Picture books about girls and women in STEM

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.

  • Rosa’s Big Sunflower Experiment

    by Jessica Spanyol 

    2020 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Disability

    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.

  • Suzy Orbit, Astronaut

    by Ruth Quayle, illustrated by Jez Tuya 

    2019 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    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.

  • Rosie Revere, Engineer

    by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts 

    2013 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

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

  • Martha Maps it Out

    by Leigh Hodgkinson 

    2022 4 to 7 years 

    • Around the world
    • Picture books

    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.

  • Ada Twist, Scientist

    by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts 

    2016 4 to 9 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    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

    by Pip Jones, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie 

    2017 5 to 9 years 

    • Funny
    • Picture books

    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!

    by Kate Pankhurst 

    2023 5 to 9 years 

    • Picture books

    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. 

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