Science stories

Every discovery and invention began with curiosity and enthusiasm. Stories about well-known scientists and inventors will reawaken that curiosity in you. Are black holes really black? What happened when some mold was left in the study? These stories bring the magic of scientific knowledge to life. In an engaging way, they familiarise children with famous scientific discoveries and the people behind them.

Louis’s Love of Light

Louis’s Love of Light

8
 min
8
+
4.56

At a young age Louis became fascinated by light, above all else. From staring at a flame to playing with its effects, he explored light’s many mysteries. As an adult, he studied further and went on to design theatre scenography, enchanting audiences across Paris. But he still wanted to do more. His ultimate mission: to capture light. And that he did.

Not Just Another Pretty Hollywood Face

Not Just Another Pretty Hollywood Face

8
 min
8
+
4.71

Hedy Lamarr was a beautiful film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. But she had much more to offer than just her good looks – she was a gifted inventor. In fact, her invention she created to help the Allies during WWII is something we all use today!

Clement and the Mousebird

Clement and the Mousebird

9
 min
5
+
4.81

Little Clement is different from his peers because he is fascinated by birds, butterflies and insects. But most of all, he longs to fly. Unlike others who gradually forget their childhood dreams, Clement works tirelessly on his passion and invents a previously unheard of thing - the world's first flying machine!

A Black Hole Isn't Black

A Black Hole Isn't Black

8
 min
5
+
4.71

Stevie has a love for space and planets. When he finds out there was a famous scientist with the same name and the same passion, he wants to become just like him. And so he starts to learn about black holes. They're so mysterious and curious! But... are they really black?

Ada, the Queen of Numbers

Ada, the Queen of Numbers

9
 min
5
+
4.68

Everyone has a talent. You just have to discover it. Maths is the least favourite subject of many children. But young Ada loves the subject, filled as it is with logical thought and all of those numbers. Thanks to her passion for numbers and calculations, she is able to think up things never seen before. By using her imagination, she becomes the first to prove that machines can think too…

Dynamite and TNT Have a Disagreement

Dynamite and TNT Have a Disagreement

6
 min
8
+
4.59

TNT and dynamite argue over who is better at blowing things up. They're both convinced they're better than the other. The roadworks tools step in to help decide - who do you think they chose?

The Poplar

The Poplar

12
 min
8
+
4.85

Unlike other children, Joe is not happy to visit the library at all, because he does not enjoy reading very much. But that changes when a tree in a book suddenly talks to him and tells him the story about how many lives it has had. It has certainly led an interesting life…

The Man Behind the Messy Mould

The Man Behind the Messy Mould

6
 min
5
+
4.75

Alec's head was always busy with so many ideas it made him forgetful and untidy. And he always had a runny nose, too! So when he grew up, he became a doctor. He wanted to find a cure for bacteria, which could be deadly. And after not just one, but two accidents, he discovered something really special. Read on to find out more!

Johann, Who Liked to Read

Johann, Who Liked to Read

10
 min
8
+
4.78

Johann was fascinated by reading from an early age. However, in his days, books were very rare, and only a few people had books at home! Johann's ingenuity and creativity, however, led him to a revolutionary idea... Read his story and learn how book printing was born - a discovery that has changed the whole world.

Modesty as Big as the Moon

Modesty as Big as the Moon

8
 min
5
+
4.68

Based on real events, this story begins with Neil Armstrong as a child. Young Neil is fascinated by flying. With great determination, he continually pursues this interest, until he eventually becomes the first man on the moon. When he steps onto the moon’s surface and speaks those famous words, the app plays the actual recording from the NASA Apollo 11 mission in 1969. [NASA archives: One Small Step]

Stephen and the Calculating Machine

Stephen and the Calculating Machine

5
 min
8
+
4.78

Ever since he was little, Stephen had been fond of maths and physics. Thanks to a connection with a good, inspiring teacher, his hobby would become a life-long passion. Despite extreme difficulties, Stephen Hawking became a legend in the field of science. Read with your kids a fairy tale based on his life story.

How Otto Was Fed up with Glasses

How Otto Was Fed up with Glasses

9
 min
5
+
4.76

From his early childhood, Otto was hardworking and patient. This quality comes in handy in his life, because it is important to be persistent and not to give up when working as a chemist. And it pays off: Otto, along with his friend, invents contact lenses, which millions of people around the world still use today.

