10+ Best Stem Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect way to spark curiosity and a love for learning in your little one? Look no further! Our roundup of Stem Books for 5-Year-Olds is packed with engaging picks that are just right for their age and budding interests. From stories that weave in science and math concepts to interactive books that invite exploration, we've got something that will capture the imagination of every young reader. Keep reading to discover our favorite selections that are sure to inspire and educate!

Fun Stem Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Rosie, a bright young girl, dreams of becoming an engineer. Through her attempts to build amazing gadgets, she learns important lessons about perseverance and failure.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and resilience, showing young readers that failure is just a stepping stone to success.
  • Perfect for: Young inventors and creators who love building and experimenting.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life scientists, Ada Twist is a curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world around her.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes curiosity and scientific inquiry, which are fundamental in the STEM fields.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters who always ask "why?" and "how?" about the world around them.

• The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: A little girl and her canine assistant set out to make the most magnificent thing, but the task is harder than she anticipates.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches resilience and the importance of perseverance in the face of frustrating challenges.
  • Perfect for: Creative minds who need encouragement to keep trying despite setbacks.

• Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding by Linda Liukas
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Coding, STEM
  • Synopsis: Ruby explores her whimsical world and solves problems by learning the basics of coding.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces basic programming concepts in a fun, accessible way that engages young minds.
  • Perfect for: Kids interested in computers and how they work, sparking an early interest in coding.

• Cece Loves Science by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes, illustrated by Vashti Harrison
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: Cece is a curious girl who loves to pose big questions and find answers through experimentation, exploring the fun side of science.
  • Why we recommend this book: It shows that science is not only about facts and figures but also about exploration and discovery.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists who are eager to explore the world through experiments.

Educational Stem Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Baby Loves Aerospace Engineering! by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chan
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, STEM
  • Synopsis: This engaging board book introduces young children to the basics of flight, from birds, to planes and rockets.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic engineering concepts, understanding of gravity and lift
  • Why we recommend this book: It breaks down complex engineering ideas into simple, digestible parts that are easy for preschoolers to understand.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers fascinated by how things fly.

• Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk
  • Genre(s): Biography, STEM
  • Synopsis: This picture book biography of Katherine Johnson, a NASA mathematician, tells the story of how her love for math saved Apollo 13.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Mathematics, history, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the achievements of a groundbreaking African-American woman and inspires children with the real-world applications of mathematics.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in space exploration and the stories of unsung heroes in science.

• My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for Kids by Bruce Betts
  • Genre(s): Children's Non-Fiction, Space, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book explores the solar system, providing young readers with fascinating facts about planets, moons, and other celestial bodies.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Astronomy, critical thinking, factual knowledge
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a comprehensive introduction to our solar system, designed to spark curiosity about space.
  • Perfect for: Kids who gaze at the stars and dream of other worlds.

• The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley
  • Genre(s): Biography, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Dr. Temple Grandin, a scientist and autism spokesperson, who thinks in pictures rather than words.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Empathy, understanding of autism, animal science
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes understanding and appreciation of different ways of thinking and shows how unique perspectives can lead to success.
  • Perfect for: Children who learn visually and fans of inspiring stories about overcoming challenges.

• Astrophysics for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Science, STEM
  • Synopsis: A simple introduction to the principles of astrophysics, designed to teach young minds about the basic concepts of the universe.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Basic physics concepts, curiosity about the natural world
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces complex scientific ideas in a way that is accessible and enjoyable for toddlers.
  • Perfect for: Babies and toddlers who show an early interest in the stars and the universe.

Challenging Stem Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Quantum Physics for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Science, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book introduces young children to the basic principles of quantum physics using simple explanations and colorful illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It presents fundamental concepts of a complex scientific field in a simplified manner.
  • Why we recommend this book: It lays the groundwork for understanding advanced scientific concepts from a very young age, fostering a love for physics.
  • Perfect for: Very young children with a budding interest in science and how the universe works at a microscopic level.

• Newtonian Physics for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Physics, STEM
  • Synopsis: This engaging book explains Newton's Three Laws of Motion in simple terms that toddlers can grasp.
  • Why this book is challenging: It distills complex physical laws into basic ideas that challenge young minds to think about motion, forces, and energy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces foundational physics concepts early on, encouraging a scientific way of thinking about everyday phenomena.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers who are curious about why and how things move.

• General Relativity for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Science, STEM
  • Synopsis: A simple and clear introduction to Einstein’s theory of relativity, explaining how massive objects bend space-time.
  • Why this book is challenging: It touches on abstract scientific theories that are not typically introduced at such an early age.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages early scientific literacy and complex thinking, preparing young minds for more advanced scientific learning.
  • Perfect for: Young children who are fascinated by the universe and its vast complexities.

• Optical Physics for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Physics, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book explains how light and vision work, using simple explanations and engaging illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces young readers to the behavior of light, a topic that involves both physics and biology.
  • Why we recommend this book: It demystifies a complex subject, making it accessible and interesting to preschoolers.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers interested in science, especially how we see and perceive the world around us.

• Rocket Science for Babies by Chris Ferrie
  • Genre(s): Board Book, Aerospace, STEM
  • Synopsis: This book introduces basic concepts of aerospace engineering, including how rockets defy gravity.
  • Why this book is challenging: It covers foundational principles of flight and space travel, which are advanced topics for young learners.
  • Why we recommend this book: It sparks interest in aerospace technology and engineering, encouraging curiosity about how humans travel to space.
  • Perfect for: Young children who dream of rockets and space exploration.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 5-year-old develop good reading habits while exploring the fascinating world of STEM, you're in the right place. Here are some fun and interactive exercises that are perfect for young readers. These activities are designed to keep them engaged and make reading a fun part of their daily routine.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Set up a special corner in your home dedicated to reading.
  • How it helps: Creates a welcoming and comfortable environment that encourages reading.
  • Tips: Let your child help in setting up and decorating the nook to make it more personal and inviting.

• Story Prediction
  • What it is: Before reading a new book, ask your child what they think will happen based on the cover and title.
  • How it helps: Enhances imaginative thinking and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Discuss their predictions after reading to see which ones were right and explore why some weren't.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Go through the pictures in a STEM book before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Builds anticipation and comprehension skills by using visual clues.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to make predictions about the story and discuss the science concepts shown.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: Spend time reading books aloud with your child.
  • How it helps: Improves vocabulary and listening skills, while also bonding with your child.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pace to make the reading more dynamic and engaging.

• Character Connection
  • What it is: Encourage your child to pick a favorite character from a STEM book and imagine adventures or experiments.
  • How it helps: Helps deepen understanding of the character and the scientific concepts they explore.
  • Tips: You can extend this activity by creating drawings or simple projects based on the character's adventures.

• Book-Based Projects
  • What it is: Create small projects or experiments based on the themes or topics of the STEM book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces learning through hands-on activities and helps apply concepts in real-life scenarios.
  • Tips: Keep the projects simple and fun, using everyday materials that you can find at home.

Incorporating these exercises into your child’s reading routine will not only improve their reading skills but also spark a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Remember, the key is to keep the activities light, fun, and interactive to maintain their curiosity and enthusiasm. Happy reading and experimenting!