Graphic Novels About Science

Sometimes biographies of scientists can be pretty…dry. The duo that brought you Feynman is back with this graphic biography of Stephen Hawking. In this book, Ottaviani and Myrick illustrate Hawking’s life and work in a compelling way. They detail his work in cosmology and theoretical physics, but also his contributions to pop culture and work as a disability activist. It’s a detailed, nuanced look at a complex figure that’s also fun to read.

This graphic novel is geared more toward younger children — although honestly, anyone would find it informative and interesting — but it’s not “dumbed down” in the least. In this book, the reader is led through every system of the body: the skeletal system, the endocrine system, the immune system, the reproductive system, and much more. The graphics really bring the science and terminology to life, and it’s a real treat to read.

In this book, Yorifuji reimagines the periodic table with each element being a unique person with their properties made visual. Clothes, the length of the beard — each detail of their appearance is significant and part of the element. In this way, learning about each character, you’ll visualize more about each element, possibly making it easier to remember more about it.

The author/illustrator of Radioactive is back, this time with a book about weather. Redniss takes the reader all over the world and through time to explore different kinds of weather, the economic impact of weather events, our personal relationships with the weather, and our global relationship with it, in the face of climate crisis. The art, the writing, the approach to the topics — all of it makes the book a unique, enjoyable book to read and will have you thinking about weather in a whole new way.

We all know the major famous scientists like Einstein and Darwin, but in this book, Cunningham looks at seven other scientists who have contributed great things, but who may be sidelined or not so much household names. Mary Anning, Antoine Lavoisier, George Washington Carver, and Jocelyn Bell Burnell are among those he looks at. He looks at not only why they might have been marginalized or excluded, but also the great things they have done. It’s highly educational but also very readable.

Willis and Abrego bring to life the story of marine biologist Rachel Carson, whose environmental work still inspires people today. In this middle grade graphic novel, readers see Carson’s developing interest in the natural world, how she dealt with sexism, and her passion for conserving and saving the environment. That being said, it’s a bit light on actual biographical details — so this book is probably best for a supplement to another book about Carson, but it’s worth adding to your resources nonetheless.