The Heroic Dog

The Heroic Dog

12
 min
5
+
4.86

A little dog has a big love of rockets and outer-space. But her wish to be involved in a space mission seems too incredible for a dog to pursue. Still, she perseveres. In this story, children will come to understand that it takes a lot of effort to send a rocket into space, and they’ll discover how service-dogs can be helpful in preparing for a manned space mission.

The Three Broken Bicycles

The Three Broken Bicycles

9
 min
5
+
4.58

When broken bikes end up in a junkyard, it's not the end, but, on the contrary, the beginning of something new. A newcomer will show them that a broken bike doesn't just have to lie sadly next to the rubbish, but it can still do a lot and experience many things!

Louis’s Sour Milk

Louis’s Sour Milk

9
 min
5
+
5.0

As a child, Louis was interested in the laws of nature and was very inquisitive about the world around him. Through sheer curiosity, he would make simple experiments at home. Even ordinary milk did not escape his interest — he wondered what made it go sour. When he was older, he went on to study chemistry and proceeded to make sophisticated discoveries that humans everywhere still benefit from today, two centuries later. Read this story reflecting the life of the famous scientist Louis Pasteur.

Eddie and Smallpox

Eddie and Smallpox

7
 min
8
+
5.0

Eddie likes to spend time on the farm with the cows. Meanwhile, his father, a doctor, visits sick people. However, a dangerous illness appears. And Eddie's cows are unknowingly contributing to a great discovery. Read about them in this story of how Edward Jenner discovered the smallpox vaccination.

The Cuckoo Clock

The Cuckoo Clock

9
 min
5
+
4.83

Max is very much looking forward to a trip to visit his grandparents, who live abroad. His grandfather is a famous watchmaker and he's about to show his grandson his collection of clocks, including cuckoo clocks. But Max doesn't understand why anyone would lock up a cuckoo bird for hours. What will he discover in his grandfather's workshop?

The Pint-Sized Astronomer

The Pint-Sized Astronomer

10
 min
8
+
4.69

Caroline Herschel was quite small for a woman, but she managed to become a paid assistant scientist and the first female astronomer - in the late 1700s! Read on for more on how she made her own starry discoveries!

Frequently asked questions

What are science stories?

Science stories are stories that incorporate scientific principles, discoveries, and concepts in a way that is engaging and accessible to readers, especially children. Our science stories are also often based around the lives of inventors or people who did something important for the world. Whether focusing on space, biology, chemistry, or physics, science stories help demystify complex topics by weaving them into captivating tales that spark curiosity and a deeper understanding of the world.

What scientific concepts are covered in Readmio’s science stories?

Readmio’s science stories cover a wide range of fascinating scientific concepts, making them understandable and engaging for children. For instance, “Clement and the Mousebird” introduces children to the world's first flying machine. “A Black Hole Isn’t Black” explains the complex topic of black holes and space, breaking down the mysteries of astronomy for young readers.In “Dynamite and TNT Have a Disagreement,” children learn about chemistry, specifically the differences between these two explosive materials, while “The Man Behind the Messy Mould” dives into the world of biology by telling the story of Alexander Fleming and the discovery of penicillin. And the story “Modesty as Big as the Moon” is based on real events, which begins with Neil Armstrong as a child and tells how he eventually becomes the first man on the Moon. When he steps onto the moon’s surface and speaks those famous words, the app plays the actual recording from the NASA Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

How can these stories be used to teach science?

Science stories can be an effective tool for teaching science because they present concepts in a narrative format that is both entertaining and educational. By embedding scientific ideas within a story, children are more likely to stay engaged and retain the information. These stories can serve as a foundation for discussions, experiments, or projects, allowing educators to reinforce key concepts through storytelling. Additionally, science stories help to contextualize abstract ideas, making it easier for children to grasp complex theories and principles in a way that feels natural and enjoyable.

Are Readmio’s science stories fact-based or fictional?

Readmio’s science stories combine both fact-based and fictional elements. While the scientific principles at the heart of the stories are accurate and educational, the narratives themselves may include fictional characters or imaginative settings to engage readers and bring the concepts to life. All the inventor and life hero stories are fact-based, for example the story Stephen and the Calculating Machine about Stephen Hawking becoming a legend in the field of science. This mix of factual information with creative storytelling makes the science relatable and easier for children to understand, while still maintaining educational value.