National Science Week is a week-long celebration of all things Science and Technology. There are events planned all across the country.
Celebrated between 9 and 17 August, this year’s theme is Decoding the Universe – Exploring the unknown with nature’s hidden language.
Of course, such a celebration lends itself to some new books for your bookshelf. Here are some of our favourites.
National Science Week Book List
Table of Contents
- Tardigrades: Nature’s Toughest Survivors | Anne Morgan
- Listen to the Language of the Trees: A story of how forests communicate underground | Tera Kelley
- Secrets of Animal Camouflage | Carron Brown
- Can You Hear the Trees Talking?: Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest | Peter Wohlleben
- Wombat Poos Are Square | Sophie Gillies
- The Great Australian Science Book | Luke O’Neill
- This Book is Full of Holes | Nora Nickum
- Plantabulous!: More A to Z of Australian Plants | Catherine Clowes
- The Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants | Suzanne Houghton
- Seeds Move! | Robin Page
Tardigrades: Nature’s Toughest Survivors | Anne Morgan
Meet the incredible tardigrade—also known as the “moss piglet” or “water bear.” These microscopic creatures are among the toughest in the natural world. From the highest mountains to the deepest oceans—and even outer space—tardigrades can survive where almost nothing else can.
This fascinating picture book introduces young readers to these nearly indestructible animals and their exceptional survival skills.
Recommended for ages 5–9.
Listen to the Language of the Trees: A story of how forests communicate underground | Tera Kelley
Did you know trees can talk to each other? This beautifully written book reveals the secret world beneath the forest floor, where trees connect and communicate through a hidden web of fungi known as the mycorrhizal network.
Follow the journey of a tiny seedling as it taps into this underground system, receiving messages, support, and nutrients from neighbouring trees. Along the way, readers will meet curious forest creatures like chipmunks, owls, and jays, and discover the delicate balance that helps forests survive and thrive.
Part science, part story, this lyrical read-aloud captures the wonder of nature’s own social network—and reminds us that helping one another is key to survival.
Recommended for ages 5–10.
Secrets of Animal Camouflage | Carron Brown
Get ready for a discovery-filled adventure! With bold, vibrant artwork and the magic of the Shine-a-Light series, this book reveals the hidden world of animals that blend into their surroundings. From Arctic foxes in the snow to butterflies hiding in plain sight, each page invites kids to explore nature’s clever camouflage tricks.
Hold each page up to the light to uncover hidden creatures and secrets in the scene—perfect for curious young readers who love a bit of mystery with their science.
Recommended for ages 4–8.
Can You Hear the Trees Talking?: Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest | Peter Wohlleben
A walk in the park will never feel the same after reading this awe-inspiring guide to the secret world of trees.
Written by Peter Wohlleben—internationally bestselling author of The Hidden Life of Trees—this engaging book brings his love of forests to younger readers. Packed with fascinating facts, quizzes, real-life photographs, and hands-on activities, it invites kids to see trees in a whole new way.
Did you know trees have families, talk through a “forest internet,” and even go to school? With warmth and curiosity, Peter the Forester helps kids discover how trees live, grow, feel, and help us stay healthy, too.
Recommended for ages 9 – 12.
Wombat Poos Are Square | Sophie Gillies
From potoroos to stingrays, every Aussie animal has its own unique way of pooing—and it’s more fascinating than you might think!
This playful and informative picture book explores the weird and wonderful world of animal droppings, including sparkly poo, square poo, and creatures that poo hundreds of times a day. With charming illustrations and laugh-out-loud facts, Wombat Poos Are Square is a fun (and slightly cheeky) way to learn about how poo helps keep our environment healthy.
Recommended for ages 4–8.
The Great Australian Science Book | Luke O’Neill
How do we measure the universe? What happens inside our bodies when we’re sick? Which species might roam the Earth in a million years?
Packed with big ideas and fascinating facts, The Great Australian Science Book takes readers on a journey from the vastness of space to the tiniest building blocks of life. Travel through galaxies, dive into Earth’s wonders, explore the human body, and zoom into atoms and elements—all while learning about Australia’s incredible scientific contributions along the way.
With vibrant illustrations, hands-on experiments, and curious questions, this is a brilliant guide to thinking like a scientist.
Recommended for ages 8–14.
This Book is Full of Holes | Nora Nickum
This book is full of… holes! From the tiny hole in your sock to giant sinkholes that swallow gas stations, from oceanic voids visible from space to the carefully placed holes in sports equipment—holes are everywhere, and they’re far more fascinating than you might expect.
Explore how holes are formed, why they matter, and how scientists, engineers, artists, and everyday problem-solvers use them in surprising ways. With wit, wonder, and clever illustrations, this book reveals the hidden power of nothing at all.
Recommended for ages 7–12.
Plantabulous!: More A to Z of Australian Plants | Catherine Clowes
Did you know Australia is home to the world’s most venomous plant? Or that some plants shoot their seeds like tiny missiles, strangle their neighbours, or appear to come back from the dead after rain?
Plantabulous! introduces 26 of Australia’s most iconic and extraordinary native plants—many of which you can spot in your own backyard, local park, or bushland. With fascinating facts, fun activities, and vibrant illustrations, this book will inspire kids to see just how weird, wild, and fabulous Aussie plants really are.
Recommended for ages 6–12.
The Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants | Suzanne Houghton
Have you ever heard of a plant that eats meat? Some plants trap flies, spiders, and other unsuspecting insects with sticky leaves, snapping jaws, or slippery stems—and they do it all without moving a muscle!
The Wonderful World of Carnivorous Plants dives into the strange and spectacular adaptations of these clever predators. Discover how they work, where they grow, and why they’re important to their ecosystems. A fun and fascinating look into one of nature’s most unexpected plant groups.
Recommended for ages 6–10.
Seeds Move! | Robin Page
How does a seed find the perfect place to grow? From drifting on the wind to hitching a ride on animals—or even floating across oceans—seeds have incredible ways of travelling the world.
This beautifully illustrated picture book by Caldecott Honoree Robin Page explores the many surprising methods seeds use to move, settle, and sprout. Featuring seeds big and small, and the creatures that help them along the way, Seeds Move! is a gentle introduction to seed dispersal and the magic of plant life.
Recommended for ages 4–8.
National Science Week Activities in Sydney
Make sure to head across to our roundup of National Science Week activities in Sydney.
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