Does your child gush about sharks, snakes, and velociraptors? Do they dream about delving into the deepest depths of the ocean or saving rainforests? Well they're not alone!

For centuries, women in science haven't received their due credit for the work they have done to further our understanding of the natural world. Where would the fields of zoology (the study of animals), entomology (the study of insects), herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians), oceanography (the study of the physical and biological properties of the sea), primatology (study of primates), marine biology (the study of marine organisms-fish, mammals, etc.), paleontology (the study of fossil animals and plants), and all of the other -ologys be without the works of our passionate, spirited, and fierce ladies of science? 

Whether its by saving turtles or jungles, your little one should know there is always a place for them in the wide world of scientific research and discovery. Here we have gathered a list of titles that are perfect for inspiring your future -ologist in training to pursue their dreams. 

Ages 4+

Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor: The Woman who Loved Reptiles written by Patricia Valdez; illustrated by Felicita Sala.

While other girls played with dolls, Joan preferred the company of reptiles. She even carried her favorite lizard with her everywhere. When Joan grew older, she became the Curator of Reptiles at the British Museum. She went on to design the Reptile House at the London Zoo, including a home for the rumored-to-be-vicious komodo dragons. There, just like when she was a little girl, Joan hosted children's tea parties—with her komodo dragon as the guest of honor.

 

Life in the Ocean: The Story of Sylvia Earle by Claire A. Nivola

A picture book biography tells the story of Sylvia Earle's growing passion for the wonders of the sea and how her ocean exploration and advocacy have made her known around the world.

 

 

 

Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya written by Donna Jo Napoli ; illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

The story of Wangari Maathai, who in 1977 founded the Green Belt Movement, an African grassroots organization, and in 2004 was the first African woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

 

 

 

Mary Anning and the Sea Dragon by Jeannine Atkins; pictures by Michael Dooling.

Over two hundred years ago, a young girl discovered a fossil, and began a lifelong vocation that earned her a place in history. "The patience and dogged determination of the unconventional Mary shines through, making her story one not only for dinosaur-lovers, but for those who appreciate stories of strong girls as well.

 

 

A Passion for Elephants: The Real Life Adventure of Field Scientist Cynthia Moss by Toni Buzzeo ; illustrated by Holly Berry.

Cynthia Moss was never afraid of BIG things. As a kid, she loved to ride through the countryside on her tall horse. She loved to visit faraway places. And she especially loved to learn about nature and the world around her. So when Cynthia traveled to Africa and met the world’s most ENORMOUS land animal, the African elephant, at Amboseli National Park in Kenya, she knew she had found her life’s work.

Seeds of Change: Planting a Path to Peace by Jen Cullerton Johnson; illustrated by Sonia Lynn Sadler.

A biography of Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize winner and environmentalist Wangari Maathai, an activist who made a stand in the face of opposition to women's rights and her own Greenbelt Movement, an effort to restore Kenya's ecosystem by planting millions of trees.

 

 

Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist written by Jess Keating ; illustrations by Marta Álvarez Miguéns.

At 9 years old, Eugenie Clark developed an unexpected passion for sharks after a visit to the Battery Park Aquarium in New York City. At the time, sharks were seen as mindless killing machines, but Eugenie knew better and set out to prove it. Despite many obstacles in her path, she was able to study the creatures she loved so much. From her many discoveries to the shark-related myths she dispelled, Eugenie's wide scientific contributions led to the well-earned nickname "Shark Lady."

Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor by Robert Burleigh; iIllustrated by Raúl Colón

Throughout history, others had tried and failed to measure the depths of the oceans. Sailors lowered weighted ropes to take measurements. Even today, scientists are trying to measure the depth by using echo sounder machines to track how long it would take a sound wave sent from a ship to the sea floor to come back. But for Marie, it was like piecing together an immense jigsaw puzzle and she was determined to succeed. And she did, becoming the first person to chart the ocean floor, helping us better understand the planet we call home.

 

Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian by Margarita Engle; illustrated by Julie Paschkis

The story of a young girl living in the Middle Ages who took the time to observe the life cycle of butterflies—and in so doing disproved a theory that went all the way back to ancient Greece.

 

 

The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry

Katherine Olivia Sessions never thought she’d live in a place without trees. After all, Kate grew up among the towering pines and redwoods of Northern California. But after becoming the first woman to graduate from the University of California with a degree in science, she took a job as a teacher far south in the dry desert town of San Diego. Where there were almost no trees. Kate decided that San Diego needed trees more than anything else. So she singlehandedly started a massive movement that transformed the town into the green, garden-filled oasis it is today. Now, more than 100 years after Kate first arrived in San Diego, her gorgeous gardens and parks can be found all over the city.
 

Ages 9+

Born Curious: 20 Girls who Grew up to be Awesome Scientists by Martha Freeman; illustrated by Katy Wu.

