These stories teach children the importance of independently analysing, synthesizing, and evaluating information in order to better explore the world around them. It encourages children to ask questions and think about what might be happening beyond the surface as things are not always what they first appear to be.

Our top 3 books for critical thinking are:

1. Du Iz Tak – by Carson Ellis

2. I Want My Hat Back – by Jon Klassen

3. This Is Not My Hat – by Jon Klassen

4. A Pile of Leaves – by Jason Fulford and Tamara Shopsin
5. A Squash and a Squeeze – by Julia Donaldson
6. Ada Twist, Scientist – by Andrea Beaty & David Roberts
7. An Extraordinary Egg – by Leo Lionni
8. Baxter’s Book – by Hrefna Bragadottir
9. Caps for Sale – by Esphyr Slobodkina
10. Cave Baby – by Julia Donaldson & Emily Gravett
11. Circle – by Mac Barnett
12. Duck! Rabbit! – by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
13. Fish is Fish – by Leo Lionni
14. Frederick – by Leo Lionni (Mfufu in Zulu)
15. Grrrrr – by Rob Biddulph
16. Hello, Red Fox – by Eric Carle
17. Last Stop on Market Street – by Matt de la Pena
18. Shh! We Have a Plan – by Chris Haughton
19. Square – by Mac Barnett
20. Swimmy – by Leo Lionni
21. The Giving Tree – by Shel Silverstein
22. The Gruffalo – by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
23. The Gruffalo’s Child – by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
24. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth – by Kathryn Lasky
25. The Lorax – by Dr. Seuss
26. The Mysterious Tadpole – by Steven Kellogg
27. The Skunk – by Mac Barnett
28. The Sneetches – by Dr. Seuss
29. The Straw Giant and the Crow – by Jess Bosworth Smith
30. The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse – by Mac Barnett
31. The Zax – by Dr. Seuss
32. Tidy – by Emily Gravett
33. Triangle – by Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
34. Cyril & Pat – by Emily Gravett