Best STEM Books for Kids by Age — Part 2 of Our Ultimate Reading List
More STEM Books Your Kids Will Actually Want to Read
Because one list was never going to be enough
If you caught our first STEM reading roundup, you already know how much the right book at the right age can do for a curious kid. A great STEM read doesn’t just teach facts, it shifts how a child sees the world and their place in it. The response to part one was so great that we had to keep going.
Before we dive in, if you haven’t read part one yet, go check it out first. There are some really great picks in there sorted by age that are absolutely worth starting with. Ready for more? Here we go.
👉🏽 Read Part 1 of our STEM Book Recommendations here before diving into this one!
📚 Ages 4 to 6 — Little Learners, Big Ideas
This age group is all about wonder. The best STEM books for early readers use colorful illustrations, simple language, and relatable characters to make big concepts feel exciting and approachable.
Firefly Song: Lynn Frierson Faust and the Great Smoky Mountain Discovery By Colleen Paeff, illustrated by Ji-Hyuk Kim (Simon & Schuster)
A beautifully illustrated picture book about a woman who spent decades studying fireflies and ultimately made a groundbreaking discovery. It’s a gentle, inspiring story about patience, curiosity, and what happens when you pay close attention to the natural world. Perfect for little ones who love being outside. Selected as one of NSTA’s Best STEM Books for 2026.
Lots of Things to Know About Robots By Usborne (Ages 6+)
Bite-sized facts about robots that are easy to remember and keep kids buzzing with excitement. A great one to leave on the coffee table, kids will pick it up over and over.
The Great Pollinator Count By Susan Edwards Richmond, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Peachtree)
A sweet, visually rich book about citizen science and the importance of pollinators. It introduces the idea that ordinary people (including kids) can contribute to real scientific discoveries. A wonderful way to get little ones excited about nature and observation.
📚 Ages 7 to 10 — Building Curiosity Into Real Skills
Kids in this age range are ready to dig deeper. They want to know not just what something is, but how it works and why it matters. These picks deliver on all of that.
Design Thinking: A Guide to Innovation By Fred Estes (Lerner Publishing Group / Twenty-First Century Books) Design thinking is a six-step process used in creative problem solving, and this book makes it genuinely accessible for young readers. It’s especially great for kids who love building things, solving puzzles, or asking “what if we tried it this way instead?” Sound like anyone you know? 😄
Understanding Coding Using Scratch By Usborne (Ages 7+)
This book walks kids through making games and animations step by step, making it ideal for after-school clubs or rainy weekends. If your child has been in our coding classes, this is a fantastic companion read that lets them keep exploring at home.
The Five Sides of Marjorie Rice: How to Discover a Shape By Amy Alznauer, illustrated by Anna Bron (Candlewick Press)
The true story of a self-taught mathematician who made a discovery that stumped the math world, from her kitchen table. It’s warm, wonderful, and a powerful reminder that brilliance doesn’t always look the way we expect it to.
Just in Case: Saving Seeds in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault By Megan Clendenan, illustrated by Brittany Cicchese (Charlesbridge)
A fascinating look at one of the most important conservation projects in the world. This book sparks conversations about science, global thinking, and why it matters to plan ahead — concepts that connect beautifully to the engineering and problem-solving mindset we build at iCode.
📚 Ages 10 to 14 — For the Kid Who Asks “But How Does It Actually Work?”
Older kids are ready for books that challenge them, spark debate, and open up bigger questions about the world.
Understanding AI By Usborne (Ages 10+)
This book explains big AI ideas simply, covering chatbots, image generators, and how machines learn. Given how much AI is shaping the world right now, this is a must-read for any kid curious about technology — and a great conversation starter for the whole family.
Climate: How Wladimir Köppen Studied the Weather and Drew the First Climate Map By Darcy Pattison, illustrated by Peter Willis (Mims House)
The story of a teenager who became fascinated by how landscapes changed as he traveled and made it his life’s work. A compelling read about following a scientific obsession wherever it leads — and the kind of patience and dedication that leads to real breakthroughs.
Detective Dogs: How Working Dogs Sniff Out Invasive Species By Alison Pearce Stevens (Holiday House)
A genuinely fascinating look at how dogs are being trained to detect invasive species in the wild. It combines biology, environmental science, and animal behavior in a way that feels more like an adventure story than a textbook. Great for kids who love animals and the outdoors as much as they love science.
500 Engineering Facts for Kids By Jacie Maslyk
This book opens children’s eyes to different types of engineering, covering mechanical, aerospace, civil, electrical, robotics, and chemical engineering through 500 fun facts. A perfect pick for any kid who loves to build, take things apart, or wonder how everything around them was designed.
Why Reading and STEM Go Together Better Than You Think
One thing we always tell parents is that reading and STEM aren’t separate worlds. The best engineers, coders, and scientists are also strong communicators and creative thinkers — and that starts with books. Research from the National Science Foundation shows that children who engage with science-themed books before age 7 are significantly more likely to pursue STEM careers. Every page your child turns is building something.
At iCode Ravenswood, we combine that love of learning with hands-on experience. We want our students to read about robotics, coding, and engineering. If your child has been inspired by any of these books and is ready to take their curiosity further, we’d love to be the place where that happens.
👉🏽Explore our programs and summer camps at iCode Ravenswood, and let’s keep the learning going. Check Out Our Camps Here
Happy reading from all of us at iCode Ravenswood. 💙
