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Best Knowledgeable Books to Support Student-Led Learning

Best Knowledgeable Books to Support Student-Led Learning

Discover knowledgeable books to use in your classroom. They focus on applying knowledge to develop an in-depth understanding of ideas, issues and concepts. They cover student learning in a range of subjects.

Best Knowledgeable Books to Support Student Learning

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Promoting Student Learning

The IB Learner Profile states that knowledgeable students “develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines. They engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.” IBO

The suggested knowledgeable books are great for showing examples of how your students can produce, acquire and apply knowledge. They also promote the fact that being knowledgeable is not just about repeated facts and figures but about having a deeper understanding.

In a previous post, IB Knowledgeable Resources to Support Student Learning, I put together knowledgeable books, videos and online resources. In this post, I researched a list of over 30 picture books you can use to promote the knowledgeable trait in your classroom.

Knowledgeable Books to Promote Student Learning

These picture books encourage children to think about how they acquire and apply knowledge to develop an in-depth understanding of ideas, issues and concepts. You will see characters who:

  • acquire, apply and share knowledge
  • look at different perspectives
  • consider all factors involved
  • ask questions to challenge and deepen their understanding
  • reflect and analyze their knowledge
  • show curiosity and search out information
  • understand failure is part of gaining knowledge

Knowledgeable Book List

Scroll to the end of the list for a list of knowledgeable questions to use during a read-aloud session.

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

Ada Twists scientific curiosity leads her to question, hypothesise and experiment to figure out how the world works and her place in it. The picture book Ada Twist, Scientist promotes themes of curiosity, inquirer, knowledgeable and thinkers.
AMAZON
Alec's Primer by Mildred Pitts Walter

Alec's Primer by Mildred Pitts Walter

Alec Turner, born into slavery in Virginia, was forbidden to learn to read. The granddaughter of his owner taught him so he could eventually become a free man, which he did. He joined the Union army during the Civil War before settling in Vermont. Every night he told his family of his story and their heritage. Based on actual events. This book reinforces the themes of perseverance, slavery and reading.
AMAZON
The Antlered Ship by Dashka Slater

The Antlered Ship by Dashka Slater

A curious fox, Marco, wants to find the answer to an important question "What’s the best way to find a friend you can talk to?" When he steps aboard a magnificent ship adorned with antlers he is filled with answers
AMAZON

The Boy Who Knew Nothing by James Thorp

When everyone tells a boy he knows nothing he believes them. But when he finds a strange creature in his parents' wardrobe he sets out on a quest of knowledge to discover what it is.
AMAZON
The Boy Who Loved Words by Roni Schotter

The Boy Who Loved Words by Roni Schotter

Roni Schotter's picture book about a boy who loved words promotes appreciation, communication and inquiry. There are words that make his heart soar and laugh and also words that make him lonely and sad. The boy decides it is his mission to spread words to whoever he thinks will appreciate them.
AMAZON
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin

Farmer Brown’s cows type him a letter demanding electric blankets. They go on strike when he refuses their demands. Duck takes an ultimatum from Farmer Brown to the cows and they agree to exchange the typewriter for the blankets. But, the next day Farmer Brown gets a note from the ducks demanding a diving board for their pond!
AMAZON
The Hard-Times Jar by Ethel Footman Smothers

The Hard-Times Jar by Ethel Footman Smothers

Emma Turner loves books but can't afford one. She saves all the money she earns picking apples and puts in in her mothers hard-times jar. When her mama tells her she has to go to school there is a wonderful suprise waiting for her. This book reinforces the themes of reading, school, determination and immigration.
AMAZON
Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers Pinterest

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers

Here We Are encompasses the mountains and oceans, space and constellations, and the animals and people who populate the Earth. The handwritten facts throughout the book are a gentle plea to care for the planet and each other.
AMAZON
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly Pinterest

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures tells the inspirational story of four black women who worked at NASA and how their intelligence and determination changed the world. Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden who worked as computers at NASA in the 1940s. They helped NASA in science, aeronautics, and space exploration. Their hard work and determination helped put a man on the moon. A powerful picture book to promote gender roles, tolerance, inquirers and perseverance.
AMAZON
I Could Do That! by Linda Arms White