A collection of biographies of twenty groundbreaking women scientists who were curious kids and grew up to make incredible discoveries.

 

 

 

The Bluest of Blues: Anna Atkins and the First Book of Photographs by Fiona Robinson.

After losing her mother very early in life, Anna Atkins was raised by her loving father. He gave her a scientific education, which was highly unusual for women and girls in the early 19th century. Fascinated with the plant life around her, Anna became a botanist. She recorded all her findings in detailed illustrations and engravings, until the invention of cyanotype photography in 1842. Anna used this new technology to catalog plant specimens—a true marriage of science and art. In 1843, she published the book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions with handwritten text and cyanotype photographs. It is considered the first book of photographs ever published.

The Elephant Scientist by Caitlin O'Connell and Donna M. Jackson; photographs by Caitlin O'Connell and Timothy Rodwell.

Caitlin O'Connell loved to study nature as a child, and her mother helped her appreciate the world by paying attention to details. These early observational skills served her well through the years as she grew up to be a scientist working in the sprawling African scrub desert of the Etosha National Park in Namibia, Africa. This book takes you on a journey to the Namibian desert with Caitlin, the American scientist who became known as "the mother of all elephants," and follows her research as she witnesses groundbreaking discoveries about one of nature's largest , most complex, and most intelligent mammals living today on this earth—the African elephant.

Emi and the Rhino Scientist by Mary Kay Carson; with photographs by Tom Uhlman.

While looking for the world's smallest rhino in the Sumatran jungle, a scientist comes upon her rare find who, to her amazement, walks out of the brush and straight up to meet her in this touching tale about one scientist's efforts to save an endangered animal from extinction through her work at the Cincinnati Zoo.

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman.

Explores the life and scientific discoveries of Maria Merian, a naturalist and illustrator who uncovered the truth about metamorphosis and documented the science behind the mystery.

 

 

 

Sea Turtle Scientist by Stephen R. Swinburne.

Dr. Kimberly Stetwart, also known as the Turtle Lady of St. Kitts, is already waiting at midnight when an 800-pound leatherback sea turtle crawls out of the Caribbean surf and onto the sandy beach. The mother turtle has a vital job to do: dig a nest in which she will lay eggs that will hatch into part of the next generation of leatherbacks. With only one in a thousand of the eggs for this critically endangered species resulting in an adult sea turtle, the odds are stacked against her and her offspring. Join the renowned author and photographer Steve Swinburne on a journey through history to learn how sea turtles came to be endangered, and what scientists like Kimberly are doing to save them.

Temple Grandin: How The Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and Changed the World by Sy Montgomery and Temple Grandin

When Temple Grandin was born, her parents knew that she was different. Years later she was diagnosed with autism. While Temple's doctor recommended a hospital, her mother believed in her—Temple went to school instead. Today, Dr. Temple Grandin is a scientist and professor of animal science at Colorado State University. Her world-changing career revolutionized the livestock industry. As an advocate for autism, Temple uses her experience as an example of the unique contributions that autistic people can make.

 

Trailblazers: 33 Women in Science Who Changed the World by Rachel Swaby.

Covering important advancements made by women in fields such as biology, medicine, astronomy, and technology, author Rachel Swaby explains that people aren’t born brilliant scientists. They observe and experiment as kids and as adults, testing ideas again and again, each time learning something new. Kids are sure to come away with a renewed curiosity about the world and the realization that the road to discovery can be positively thrilling.

 

 

 

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World  written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky.

A collection of artworks inspired by the lives and achievements of fifty famous women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, from the ancient world to the present, with a profile of each notable individual.

 

 

Zoology: Cool Women who Work with Animals by Jennifer Swanson; illustrated by Lena Chandhok.

Introduces readers to three women in the field of zoology who are making an impact and inspiring the next generation of zoologists. Stephanie Kim is a graduate student in Canada studying different species of birds. Elise Newman works as a zookeeper at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Dr. Erin Seney is a sea turtle researcher with the University of Central Florida.

 

 

Ages 12+

Primates: The Fearless Science of Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas by Jim Ottaviani & Maris Wicks.

Jim Ottaviani returns with an action-packed account of the three greatest primatologists of the last century: Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Biruté Galdikas. These three ground-breaking researchers were all students of the great Louis Leakey, and each made profound contributions to primatology--and to our own understanding of ourselves.

 

 

 

Looking for similar titles? Check out:

• See It, Be It: Inspiring Picture Books about Women Scientists
• 7 Amazing Facts and Books About Female Science Pioneers

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Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Staff picks are chosen by NYPL staff members and are not intended to be comprehensive lists. We'd love to hear your ideas too, so leave a comment and tell us what you’d recommend. And check out our Staff Picks browse tool for more recommendations!

Summaries provided are adapted from NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.