The Thinkers attribute of the IB Learner Profile celebrates the art of critical and creative thinking. It’s about encouraging young minds to analyze, evaluate, and solve problems thoughtfully while considering multiple perspectives and ethical implications. This skillset empowers children to approach challenges with confidence and innovation, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and responsible decision-making.
In this post, through engaging (and fun) stories and imaginative illustrations, they invite children to question, reflect, and explore new ideas. From tales of inventive problem-solving to narratives that provoke deeper ethical discussions, these books provide opportunities for children to develop the curiosity and thoughtfulness that define true thinkers. Let’s dive into some inspiring titles that beautifully align with this essential IB attribute!
The Wolf In Underpants by Wilfrid Lupano
This is a witty and thought-provoking story that challenges assumptions by presenting a feared wolf who turns out to be gentle—his only problem was being cold! Once he gets a pair of underpants, the forest animals realize their fears were unfounded. This twist encourages readers to think critically about stereotypes and how preconceived notions shape perceptions.
Beyond its humor, the book offers a clever social commentary on how fear can be exploited. The forest economy thrives on anti-wolf businesses—self-defense classes, alarm systems, and public lectures—illustrating how fear can be monetized and manipulated. The story prompts readers to analyze real-world parallels, from fear-driven industries to misinformation. The wolf’s transformation also highlights the power of empathy and meeting basic needs, showing that change is possible when we look beyond fear and embrace understanding.
With its playful yet meaningful approach, The Wolf in Underpants encourages us to reflect on our own thinking, question social norms, and recognize the importance of critical inquiry. The unexpected mystery by the end of the book sparks conversations about perception, bias, and the role of independent thought in navigating the world.
Written by Wilfrid Lupano, Illustrated by Mayana Itoiz, #NameTheTranslator Nathan Sacks
2019, Graphic Universe
ISBN: 9781541545304
Eleven Words for Love: A Journey Through Arabic Expressions of Love by Randa Abdel-Fattah
Instead of telling a story, in Eleven Words for Love, Randa Abdel-Fattah explores themes of love, cultural identity, and resilience by introducing readers to eleven Arabic words for love. The pages takes us to the richness of human connections and challenges readers to reflect critically on their own emotions and relationships. With its layered narrative and emotional depth, this book offers a meaningful exploration of how culture and language shape our understanding of love and belonging.
One of the most captivating aspects of the book is its exploration of the distinction of love and human relationships. The eleven Arabic words for love, each representing a unique relationship or emotion. This linguistic and cultural richness invites readers to think critically about the many forms love can take and how they influence our lives. The characters’ reflections on these words encourage a deeper understanding of how love connects people across different experiences and backgrounds.
Eleven Words for Love is a beautifully crafted book that invites readers to explore the complexities and multiple layers of love. Its rich themes encourage thoughtful reflection on the role of culture and language in shaping who we are.
Eleven Words for Love: A Journey Through Arabic Expressions of Love
Written by Randa Abdel-Fattah, Illustrated by Maxine Beneba Clarke
2023, Candlewick
ISBN: 9781536230215
Seoul Food by Erin Danielle Russell
Seoul Food is a delightful culinary experiment that invites readers to explore food through the lens of cultural understanding and creative problem-solving. The book offers a unique perspective on cooking as both an art form and a practical exercise in critical thinking, with a strong emphasis on the connection between food, culture, and identity.
One of the key themes of the book is “culinary exploration”. Through the tasty dishes of American southern food and flavors of Korean cuisine, the story encourages readers to think critically about the diverse culinary traditions that shape our cultural experiences. As Hana and her family navigate their way through preparing meals, they’re presented with opportunities to reflect on the ways food connects us to our heritage and fosters appreciation for other cultures. This exploration of food becomes a gateway to understanding different identities, promoting a deeper respect for the cultural significance behind the meals we share.
Equally compelling is the portrayal of problem-solving in cooking. As Hana face various challenges in the kitchen, she and her family must think creatively to overcome obstacles and create delicious, memorable meals. The story showcases how cooking is not just about following recipes, but about using critical thinking to adapt and improvise. This focus on problem-solving highlights how everyday situations—like preparing a meal—require resourcefulness, flexibility, and the ability to make thoughtful decisions. Through cooking, the book demonstrates how critical thinking can be applied in practical, everyday scenarios.
