Please share!
Curiosity killed the cat but....
Satisfaction brought it back.
And I have a few friends with toddlers who want to know...
What books are there to spark curiosity - to encourage it, nurture it, grow it, especially for little learners?
Little kids are interested in everything. So the short answer is, keep doing what you're doing - exposing them to new things, getting outside, reading new stories, enjoying different experiences, foods and people.
But, there are books that can encourage wonder and building things and nurturing ideas. And some of these books are my favorite picture books for adults, too.
Here is a list to get you started.
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A tale of a little girl who wants to build something. She has something very particular in mind and when she starts building, she realizes that she did not build what she thought she did.
She gets frustrated, but keeps trying, trying and trying. This is a great book of scientific process, drafting and re-drafting until you get to what you want - and it might not be what you had in mind to begin with! |
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Still one of our favorites. This book has BEAUTIFUL color included and even makes me want to be an artist of sorts.
It's an inspiring book of collecting things (toddlers can relate), communicating, compromising and making masterpieces as a result. |
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One of the sweetest and important stories about the idea of an....idea.
The book is a bit meta - but I find that this is missing in a lot of children's books. Kids ask a lot of why questions and this one provides parents the appropriate language to talk about a seemingly nebulous topic - ideas. What are ideas? Are they alive? Do they grow? Do they die? What DO you do with an idea? This is one of my favorites for adults too. |
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It's no secret - I love going to hardware stores.
It's because I view hardware stores as a place to get ideas, build things with your hands, find tangible projects and let your mind wander. It's another version of an art store. So, I was thrilled to see this book come out and even more thrilled to see the illustration of a breastfeeding mama at the end of the book when her kids come back from the hardware store. |
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This is one in a series of other books and highlights the successes to be found in using the scientific process to solve problems. Featuring a young girl and her inventor aunt, this book focuses on the positive in experimenting and building upon it.
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From Jane Yolen (author of Owl Moon), comes a book about every kid's favorite present - a box.
Kids pretty much know what to do with a box but adults need to be reminded. This book is really good for that and makes you want to find lots of boxes so you can make cool stuff. |
Kathryn Otoshi talks about numbers in a way that other children's authors haven't.
She personifies numbers which makes it relatable to little kids and they genuinely want to know how the number resolves its problem of feeling empty inside. A great way to start a conversation about the mathematical value of numbers. She has also written One and Two. |
Other books to add to your curious library:
Books to Watch Out for (Order now!):
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Copy my Amazon Wishlist of Curious Books for Curious Kids to your own wishlist! This list will be updated periodically as new books are released or reviewed.
Enjoy!
