Books that make kids think but don’t tell them what to think…..
There are so many picture books out on the market that adults create that have titles that tell kids how they should think, how they should feel, how they should act and be in the world. But in our experience kids don’t want that, they see right through those types of books. Often they feel too much like learning, too much like a lesson and not so much fun. And in all honesty the world doesn’t usually work like that either. Sure we want to be kind and honest and we want our kids to have and exhibit these attributes too but the playground, the kindergarten and the world in general can be a very different experience to this.
So we try to avoid these obviously didactic books in our household and prefer to go for kids books that entertain and leave a lot of room for the kids to figure some things out themselves. Whether it be a moral or just provoke some ideas, some thoughts and some questioning.
So here is a list of some books we feel hit that. They are fun but get the kids thinking too. Not necessarily about some moral or some learning but just thinking, talking and asking questions. Because from there conversations start.
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole - Mac Barnett, Jon Klassen
What a great book about such a simple idea - digging a hole. And from a couple of legends of the kids book world. This is a family fav as it is just strange and unusual and fun. The big thinking comes as we all try to figure out what the hell actually happened at the end! I don’t want to give it away, well as far as I am aware it isn’t given away anywhere. Our guesses at home range from portal to a parallel universe to time travel to death. So, as well as getting a great chat and some silly ideas out of the book you might inspire a bit of digging in the backyard too.
It might be an apple - Shinsuke Yoshitake
Another very strange book. If you are not familiar with the work of Shinsuke Yoshitake you are in for a treat. This explores imagination and philosophy, as we are presented with an almost endless count of all the things a seemingly normal apple could actually be if you let your imagination run completely wild and free. The questions and thoughts and topics that this book inspires are endless. It is funny and weird and the illustrations and design are world class.
What was I scared of? - Dr. Seuss
I love a Dr Seuss book and possibly could have put any number of them on here. When we read this for the first time my son kept asking about the pants and "why would the guy be sacred of pants?" It also makes you think of all the silly things we are scared of just because we don't take the time to understand them.
Walk of the whales - Nick Bland
This one does give it away at the end but the strangeness of the story about whales taking over the land is great and gets the kids to think and to ask questions not just about pollution if at all. But rather about "could they come to the land and what if they did?" What if humans live under water, what if, what if? We love a great what if with the kids. Even more than a would you rather?
The man with the fish on his head - P.J Kennan
This book presents kids with another weird situation, a man that puts a fish on his head. Why they ask, why does he have a fish on his head? And that is exactly what the books is trying to do. To make kids questions things, to notice the unusual and ask why and to get curious. We love a "but why, but why?". I once defeated my son by answering every but why for a couple minutes straight. I know it can be challenging but if you can find the time, presence and patience to answer them it can be a whole lot of fun for everyone!
Looking at this little list they are all quite surreal books. With magic pants, apples, holes, fish and whales, there is a bit of a surrealist theme going on here. Setting up with something unusual and unexpected is what gets kids thinking. Posing a different perspective really makes their minds start to work to try and figure things out, to ask questions, to ponder and come up with ideas.
There are lot's of other great picture books that get kids thinking but here are 5 picture books that have worked in our house to spark conversation, thoughts and ideas. Start a riot...