University of Cambridge: This Book Will Make You a Scientist

By Author / Illustrator

Dr Sheila Kanani, illus Ellen Surrey

Genre

STEM

Age range(s)

Publisher

Nosy Crow

ISBN

9781805132547

Format

Hardback

Published

12-03-2026

Synopsis

Measure the speed of light like Albert Einstein! Train to be an astronaut like Mae Jemison! Communicate with chimpanzees like Jane Goodall! This book will make YOU a scientist as you explore 25 different scientific ideas inspired by ground-breaking scientists through history!

Discover 25 of the world's most incredible scientists in this fact-filled book full of step-by-step science experiments that are easy to try at home. From making your own volcano and extracting DNA from a strawberry to exploring electricity, evolution and gravity, this imaginative book is jam-packed with ideas for aspiring scientists everywhere!

Friendly, accessible text written by planetary physicist, science presenter and school science teacher Dr Sheila Kanani MBE, author of Blue Peter Award-shortlisted How to Be an Astronaut and Can You Get Rainbows in Space?

This Book Will Make You a Scientist features biographies of 25 fantastic scientists, plus an exciting science-based experiment to try on every spread, supported by vibrant, full colour illustrations on every page. It has been created in consultation with experts from the University of Cambridge.

ReadingZone caught up with author and scientist Dr Sheila Kanani to find out more about becoming a scientist

Follow-up to: This Book Will Make You an Artist ("A great choice for curious and creative kids" - The Independent)

List of scientists featured: Tapputi-Belatekallim, Archimedes, Kamal al-Din al-Farisi, Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, Caroline Herschel, James Jay, Charles Darwin, Mary Anning, Nikola Tesla, S.P.L Soresnen, Ynes Mexia, Albert Einstein, Alexander Fleming, Alice Ball, Dorothy Hodgkin, Rosalind Franklin, Marie Maynard Daly, Eugene Merle Shoemaker, Jane Goodall, Katia Krafft, Christine Darden, Stephen Hawking, Mae Jemison and Ritu Karidhal.

Also available: This Book Will Make You an Artist

Download Extract

Reviews

Sue

Perfect for igniting ideas and creating curious children, The Book Will Make You a Scientist is packed with accessible experiments, inspired by the work of 25 scientists from the past and present, from different cultures and locations across the world.

Starting with advice about getting started as a scientist, the book suggests some of the equipment which will be needed to try out the experiments in the book - items which are readily accessible - before reminding readers of the importance of persevering and learning from mistakes. Perfect for supporting this strand of the current science National Curriculum, there is also advice about working scientifically.

The book then introduces the life and work of different scientists, offering a concise biography of their life and work before declaring 'Now it's your turn!' and giving step-by-step instructions for carrying out an experiment based on their work. The instructions are excellent - very clearly explained and with 'tips' to extend or vary the idea - just right for children to follow if working independently, but also making the book a treasure trove of ideas for teachers wishing to extend or enrich the curriculum for their class both in terms of experiments to try and the range of scientists.

Attractive, colourful illustrations throughout make the book very visually appealing and small pictures are used to support understanding of the experiment instructions. A detailed glossary is included to explain some of the technical terms used and the contents page indicates the name of the scientist and the experiment which can be found on each page, making it easy for children to chose a specific idea or browse at their leisure.

64 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher