Love of Learning
Kids high in the strength love of learning feel passionate and positive about learning, like learning for learning’s sake, and pursue learning autonomously. According to psychologist Ben Dean here, “Students who love to learn are more like to engage in their schoolwork and receive positive feedback from teachers and parents. But the benefits of this strength extend far beyond graduation through the working years and into retirement. Indeed, a love of learning may be particularly valuable during older age in that it may prevent cognitive decline. Research suggests that individuals who are able to develop and maintain interests later in life are likely to be more physically and mentally healthy than their less-engaged peers.”
These children’s books feature characters who love learning and inspire a love of learning through a range of visual styles, relatable and inspiring subject matter.
On A Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne
Captures the imagination, curiosity and childlike purity of Albert Einstein in a format kids will relate to and very much like. Einstein’s love of learning guides him through life as a young, imaginative and open child through his scientific discoveries. The book also provides a strong example of a kid who is both okay with being different from others and steadfast loyal to his true self. Beautiful drawings.
Artist: Jennifer Berne (Author) and Vladimir Radunksy (Illustrator)
How This Book Was Made by Mac Barnett
A funny self-aware journey inside how a book is made, from starting a story to drafting, working with an editor and illustrator, waiting awhile, and ending up in the hands of the reader. The pictures are charming and there are lots of details and little jokes to find throughout.
Artist: Mac Barnett and Adam Rex
Nature and Me: A Guide to the Joys and Excitements of the Outdoors from The School of Life
Beautifully packaged, this picture book is packed with punchy wisdom and ideas on how we can grow, deal with life’s setbacks, and learn from nature. Published by the School of Life, the tone of the book is honest, respectful, intellectual and occasionally funny. It’s full of lessons but never patronizing or moralistic, and inspiring for adults, too.
How To Build A Human
Teeming with intriguing facts and striking images, How To Build A Human is a fascinating, funny and thought-provoking deep dive into human evolution by Pamela S. Turner and incredible artist John Gurche. The material manages to be both clear and easily understood, while also rich and thorough. This would be an excellent read for kids 10+ who are curious about the larger questions of life or learning about biology, history and humanity. Also a good read-aloud with younger kids eager to move beyond the picture books on evolution. As Danielle J. Ford elegantly said in her review, “Turner is a consummate storyteller: her steady pace through millions of years of the human evolutionary line is buoyed by an amused stance, joke-filled footnotes, well-timed shifts into second person, and modern-day analogies attuned to a middle-grade audience.”
Artist: Pamela S. Turner and John Gurche
Amanda Pig, Schoolgirl by Jan Van Leeuwen
Amanda has a happy, positive attitude toward learning that helps her in school and socially. A good one to read with preschoolers and young kids starting kindergarten. Kids with anxiety about school and learning can also relate to Amanda’s classmate, who is nervous about school and finds friendship and understanding in Amanda. Cute, gentle illustrations with a main character who loves learning.
Artist: Jean Van Leeuwen (Author) and Ann Schweninger (Illustrator)
Timeline by Peter Goes
This is a beautiful picture book for older kids with unforgettably detailed and moving illustrations, and a rich visual story of our timeline here on Earth. For kids who love asking big questions, it is full of deep with such a broad scope that can be explored over and over again, year after year. There’s also an activity guide that goes with the book here.
Artist: Peter Goes
Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day?
Each page is filled with funny details and information on what people do all day. Characters and storylines intertwine and span time, and the jobs, transportation vehicles and towns are relevant to kids curious about the worlds around them. Good for kids with intense interest in how things work. Also fun to revisit with older kids when talking about gender and stereotypes.
Artist: Richard Scarry
