Science Books for Kids
We’re passionate about ensuring literacy is accessible to every child, as it is essential for a happy, successful life. This collection sparks curiosity about how the world works for readers ages 5 to 9. Each book introduces scientific concepts in accessible ways that encourage questions and wonder.
Bigger Blossoms!
Ladybug has found a teeny, tiny vine in the yard, and she is certain she can grow it into the most magnificent garden anyone has ever seen. But have you ever watched a vine climb a little too quickly? What happens when golden blossoms, fat pumpkins, and curling tendrils start wrapping around everything in sight? Snail tries to warn her, but Ladybug has big plans! This decodable reader practises suffixes in words like ‘brightly,’ ‘proudly,’ ‘quickly,’ ‘growers,’ and ’lovely.’
Not That Colour!
Ned the farmer has a problem - his new leather armour is plain, boring brown, and he wants to look AMAZING! Can a handful of red and yellow flowers from the fields really turn into something better? With his magic Book guiding him, Ned squeezes, mixes, and dyes his way through one silly colour after another. Will he ever find the perfect shade? This decodable reader practises the ‘ough’ phonogram in words like ‘although,’ ‘brought,’ ’enough,’ ’though,’ and ’tough.’
Catch That Dragonfly!
The homework assignment of a lifetime: catch a real insect and study it up close! But when Kim picks the fastest bug in the playground, can two kids really outsmart a dragonfly that darts at lightning pace? Every time they get close, it zips away like it notices their every move. What clever trick might finally work? This decodable reader practises the soft c sound in words like ‘centre,’ ‘circle,’ ’notice,’ and ‘silence.’
Don't Mix All Three!
Red, Yellow, and Blue Dinosaur have one colourful job: paint the whole grey neighbourhood! Red is bold and fiery, Yellow is sunny and giggly, and Blue has actually read the rulebook. Mix two colours and something magical happens - but what about that one big rule nobody is supposed to break? What could possibly happen if three silly dinosaurs mixed all three colours at once? This decodable reader practises 3+ syllable words such as ‘beautiful,’ ‘dangerous,’ ‘incredible,’ and ‘wonderful.’
Drop Them Both!
On a sunny hillside, a curious boy holds a heavy rock in one hand and a soft feather in the other. Which one will hit the ground first? And just how much heavier is that rock, really? With Dad’s help, a flask of water, and a set of scales, he sets out to weigh everything from feathers to the whole planet Earth! This decodable reader practises compound words such as ‘hillside,’ ‘driveway,’ ‘sunshine,’ ‘raindrop,’ and ‘outweigh.’
Microbes
Zara has one wild dream - to discover a brand new microbe that nobody has ever found before. When a stinky green cloud rolls out of the lab fridge, most people pinch their noses and run. But Zara? She leans in and sniffs. Could a rotten piece of fruit really be hiding a secret creature waiting to be named? This decodable reader practises 2-syllable open words such as ’tiny,’ ‘over,’ ‘data,’ and ‘going.’
Ping and the Gang
Dive beneath the waves with Ping the fish! From warm, sunny reefs where pink things cling to the rocks, to icy seas where cod and squid hang on in the deep, the Minecraft ocean is full of wonder. But what happens when junk starts to wreck the sea? Can Ping, Tang, and their gang help life spring back to all things? This decodable reader practises the ’ng’ sound in words like ‘cling,’ ‘spring,’ ‘strong,’ and ‘brings.’
Not One Drop!
Girl is thirstier than she has ever been, and there is not one drop of water left anywhere! The pump is dry, the tank is empty, and even the creek has cracked in the sun. Will she find a sip to drink? Can a single silent cloud in the open sky really hear her shouting? A decodable reader practising 2-syllable open words like ‘baking,’ ‘open,’ ‘silent,’ ’tiny,’ and ‘water.’
Roar Roar Dinosaurs
ROAR! Did you know scientists can figure out what a dinosaur ate just by looking at its teeth? Or that T-rex might have had feathers and could be related to a chicken? Join one boastful T-rex as it meets long-necked giants, pack hunters, and gentle parents - and slowly discovers there is far more to dinosaurs than size and a big set of jaws. This decodable reader practises 3+ syllable words such as ‘dinosaurs,’ ‘incredible,’ ‘velociraptor,’ and ‘unfortunately.’
Diya and the Bug
Diya knows more about butterflies than anyone in her whole school - but she’s far too shy to say a word in class. What happens when her teacher takes the class to the park, and Diya spots a fat striped caterpillar wriggling along a leaf? Could this be the day she finally finds her voice? This decodable reader practises the le/al/el/il endings in words like ‘gentle,’ ‘sparkle,’ ‘giggle,’ ‘crumpled,’ and ‘medal.’
Frequently Asked Questions
How do science books help children build vocabulary?
Science books introduce specialised words — habitat, metamorphosis, evaporation — in context, which is one of the most effective ways for children to expand their vocabulary. The National Council of Teachers of English notes that nonfiction literature increases students’ ability to make inferences and strengthens literal comprehension. Because these books use decodable text, children practise phonics skills at the same time.
Why should children read nonfiction alongside fiction?
Children who read a variety of text types develop stronger overall reading skills. Background knowledge — the kind built by reading about science, nature, and the world — is a core strand of Scarborough’s Reading Rope (2001), which describes how comprehension depends on both decoding ability and content knowledge working together. Mixing science books with story books gives children practice with both narrative and informational text structures.
Are science picture books suitable for beginning readers?
Yes. The science books here pair simple, decodable text with illustrations that help explain concepts visually. Research in npj Science of Learning (Takacs & Bus, 2020) found that clear, well-designed illustrations improve both attention and comprehension in beginning readers — an especially valuable support when the subject matter is new.
What science topics are covered for children ages 5 to 9?
Topics include animals, plants, weather, the human body, the solar system, and basic biology. Each book is designed to answer the kinds of questions young children naturally ask — why leaves change colour, how fish breathe, what makes a volcano erupt — while keeping the reading level manageable.
Can I download these science books as PDFs?
Yes. Science books are available to read on the Bookbot website, with many titles free to access. Depending on the title, you may also find options such as PDF downloads, printable versions for classroom or home use, audiobooks, or read-aloud mode with word-by-word highlighting.