Seoul Food is an insightful read that combines the joys of food with the power of critical thinking. Maybe we can all create our very own signature dish that represent our flavorful background and diverse experiences!
Written by Erin Danielle Russell, Illustrated by Tamisha Anthony
2024, Viking Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780593464380
Sugar in Milk by Thrity Umrigar
Before we dive into the story, I’d like to highlight the gallery-quality illustration by Khoa Le. Sugar in Milk is a beautifully told story with stunningly illustrated images that delivers an important message about immigration, belonging, and the contributions of newcomers to a new land. Based on a thought-provoking Parsi legend, the story follows a young girl who, with her aunt’s help, uncovers the timeless wisdom of this folktale.
The story revolves around a group of refugees who arrive on foreign shores seeking sanctuary. Due to the language barrier (“they spoke a strange and different language they did not understand”), the newcomers and the residents couldn’t communicate verbally. However, both sides demonstrate the critical thinking skills of creativity and problem-solving to bridge the gap: The king, initially resistant, uses a glass of milk to symbolize his unwillingness to accommodate them. Yet, when the leader of the refugees dissolves sugar into the milk, he introduces a clever metaphor: like sugar in milk, the refugees’ presence will not only bring harmony but will enhance and sweeten the land they seek to enter. This thoughtful and innovative response shows that immigrants don’t just take resources from their new home—they enrich it.
Through the lens of this beautiful tale, Sugar in Milk encourages readers to think critically and creatively in this interconnected world where multiple languages and cultures co-exist. It promotes problem-solving and creative thinking, as readers are invited to reflect on how we can all make our communities better and more understanding.
Written by Thrity Umrigar, Illustrated by Khoa Le
2020, Running Press Kids
ISBN: 9780762495191
Who Was That? by Olivier Tallec
Another fun interactive book by the French author Olivier Tallec engages readers of all ages in the guessing game that challenges us to sharpen our observation skills. What initially seems like a simple book quickly reveals itself to be a clever exercise in attention and memory. Each page presents a question that asks readers to recall details from the previous pages about the characters. The trick is, you have to be paying close attention to every little detail if you want to get it right! It’s a fun way to remind us that sometimes we miss important details in our day-to-day interactions and that our eyes (and memories) aren’t always as reliable as we think.
Tallec’s playful illustrations and the simple yet challenging nature of the book will keep kids on their toes, eagerly flipping back and forth to solve the mystery. The clever format encourages keen observation, critical thinking, and a dash of imagination. As readers reflect on the details of each page, they start to realize how many tiny bits of information we overlook in everyday life. This would make Who Was That? an excellent choice for discussions on how our perception and memory can influence what we “know.”
Written by Olivier Tallec
2018, Chronicle Books
ISBN: 9781452169903
I Can Explain by Shinsuke Yoshitake
We are invited into the mind of a child dealing with everyday dilemmas. This hilarious book brilliantly showcases creative problem-solving through the little boy’s imaginative reasoning as he attempts to explain a variety of situations. With playful and humorous twists, Yoshitake encourages readers to think creatively about the world around them and the challenges they face. The whimsical solutions the child comes up with highlight how imaginative thinking can lead to unique resolutions, reminding us that sometimes the best answers come from playful curiosity.
The book also emphasizes critical thinking through humor, as the boy’s explanations often take unexpected turns. Through laughter and a little silliness, readers are prompted to reflect on how we analyze situations from different perspectives. The lighthearted approach reinforces the importance of perspective-taking, demonstrating that problem-solving isn’t just about finding the right answer but about considering the situation from multiple angles. Yoshitake’s playful narrative encourages both children and adults to think creatively—and to find humor in the process of thinking itself.
Written by Shinsuke Yoshitake
2022, Chronicle Books
ISBN: 9781797216904
Eleanor Duggan is a passionate children’s book reader, a storytelling enchantress, an aspiring globetrotter, a part-time book crafter, and an impassioned foodie who is a cooking disaster. She is more known as an international school teacher-librarian, Founder of the Toucan Award, and the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Regional Director since 2020. She is a Taiwanese with a Belgian soul and is currently enjoying her life as a citizen of the world with her daughter and their 2 one-of-a-kind cats. You may find her via The Third Culture Librarian
GLLI Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in posts on this site are the individual author’s and are not indicative of the views of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative.
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