Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time for the whole family to catch up on their reading! However, not all books are equal. Some books are like candy. They’re sweet but have no substance to them. Other books are like a hearty meal — they address all of the food groups in a tasty way! Books that teach critical thinking certainly fall into this second category. Before introducing some titles your kids absolutely need, let’s talk about how to evaluate books that teach critical thinking.
PHOTO: Tuttle Twins
One of the Top Children’s Book Series for Families
As you evaluate kids’ books that teach critical thinking, you’ll probably run across the Tuttle Twins series. It’s easy to see why this is one of the top children’s book series for families. The Tuttle Twins books tuck every lesson on critical thinking into an exciting and engaging story your kids won’t want to put down! Every title in the Tuttle Twins series will demonstrate how to raise independent thinkers as your kids pick up essential critical-thinking skills.
Here are some Tuttle Twins books that teach critical thinking and books to teach kids real-world principles:
- The Tuttle Twins and the Fate of the Future – The twins watch a movie that portrays a future of coercion and realize they must learn how to avoid this. They quickly find that the fate of all of humanity depends on thinking critically to develop ways to work together peacefully and construct a more fruitful society that doesn’t depend on coercion.
- The Tuttle Twins and Their Spectacular Show Business – This not only teaches entrepreneurship but also essential problem-solving skills that require critical thinking. The twins start a new business and learn how to solve the problems that come up when running a business.
- The Tuttle Twins and the Search for Atlas – This book teaches about the free market as kids learn critical-thinking skills along the way. The twins must come up with solutions to the problems that occur when the producers give up and leave the market. They also must think about how people can better practice personal responsibility without having a sense of entitlement.
PHOTO: Tuttle Twins
Evaluating Books that Teach Critical Thinking to Kids
Lots of books on the market claim to teach kids critical thinking, but not all of them do so effectively. First, look for books that present the material clearly and concisely so that your kids can easily understand it. Effective learning requires clear language that makes concepts easy to understand.
Next, you’ll want to look for books that use relevant examples. Books to teach kids real-world principles typically set the stage with clear examples that not only tell a story but also make it easy to understand the concepts that are being taught.
Other things to watch out for when looking at books that teach critical thinking include biases, propaganda, and an agenda. Many books that teach critical thinking contain such content to indoctrinate your kids. For this reason, it’s a good idea to read the book carefully yourself before handing it over to your kids.
PHOTO: Tuttle Twins
Books that teach critical thinking should also be exciting and engaging! If your kids aren’t engaged with the content, they won’t learn anything from it. Retention requires engagement, which can only be achieved through interest in the content.
The book should also teach kids how to apply critical thinking skills to everyday life. After all, if you’re wondering how to raise independent thinkers, teaching them to apply their critical thinking skills to real-life situations is a great start!
Finally, consider the author’s expertise and credibility. If they have multiple books that teach critical thinking under their belt and have established a solid reputation in the subject, it’s a good bet that their titles are worth considering.
If you’re looking for the top children’s book series for families, the Tuttle Twins books are a great place to start. You’ll find many more titles than these that are essential for your bookshelf!
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