Favorite Books for a Women in Science Theme

It’s fun to read about women who’ve done amazing things, and Women’s History Month (or any time) is a great time to do it! Here are some of our favorite books for a women in science theme!

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Just choose books based on your child’s age and what you think will engage your child’s interest. I recommend checking out the “Read sample” feature on Amazon and reading reviews there. Another place to learn about a book is on YouTube. You can typically see the entire book there.

Montessori-friendly books use photos or realistic illustrations. They don’t have talking animals or a lot of fantasy. But many books that have fantasy and talking animals are wonderful books, and I love sharing them with children who understand the difference between fantasy and reality.

For toddlers and preschoolers, about ¾ of the books I use are typically Montessori friendly (focusing on reality without smiling or talking animals or smiling or talking vehicles). 

Books for a Women in Science Theme

I’m featuring books here for preschoolers through elementary-age kids.

Here’s a special Instagram reel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Deb Chitwood | Montessori (@livingmontessorinow)

Top Shelf of Forward -Facing Display:

• Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls (This is an amazing series! Each book probably includes some notable women in science.)
• Black Women in Science
• Women in Chemistry (In this series, there are also Women in Biology and Women in Physics)

2nd Shelf:

• I love the She Persisted book series! So many great books for Women’s History Month (or any time)! For our women in science unit, we’re using She Persisted in Science: Brilliant Women Who Made a Difference as one of our books.
• The book Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World has 2-page spreads  for 50 notable women in science. 
• Scientist, Scientist, Who Do You See? (This isn’t just women, but I appreciate that there are as many women as men.)

3rd Shelf:

• Thinking Like A Scientist: The Guide To Scientific Thinking For Kids Through The Adventure Of Sofia
• I love the Little People, Big Dreams book series, and the Marie Curie book works well for preschoolers through first graders.
• Mae Among the Stars

4th Shelf:

• I Am Jane Goodall book is part of the Ordinary People Change the World book series.
• Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist (This award-winning book tells the story of Eugenie Clark who spent her life studying zoology and working to prove that sharks weren’t mindless killers but beautiful animals that should be appreciated and protected. Recommended for ages 4-8.)
• Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist

Bottom Shelf

• Evelyn the Adventurous Entomologist: The True Story of a World-Traveling Bug Hunter
• Reach for the Stars (by Emily Calandrelli of the Netflix series Emily’s Wonder Lab)
• I Love Science

A peace table is another good place for a book about scientist and educator Maria Montessori (Little People, Big Dreams). I love having a Maria Montessori peg doll for our peace table as well.

On another shelf and in a book basket I had a number of fun books, such as

• Ada Twist, Scientist
• Magic School Bus books. Magic School Bus books were favorites of my now-adult kids, and now they’re favorites of my grandkids! I like the original series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen (3 of the original series shown here) the best, although all the books have science facts presented in an entertaining way. I also like to use the Magic School Bus Presents books with non-fiction companions to the original Magic School Bus books. Of course, this series is best for children who can tell fantasy from reality. It’s been popular in my family from age 4 on.

In a book basket, I had more books for a women in science theme:

• More Magic School Bus books. I have more of the original series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen (my favorites) along with Magic School Bus science readers. (My almost-6-year-old grandson loves and often reads books from both series.) I also have the Magic School Bus Presents books with non-fiction companions to the original Magic School Bus books.
• Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls 2 (This is an amazing series! Each book probably includes some notable women in science.)
• Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World
• National Geographic Kids Little Kids First Big Book of Science isn’t about women in science, but it has lots of great science information that’s easy to understand along with gorgeous photos. I’m a fan of the National Geographic Kids Little Kids First Big Book series! We have (and love) most of the books in the series!

You can see more books here: Women in Science Books for Kids (including books as they’re published)

 

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