For quite a while now, I’ve been asked to compile a list of picture books for gifted children.
I love it when I stumble upon a book that speaks to me. It is a wonderful feeling when you step into a book that feels like home. These books feel like old friends, safe and comfortable. As a bibliophile and homeschooling mom, I want my children to experience this phenomenon.
Gifted children are outliers. They think outside of that proverbial box. They are unique and all too often misunderstood.
There is a safety in books that can be life-altering in the early years. The right book can make you feel whole, understood, valued.
10+ Picture Books for Gifted Children
Wondering if your child is gifted/2e?
10+ books for gifted children
As a Poppy Parent, I love when I find a book that reminds me of my gifted children. I want my children to meet characters in similar situations. I want them to witness others embracing their uniqueness and following their true passions.
Today, I am sharing some of my favorite picture books for gifted children. When you are finished reading, I would love to hear your favorites. I am always looking to add to our library!
Archibald Frisby by Michael Chesworth
To say that Archibald Frisby loves science would be a gigantic understatement. He is obsessed! In an effort to get her son interested in other pursuits, Archibald’s mom sends him to summer camp. Instead of falling in love with sports, Archibald stays true to himself and applies science to all areas!
Billy’s Booger by William Joyce
I love everything about this book! Billy’s Booger tells the true story of William Joyce’s very first book… and it didn’t win any prizes, folks! I love that this is a memoir, I love that the original story is included, I love how much it makes my kids giggle, and I love how this book inspires them to write and create after we close its covers. Plus, if you are a Poppy Parent, you will easily recognize Billy’s giftedness, from his intellect to his OEs.
Going Places by Paul A. Reynolds and Peter H. Reynolds
The Reynolds brothers, of The Dot fame, have done it again. Going Places tells the story of an annual go-kart contest during which each student is encouraged to create something unique. One student in particular, a girl named Maya, is a true outside-the-box thinker.
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty
If you love Rosie Revere, Engineer, then you will adore Iggy Peck! Iggy was born to build. From the age of two, he would create towers and buildings with unique and often humorous materials. His parents always encouraged his passion, but Iggy faces a challenge when placed with an anti-architecture second-grade teacher. Don’t worry, folks, Iggy will convince her to embrace the world of architecture, but you’ll have to read the book to find out how!
Olivia by Ian Falconer
I think every Poppy Parent can relate to my favorite line from this book: “You know, you really wear me out. But I love you anyway.”
Olivia is an imaginative, creative, and full of OE kind of kid… er… pig. If your child wears you out with feisty, creative antics, this is a must for your family library!
On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne
With whimsical illustrations, On a Beam of Light tells the story of young Einstein, a child who is quite different from his peers. This book encourages children to stay true to their natural curiosity and never stop dreaming.
Ordinary People Change the World by Brad Meltzer (series)
I adore this biography series for kids and have written about it both here and here. These picture books are a wonderful introduction to biographies and they carry an important message: ordinary people can do extraordinary things!
Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty
I love this book so much that I have given it as a gift for each and every birthday party we have been invited to this year. There is a huge push right now to get girls involved in STEM activities. Are you looking to get your daughter interested in STEM? Let Rosie help! My favorite quote from the book is, “Life might have its failures, but this was not it. The only true failure can come if you quit.” What a wonderful message to share with your children!
The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos by Deborah Heiligman
This is an engaging story about Paul Erdos, a boy who was fascinated with numbers and mathematics from a very early age. A perfect example of asynchronous development, Erdos did not learn how to butter his own bread until he was twenty years old, and yet he was brilliant when it came to mathematics!
The Library by Sarah Stewart
I would have loved this book as a kid and I think that any bibliophile- young or old- can appreciate its story. Young Elizabeth Brown is a voracious reader. While other girls play with dolls and toys, Elizabeth would rather be reading. Can you relate? As she grows up, Elizabeth spends her time reading, buying books, and reading some more. She’d rather spend her money on books than on food or new clothes. Eventually, she’s faced with a conundrum every bookworm can appreciate: she is running out of space for her books! Book lovers will fall in love with Elizabeth and her story.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
This book tells the tale of a little girl who wants to make the most magnificent thing. She tries and fails, again and again, and eventually quits… until her dog convinces her to cool down and try again. The result is… you guessed it: magnificent! This is a wonderful book about ingenuity and perseverance in the face of frustration.
Violet the Pilot by Steve Breen
Violet is another strong female character in the world of STEM, written and illustrated by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Steve Breen. From a young age, Violet can fix any appliance. She spends her days reading science magazines and building flying machines out of unique materials. She dreams of building a prize-winning flying machine. You’ll have to read the book to find out if Violet’s dreams come true!
What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada
This beautifully illustrated story is simple and yet its message is an important one. The story follows the inception of an idea, from its beginning phases, through trials and periods of doubt, until finally the idea matures and is realized. It is sure to inspire the creative kids in your life.
If you love reading and sharing wonderful children’s books, please join our {Virtual} Family Book Club at My Little Poppies, or follow us on Instagram where I share our morning Coffee and Books daily! Happy reading!
Now that I’ve shared some of our favorites, I’d love to hear yours! Tell me: What are your family’s favorite picture books for gifted children? Share here!
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There is no friend as loyal as a book.
~Ernest Hemingway
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This post has been part of the Hoagies’ Gifted Education Page May 2016 Blog Hop: Gifted in Pop Culture. Please click the image below to keep on hoppin’!
Cait has created several courses for homeschool parents. Cait co-hosts The Homeschool Sisters Podcast and is co-founder of Kindred Collective. Cait is also founder of the Family Book Club at My Little Poppies, a fantastic community of book-loving parents and the Gameschool Community at My Little Poppies, a vibrant community of gameschoolers.
Cait is a contributing writer for Simple Homeschool. Her work has also appeared on The Huffington Post, The Mighty, Scary Mommy, GeekMom, and many others. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.
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Thanks for your great book recommendations! Our trips to the library are so much better now. I’ve followed book lists before when scoping out books for my boys but yours are so much more engaging and current. We discovered Joyce because of you and are hooked! Have you heard of Destination Imagination? My boys have competed in this out of the box team competition for the past two years and love it. These books have the same spirit as DI. I think your family might enjoy it too! Thanks again for sharing such great information. Love your blog and IG account too!
Hi, Marni!
Thank you so much for the kind words. I love that you love our book recommendations! You made us smile over here 🙂
And we LOVE DI! My son has participated the past two years and really enjoyed himself. You are right- these books have the same spirit!
“The Boy who Loved Words” by Roni Schotter and “The Girl who Never Made Mistakes” by Gary Rubinstein are wonderful books for young gifted kids.
I love both of these books! “The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes” was a wonderful tool in helping my son understand his perfectionism. Thanks for reading!
Great selection of books! Thank you, Cait.
Have just been sharing “The Little Prince” with my students aged 9-14. Awesome conversations!