One of my daughters started asking questions about the differences between boys and girls recently.
What did we do about it? We looked for a book.
Got a child experiencing or wondering about something new? Get a book about it. That seems to be how our family handles things anyway.
Books can be such a great way to introduce different experiences, feelings, places and concepts. Anything new at all really.
Children take what is presented to them in books at face value. Which is why it’s so important that the books we present them with show the world we want them to see. A diverse world, a fair world and an equal world.
There are so many books to choose from though, so below I’ve given you my recommendations for presenting STEM ideas and people with diversity and equality for children from ages 2-12.
1. Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering
Authors: Ruth Spiro and Irene Chan
Recommended ages: 1-3
About: Part of the Baby Loves Science series, this book explores the basics of flight, tying it all into a baby's world.
2. Future Engineer
Author: Lori Alexander
Recommended ages: 2-4
About: Part of the Future Baby series, this book sees Baby showing curiosity about how things work as she proves she has what it takes to become an engineer.
3. Ada Twist Scientist
Author: Andrea Beaty
Recommended ages: 4-7
About: Part of the series made famous by the award-winning Rosie Revere, in this book Ada Twist demonstrates boundless curiosity and love of science as she questions 'Why?' and investigates to find out answers for herself.
4. The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: the Story of Dr. Patricia Bath
Author: Julia Finley Mosca
Recommended ages: 4-7
About: In this award-winning book, read about the real life story of Patricia Bath. Readers find out how Patricia made it her mission to become a doctor and persevered even when racism, poverty and sexism got in her way. It also includes a complete biography, fun facts and a timeline to connect with her real life achievements.
5. The Girl with a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague
Author: Julia Finley Mosca
Recommended ages: 4-8
About: This award winning book, forms part of the same series as Dr. Patricia Bath above. In this story, we discover Raye Montague and her journey to becoming an engineer. Readers learn about how sexism and racial inequality challenged her dream, even meaning her greatest achievement was kept a secret for decades. It again includes a complete biography, fun facts and a timeline.
6. Counting on Katherine
Author: Helaine Becker
Recommended ages: 5-9
About: This authorised biography follows the true story of Katherine Johnson from her gifted childhood when she loved to count everything, to her role as the mathematical genius who helped make the historic Apollo 11 moon landings possible.
7. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race
Author: Margot Shetterly
Recommended ages: 5-8
About: This picture book brings the inspiring true story of four women who helped NASA launch the first men into space. Featuring Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden, it shows how being really good at maths can help you change the world.
8. 101 Black Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: Leaders in Black History
Author: L.A. Amber
Recommended ages: 7+
About: This book honours incredible and inspiring black women from across all the sciences from the 1800s up to the present day. It gives information about the cultural attitudes, historical forces and social realities that made science what it is today. It also includes some information about STEM-related concepts and associated careers in a motivating and engaging way.
Inventors & Makers and Little STEAMers award-winning classes bring high quality STEM learning to children aged 2-12 wherever you are in the world and whatever your background.
See more on my website.
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We have chosen books that we recommend impartially.Â
Amazing Laura, I love this. Have preorderd our "Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Put Astronauts on the Moon" thank you for this. Will share your blog with our classroom group. Nxx