I Could Do That!: Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote by Linda Arms White

Linda Arms White depicts Esther Morris as a strong and dynamic woman who, angry that only men can vote in her state of Wyoming, was instrumental in getting the vote for women. Use to promote a growth mindset, female lead characters, independence & perseverance.
AMAZON
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty

Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty

Creative Iggy Peck loves building and from a young age is encouraged by his parents. When his teacher doesn't have the same perspective about his talent he demonstrates the benefits of his knowledge and skills.
AMAZON
In The Leaves by Huy Voun Lee

In The Leaves by Huy Voun Lee

During an autumn visit to a farm, Xiao Ming is excited to show his friends all the new Chinese characters he has learned.
AMAZON
The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

Henry loved to eat books and with every bite, he got smarter and smarter. That was until the letters and words leak out of his mouth. On reflection, he decides he can still be smart by reading a book, it would just take longer.
AMAZON
The Librarian Who Measured The Earth by Kathryn Lasky

The Librarian Who Measured The Earth by Kathryn Lasky

This biography tells of Greek philosopher, scientist and librarian Eratosthenes, the first person to accurately measure the globe's circumference.
AMAZON
Marvelous Mattie by How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor

Marvelous Mattie by Emily Arnold McCully

Learn about the work of Margaret E. Knight and her fight against restrictive gender roles in a time when women were not accepted as scientists. Marvelous Mattie by Emily Arnold McCully is a memorable picture book that deals with gender roles, tolerance, open-mindedness and independence.
AMAZON
Of Numbers and Stars- The Story of Hypatia by D. Anne Love

Of Numbers and Stars: The Story of Hypatia by D. Anne Love

Hypatia lives in the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria. Through her dedication to learning and knowledge she became a respected mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher.
AMAZON
Once Upon a Time by Niki Daly

Once Upon a Time by Niki Daly

In rural South Africa, Sarie struggles to read her school books. She accepts help from her schoolfriend Emile and an old lady, Ou Missus. Through practice, her confidence grows and she is complemented by the school principal for her beautiful reading.
AMAZON
One Grain of Rice by Demi

One Grain of Rice by Demi

In this Indian folktale, a young girl tricks a Raja into giving up his rice during a time of famine. After a good deed, the king rewards the girl. She asks for one grain of rice that doubles for 30 days, resulting in billions of grains for her hungry village.
AMAZON
Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim

Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim

Ruby impresses her grandfather in old China with her determination to continue her education. In a time when girls were not encouraged to go to university her grandfather grants her wish. This book promotes commitment, determination, gender roles and perseverance.
AMAZON
Starry Messenger Galileo Galilei by Peter Sis

Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei by Peter Sis

Galileo Galilei explored new ideas and challenged scientific beliefs. He discovered that the Earth was not the centre of the Universe but it revolved around the Sun along with other planets. His results were shocking as they challenged the accepted view of the earth held since ancient times.
AMAZON
Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora

Tomas and the Library Lady by Pat Mora

Tomás, the son of migrant workers, grows up listening to his grandfather's stories who advises him to visits the library where he discovers a whole new world. Tomás' special bond with his grandfather and the librarian motive him to advance his own education throughout his life.
AMAZON
Weslandia by Paul Fleischman

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman

Weslandia by Paul Fleischman is an inspiring picture book about a young boy called Wes who creates a sustainable civilisation called Weslandia. It promotes inquiry, identity and environmental responsibility.
AMAZON
Wolves by Emily Gravett

Wolves by Emily Gravett

Rabbit visits the library to learn about the behaviour of wolves. Engrossed, rabbit reads the book but we see a shadow with sharp claws and a bushy tail creep off the page. Should the rabbit be weary of this sinister figure? This picture book reinforces the themes of reading, libraries and metafiction.
AMAZON

In Conclusion...

Remember to check out IB Knowledgeable Resources to Support Student Learning for knowledgeable books, videos and online resources. 

What books do you use to promote the knowledgeable trait in your classroom? Add them to the comments!

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