Black Women in Science Childrens Books
These books about black women in science showcase the trailblazing work of remarkable women who have overcome tremendous obstacles to make groundbreaking discoveries, challenge long-held beliefs, and pave the way for future generations.
The books about women in history not only celebrate these women’s incredible achievements but also highlight the importance of diversity and representation in science, encouraging your young reader to pursue their passions, regardless of their race or gender.
Be sure to check out even more age-appropriate Black History Month books about the African American experience.
You can find these black women in science children’s book at your local library or purchase through the links provided for your convenience.
This post contains affiliate links.
Share the accomplishments of these amazing black women in science with your children for Black History Month! Inspiration comes in many forms.
As a mom, I find it important to expose my boys to people of all races, creeds and color to better understand that without these amazing people, the world wouldn’t be what it is today. As an aunt to girls, I want them to see themselves in the women who came before them so that they can know what is possible.
As a family of readers, we often turn to books to expose my boys to the powerful and world-changing people who came before them.
Be sure to check out these other children’s books about women – perfect for kids of all ages.
BLACK WOMEN IN SCIENCE CHILDRENS BOOKS
An Amazon Best Book of the Month
A beautiful picture book for sharing, inspired by the life of the first African American woman to travel in space, Mae Jemison.
A great classroom and bedtime read-aloud, Mae Among the Stars is the perfect book for young readers who have big dreams and even bigger hearts!
Award-winning author Suzanne Slade and debut artist Veronica Miller Jamison tell the story of a NASA “computer” in this smartly written, charmingly illustrated biography.
Katherine knew it was wrong that African Americans didn’t have the same rights as others.
And she proved everyone wrong by zooming ahead of her classmates, starting college at fifteen, and eventually joining NASA, where her calculations helped pioneer America’s first manned flight into space, its first manned orbit of Earth, and the world’s first trip to the moon!
NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book 2019 Selection * NSTA Best STEM Trade Books for Students K-12 2019 Selection * 2019 Amelia Bloomer List Selection * 2019 Mathical Honor Book
After touring a German submarine in the early 1940s, young Raye set her sights on becoming an engineer.
Little did she know sexism and racial inequality would challenge that dream every step of the way, even keeping her greatest career accomplishment a secret for decades.
Through it all, the gifted mathematician persisted―finally gaining her well-deserved title in history: a pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever.
Her work at NASA helped send rockets into space. She lived a life of learning and helping others.
Her story inspires all young people to enjoy science and math!
Simply told with evocative full-color illustrations.
When Bessie Coleman was a child, she wanted to be in school — not in the cotton fields of Texas, helping her family earn money.
At the end of every day in the fields she checked the foreman’s numbers to make sure his math was correct. And this was just the beginning of a life of hard work and dedication that really paid off to become the first African-American to earn a pilot’s license.
The inspiring story of her difficult early years, her success as a stunt pilot putting on daring air shows in many states, and her dedication to telling young African-Americans wherever she went, “You can be somebody. You can fly high just like me,” is as moving and important today as it was then.
In this beautifully illustrated picture book edition, explore the story of four female African American mathematicians at NASA, known as “colored computers,” and how they overcame gender and racial barriers to succeed in a highly challenging STEM-based career.
They participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes, like providing the calculations for America’s first journeys into space. And they did so during a time when being black and a woman limited what they could do.
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Selection * NSTA Best STEM Books for K-12 Selection * A Mighty Girl Book of the Year
As a girl coming of age during the Civil Rights Movement, Patricia Bath made it her mission to become a doctor.
When obstacles like racism, poverty, and sexism threatened this goal, she persevered―brightening the world with a game-changing treatment for blindness!
Madam C.J. Walker wasn’t just an inventor. She was also a political activist and businesswoman.
Young readers will discover that she was not only fought for civil rights, but became one of the most successful African-American business owners ever.
Dorothy Vaughan loved things that made sense―especially numbers!
Follow Dorothy’s journey from math teacher to human computer and beyond, a journey made difficult because she was an African American woman working during a time of segregation.
Dorothy worked incredibly hard to meet the challenges that greeted her at every turn and rose to the level of supervisor, the first black supervisor in the history of her company!
But another challenge awaited when a mechanical computer threatened to replace the teams of human computers. How will Dorothy figure out this problem?
As a young black woman in the 1920s, Bessie Coleman’s chances of becoming a pilot were slim.
But she never let her dream die and became the first licensed African-American aviator.
As a child, Katherine Johnson loved to count. She counted the steps on the road, the number of dishes and spoons she washed in the kitchen sink, everything!
From Katherine’s early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA, Counting on Katherine is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who not only calculated the course of moon landings but, in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history.
