Free STEM Books for Kids
We’re committed to removing barriers to literacy by providing free books that children love. Our STEM books introduce science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to young readers ages 5-9, featuring inventors, builders, coders, and problem-solvers who inspire future innovators.
Magnet Magic!
Rin discovers a mysterious black block in her brother’s desk drawer that makes objects stick to it! She tests it on everything around her—pens, staplers, rulers, and even the family cat. What is this magical object, and why does it only work on some things? Join Rin on her exciting journey of discovery!
A Big Pot
Join a young farmer on an exciting adventure as they plant seeds, nurture crops, and care for farm animals. From digging in the soil to protecting plants from hungry birds and curious cows, there’s so much work to do! But what delicious meal will all this hard work create? Discover the joy of growing your own food on the farm!
Roar Roar Dinosaurs
Discover the amazing world of dinosaurs through fossils and scientific clues! Did you know that some dinosaurs hunted together in packs, and that T-rex had tiny arms that were actually super useful? Learn how scientists figure out what dinosaurs ate, how they moved, and even what color their skin might have been. Roar into this thrilling journey to uncover dinosaur secrets!
The Internet
Did you know the internet connects the whole world like a giant web? Discover how it helps us learn, create, and share with friends everywhere—but also learn why we need to stay safe online. What amazing things will you explore on the internet?
Curly or Not
Discover the fascinating world of curly and straight! From bouncy hair and coiled tails to winding staircases and delicious spiral snacks, this book explores all the different shapes and curves we see every day. What curly or straight things can you find around you?
He Can Draw
Paul loves to draw! Every day after school, he sketches amazing pictures using simple shapes. Watch as he combines circles, boxes, and lines into something wonderful. Can you guess what Paul is creating before he reveals his final special touch?
Off!
We flip switches and lights come on. We see them twinkling in windows at night and glowing along busy roads. But have you ever stopped to think about how much we really need lights? What would happen if all the lights suddenly blinked out one day? Could we still play games, read books, or even stay safe? Discover why lights are more important than you might think!
The Dragonfly Net
When Kim and you need to catch an insect for a school project, you spot a speedy dragonfly on the playground. Your hands are too slow—but what if you could use nature itself to help? Discover how teamwork and clever thinking can solve the trickiest problems. Will you manage to catch the dragonfly without hurting its delicate wings?
Turn!
Wheels are everywhere—on skateboards, ferris wheels, clocks, and diggers! But what if wheels didn’t exist? Discover how wheels change our world and explore what life would be like without them. Would we still be able to do all the things we do today?
Vines
Discover the amazing world of vines! These stretchy plants can climb trees, cover houses, and grow delicious fruit. But did you know that vines can be both helpful and harmful? Some vines have special curly tendrils that grip tightly to anything nearby, while others spread across the ground like nature’s blanket. What kinds of vines might you find in your own neighborhood?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is combining STEM content with reading practice beneficial for young children?
STEM stories make abstract concepts like measurement, engineering, and scientific processes concrete by embedding them in narratives that children can visualise. This builds the background knowledge that Scarborough’s Reading Rope model (2001) identifies as essential for comprehension, while giving children a genuine reason to decode text. Li et al. (2025) found that integrating content-area knowledge with literacy instruction enhances both domains. On Bookbot, every free STEM book is a decodable reader mapped to a phonics scope and sequence.
What free formats are available for Bookbot's STEM books?
All STEM titles on Bookbot are free to read on the website, and many also include features such as read-aloud narration or downloadable PDFs. A University of Chicago study showed that access to a free digital book library significantly improved literacy outcomes for young disadvantaged children, demonstrating the value of removing cost barriers so every child can explore STEM topics through reading.
How do Bookbot's free STEM books support systematic phonics instruction?
Every STEM book on Bookbot follows a structured phonics progression, introducing letter-sound patterns in a controlled sequence so children master each stage before moving on. Ehri et al. (2001) confirmed through meta-analysis that systematic phonics instruction produces significant improvements in word reading and comprehension for children in grades K-3. STEM themes like inventions, simple machines, and coding provide the motivating content while the phonics framework ensures measurable skill growth.
Can parents use STEM books for shared reading at home?
Absolutely. Shared reading aloud is one of the most effective ways to lay the foundations for a love of reading, and STEM stories give families rich material to discuss together. Manu et al. (2019) found that parent-child reading interactions are strongly associated with improved language and literacy outcomes. Many of Bookbot’s free STEM books include a read-aloud mode with word-by-word highlighting so parents and children can follow along and talk about science, technology, engineering, and maths concepts as they read.