With World Book Day being right around the corner I thought I would share some of my favourite and most inspiring/useful KS2 Science/STEM books. They inspire pupils at my school and really engage them in Science/STEM subjects. They have been great for developing projects/work in school and also the children just love reading/sharing them. They all link to the KS2 curriculum.
The Most Important Animal of All- Penny Worms.
This is a beautiful book which combines lovely illustrations and photographs. It explores which is the most important animal to the survival of the planet. We based our Science Week 2023 on this book. Activities undertaken included research linked to science, geography and the environment. Children created art, debated their opinions and findings, utilised maths knowledge, created poetry/raps and honed their presenting skills to share their viewpoints with the rest of the school- culminating in a school wide vote to decide just which is the most important!
Actual Size- Steve Jenkins
My favourite- children can see the actual size of giant butterflies, a gorilla's hand, a shark's mouth and more. Beautiful illustrations and so great for pupils to get a sense of size in nature.
Rosie Revere, Engineer- Andrea Beaty
The Pebble in my Pocket- Meredith Hooper & Chris Coady
Stone Girl, Bone Girl- Laurence Anholt
Brick, Who Found Herself in Architecture- Joshua David Stein
This is brilliant in engaging all including girls into engineering with this lovely storybook which gives a small brick a character and thought, regarding beautiful architecture around the world.
Under Your Feet- RHS- Dr Jackie Stroud
Eye to Eye- Steve Jenkins
Just a Second- Steve Jenkins
1000 STEM words- Jules Pottle
Moth- An Evolution Story- Isabel Thomas
This book is beautiful and great for use in Y6 Evolution and Inheritance- we use this every year in this unit of work and it always inspires some amazing work and understanding.
Curious- The Story of a Mars Rover- Markus Motum
You are Stardust- Elin Kelsey
Diversity and Inclusion
My Shadow is Pink- Scott Stuart
My Y3 class broke into applause when I read this book to them. Highly recommended and a great way to remove barriers for pupils.
The Proudest Blue- Ibtihaj Muhammad and S K Ali.
Highly recommended and a great way to remove barriers for pupils/ inform and develop understanding amongst pupils.
The Little Red Fort- Brenda Maier
I am not a Label- Cerrie Burnell
A fantastic book suitable right across KS2, with amazing stories of innovating, inspiring and diverse people who lived/ are living through varying barriers due to stereotyping/racism. This is an amazing book which aims to break these barriers and includes individuals from Mozart and Stephen Hawking to Lady Gaga and Ade Adepatan.
Hats of Faith- Medeia Cohan-Petrolino
Highly recommended and a great way to remove barriers for pupils/ inform and develop understanding amongst pupils
Perfectly Norman- Tom Percival
A beautiful book for KS2 pupils to enjoy.
These are all highly recommended- I hope you can access some of them so your pupils can get as much pleasure from them as I have done.