly charming. 

One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller by Kate Read

Never has a counting book had such a brilliant ending. Genius. 

What If One Day… by Bruce Handy and Ashleigh Corrin

STEM is all about curiosity and questions, and you’ll find this here beautifully worded and visualised. Wonderfully designed, with an immersive feeling. 

The History of Information by Chris Haughton

Gorgeous. Wonderfully communicated for the age of information, it provides the balance and wisdom we all need. 

A collection of colourful book covers

Life (As We Know It) by Ziggy Hanaor and Cristobal Schmal

The story of life in our universe, beautifully and cleverly done. A brilliant collaboration of words and pictures, with wonderfully controlled pacing. 

Bothered by Bugs by Emily Gravett

I love this book. A funny and charming reminder that every living thing has a place and a purpose. 

  • Bothered by Bugs

    by Emily Gravett 

    2024 4 to 7 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    When Pete the Badger and his woodland friends clear the forest of bugs, they are surprised to discover what a disastrous impact it has on the ecosystem. A superb picture book with witty, rhyming text and exquisitelydetailed illustrations. 

Little Tree and the Wood Wide Web by Lucy Brownridge and Hannah Abbo

Trees are incredible, more so than ever thought before. This is a charming story of how trees live in communities and support each other – what a lovely thought. 

Invented by Animals by Christiane Dorion and Gosia Herba

A fascinating and beautiful book about how engineers are inspired by nature. Creative problem-solving that connects all parts of STEM, here. 

  • Invented by Animals

    by Christiane Dorian, illustrated by Gosia Herba 

    2021 5 to 14 years 

    • Around the world
    • Funny
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    This fun and informative picture book explores how animal anatomy, behaviour and skills have influenced the development of a range of human inventions. 

Everything You Need for a Treehouse by Carter Higgins and Emily Hughes

This is a wonderfully inspiring book, full of playfulness and creativity, for imaginative engineers. 

The Search for our Cosmic Neighbours by Chloe Savage is out now. 

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