Inside you’ll find: 24 AMAZING living picture books about inventors and scientists that will engage your kids and inspire them to explore the world around them. (Make that 34 after adding some new favorites!)
We’re one of those crazy families that does school through the summer. But there’s a reason to our madness! It’s so hot that going outside is just not feasible for long periods of time. PLUS we take off LOTS of time in the winter to be able to enjoy the outdoors and the holidays.
This past summer, I was looking for a short topic to study in both science AND history. Then I thought, “Why not combine them?” Hence, our study of famous scientists and inventors.
As Charlotte Mason homeschoolers, we’re always looking for books that tell an engaging story. These living books live on in our minds and hearts, help us not just take in information, but the develop character.
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Here are some of our favorite picture books about scientists and inventors. They cover a broad span of history, location, and people groups. I hope you dive into these books and inspire the next generation of scientists and inventors!
Picture Books about Scientists and Inventors:
Early Scientists and Inventors:
This first book is unique in that it covers hundreds of years of history and how one discovery leads to more. Really fascinating! I had no idea!
A really neat story about an ancient Egyptian woman who was a genius for numbers and astronomy as well as philosophy.
Even with the whole world against him, Galileo bravely look into the night sky to see what God had created. His story is one of courage that turned the world upside down.
I knew Leonardo da Vinci was brilliant, but I had no idea how many things he thought up WAY before they were invented. This book also reinforced the importance of keeping a journal.
An indepth look at the life of the man who revolutionized our understanding of physics. Cool to see what his younger years were like!
Such a fun book! This book pairs nicely with the one about Tesla and a study of electricity.
Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin
Another fun story about the genius of Ben Franklin. No problem was too big or too small for Franklin to tackle.
Learn about the courageous man who strove to write a farmer’s almanac with accurate measurements and calculations. He also wrote a stunning rebuke to Thomas Jefferson on his views on slavery that have been preserved for young readers to see. Illustrated by one of the amazing Pinkneys, this book is not to be missed!
This book is GORGEOUS and won the Caldecott. When art and science come together, it’s awe inspiring! You’ll never look at a snowflake the same way again!
Biologists:
The french naturalist, Jean Henri Fabre sure had the habit of attention down! Amazing how just observing what’s around you can lead to big things!
We enjoyed learning about Dr. Just and his discoveries related to sea creatures! I thought it was noteworthy how many different fields he studied before finding his niche.
Thoroughly enjoyed learning about this determined and observant entomologist! Fun pictures!
This book will warm every teacher’s heart that wants to raise curious students!
A delightful book about the man who is considered the world’s first geneticist. This was basically our first introduction into genes, dominance etc and there was so much to glean from this gem of a book.
Modern Inventors:
Fascinating story about Nikola and his battles with Edison over AC and DC current. We learned a TON about electricity.
Communication would never be the same after Samuel Morse invented morse code! Great illustrations!
A fascinating look at the self taught woman who kept the Brooklyn Bridge project running during her husband’s long illness.
Awesome story about one of MY hero’s Dr. Temple Grandin who is autistic and leading the way in bringing about awareness and acceptance. Her brain is a gift! Great encouragement to kids that don’t fit the mold or think outside the box.
Follows the lives of four women that ROCKED at math and brought the US space program to new heights, despite prejudices.
When a young man’s village suffers a drought and all the crops die, he doesn’t give up. Study library books and gathering materials from the dump, this heroic young man saves his people with his windmill. (Note: there is a full length novel of the same title that my boys gobbled up! Like read it three times in one week!)
Great story about a determined young girl who wouldn’t let other intimidate her! Nicknamed “Lady Edison” Ms. Knight’s story is not to be missed!
The Fabulous Flying Machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont
Did you know there’s a debate about whether the Wright brothers should hold the title for the first flight? Find out the story of Alberto Santos-Dumont and his incredible accomplishments to the field of aviation.
Fun Inventions:
A whimsical story about the invention of the doughnut! What’s not to love! It reminds us that all sorts of things are invented for all sorts of reasons.
Stunning illustrations highlight the story of the first Ferris wheel and the world’s fair. In this book we were reintroduced to other inventors of the time like Edison and Tesla.
I’ll never look at a crayon in the same way again! Kids everywhere will cheer their gratitude for not having to use charcoal, paint, or pencils to create artwork.
Another fun one about perfecting the art of bubble gum. Warning: this book got my kids on a bubble blowing kick! 🙂
Very interesting book about an invention that changed the way the world relaxes. My boys think he’s a hero!
Mathematicians:
Fun book about a boy that made friends with numbers. The book highlights that even though we’re all different, we all have strengths.
On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein
Einstein’s mother was told that her son was an idiot. I loved this book for the hope it brought to folks that don’t do well in traditional schools yet excel at thinking beyond the norm.
Fictional Inspiration:
One of our all-time favorite picture books EVER! This is a fictional take on a true story about a man who tried to invent a submarine in Chicago’s Lake Michigan. The illustrations are vivid and hilarious! The father is never deterred by failure and his family is full of grace and good ideas! Absolutely LOVE!
Another fictional story that encourages kids to try crazy things and that failures are just stepping stones to success. I really enjoyed the rhyming text!
Ada Twist, Scientist
We didn’t read this one yet, but it’s by the same creators of Rosie Revere, so I expect good things!
Collections:
Picture History of Great Inventors
This is a great reference book with over 50 inventors highlighted! Great introduction to whet a child’s appetite to explore the life of more inventors.
Brilliant Ideas From Wonderful Women: 15 incredible inventions from inspiring women!
Fun collection of a bunch of women and their contributions and problem solving skills!
Do you know of any other picture books about inventors and scientists? Let me know in the comments below! We can’t have too many!
Julie is a frazzled mom of three tornadoes. As a dorky second-generation homeschooler, she writes about learning and play, natural living, special needs parenting and matters of the heart. She serves an astounding God that radically saved her. Follow My Mundane and Miraculous Life through social media!
[…] summer, we combined history and science by studying the lives of famous scientists and inventors. These picture books about scientists and inventors inspired hours of creativity and dreaming that could very well change the course of my boys […]