Everything You Need to Find the Best Science Book for your Child



Children have a natural tendency to explore what they don’t know. We as parents want what’s best for our kids, and when it comes to expanding their minds, there’s nothing better than sitting down and reading a good science book. The best way to pique a child’s interest is by introducing them to colorful picture books of the wildest, most fascinating topics.



We’ve sifted through hundreds of different child-friendly science books to find what we think most kids would absolutely love. Any of these books picked out by our editors will surely challenge your child to learn more.



3 Types of Science Books for Children



You may think that a book is a book, but when it comes to science, books are one of the keys to a more creative and independent mind. Before picking any book off the shelf, we first need to know what types of science books are available.



Subject-Focused



These books teach children about a particular field of science. They are great for expanding an established interest by offering in-depth explanations about what they know and love.

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Pros:



Detailed explanations



Does not stray from your child’s interest



Cons:



Limited scope

Your child may not like the subject

Encyclopedias



Not sure which science discipline fascinates your child the most? Get a book that teaches them a bit of everything. They may focus on only one or two subjects, but they’ll also get a chance to learn about everything in between.

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Pros:



A little bit of everything

Easy-to-read explanations on various fields

Cons:



No in-depth topic focus

Your child may only like a portion of the book

Science Experiments



The best part of science class is watching the teacher mix chemicals and seeing how they react together. Books that instruct how to carry out your own science project are a great way to show children that science is all around us.

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Pros:



Children learn by doing

Teaches how to follow instructions

Cons:



May require tools and/or supplies to conduct experiments

Experiments may cause injury (children must be supervised)

Basics of Kid-Friendly Science Books – What They Hope to Achieve



Science books aren’t just for filling your child’s mind with facts and figures. Generally speaking, kid-friendly science books are authored with three non-mutually exclusive goals in mind: to help with schoolwork, to demonstrate, or to inspire.



To Help with Schoolwork



Oftentimes, school children may not receive the exact materials they need to learn a certain science topic. A topic-focused science book can give your child an edge in the classroom by equipping them with knowledge not accessible in a school-issued textbook.



To Demonstrate Science



Sometimes, a child may have an idea but not the methods of actualizing their thoughts. Science books can teach children different methodologies in conducting their own projects, instilling in them a greater sense of independence.



To Inspire Exploration



Some of the best science books inspire children to think for themselves, either by showing examples of famous scientists or by mapping out the thought process in an easily comprehensible way. These books are great for expanding your child’s mind and coaching them on how to think outside of the box.



How to Pick the Best Kid-Friendly Science Book



Give your child a university-level book on a particular discipline and they’ll probably fall asleep. It’s important that the books you get for your children can actually teach them a thing or two about science by drawing and retaining their attention. Here are a few tips on how to find the right book for your child.



Reading Level



Although a child cannot learn without reading, a book containing too many letters or words can produce the opposite of the intended effects. The words and language used in the book should relate to your child’s reading level.



Illustrations



A picture is worth a thousand words. Illustrations can help drive the point of a certain experiment or subject that evokes a positive response from your child. Colorful books are best at holding your child’s attention, but they may also distract them from the main lesson.



Age-Appropriateness

Science books are made for different age groups. In general, science books for pre-teens and teenagers are wordier and contain fewer images. Instead, they focus more heavily on explaining the topic in word form. The book’s cover may not offer a suggested age level so you will have to be the judge.



Number of Pages

The thickness of the book can either create or diminish your child’s fascination with science. Children between the ages of 5 and 10 years generally respond better to books containing fewer than 100 pages, whereas older children in grades 6 and up will seek a greater challenge.



Recommended Science Topics that Kids Will Enjoy



Science is too broad a term to describe the mysteries that enshroud our planet and beyond. The following science topics are some of the most easily understood by children while also pushing them to question everything.



The Human Body



The best place to start is from within one’s self. Basic anatomy books educate children about how certain organs work, their significance, and why it’s important to stay healthy. Give your child/future doctor a leg-up by handing them a booklet about the human body.



Space and the Universe



It may be too late to be the first man to step foot on the moon, but space holds more questions than answers. Our expanding universe has 30 billion planets that are all waiting to be explored. Basic astronomy knowledge may be the key to help your child build interest in space and maybe one day work for NASA.



The Animal Kingdom



As mystifying as space is, our own planet is home to a mind-boggling number of alien-like animals, most of which have yet to be discovered. Plus, kids can’t get enough of animals – from scaly snakes to furry ferrets to humungous hippos!



Technology



Technology has made our world what it is today. Everything we use is a result of scientists attempting to create a means to achieve a simpler way of life. These books teach children about robots, computers, and several other machines that have made living in the modern world a true blessing. The world can never have too many engineers and scientists.



Mathematics



Math is perhaps one of the least-liked subjects in school, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Non-school-issued math books generally don’t force numbers and symbols down your child’s throat but instead talk about the importance and significance of numbers in everyday life. Everything has a design, and those designs are all based on careful calculations.



Electricity



Electricity is the blood that keeps modern society running. Children may be fascinated to learn about the intricacies of harnessing electricity after hearing about the untrue account of Benjamin Franklin’s “introduction” to lightning.



Inventions



Kids with deeper thoughts may ponder how certain inventions came to being. These books can help children learn about the thought process behind certain inventions, how they are made, and how demand can dictate supply. Hey, the may even become the next Nikola Tesla!



Plants



Basic agriculture books not only talk about the importance of plants for sustenance, but they can also become the driving force behind growing their very own backyard garden. The best results of learning about science is putting your knowledge to use, and one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways of doing so is starting and tending to a bean patch.



Evolution



Although a controversial subject in many places on the planet, the Theory of Evolution has become a staple of understanding how humans and animals are how they are. These books are excellent at demonstrating how we, as humans, are a part of the system rather than the center of it. Evolution books for children explain the theory in simple words and with tons of illustrations.



Time



The manmade concept of time is an interesting subject that children may not even think about. These books help stimulate a creative mind by showing how the simplest things were once almost entirely misunderstood. Books on the subject of time are definitely for children with natural inclinations to learn.



