From Animal Migration to Einstein’s Theory of Relativity: 7 New Educational Picture Books to Help Kids Learn and Grow

Our World is Relative, by Julia Sooy, illustrated by Molly Walsh
Through to-the-point text and relatable illustrations, this title distills Einstein’s theory of relativity down to examples to which kids can connect. A girl is big compared to an inchworm, but small compared to the houses on her street. She’s still when sitting with her mom, but moving fast if their seat is on a speeding train. For kids interested in measurement, or those who just like to ponder the way the world works, this is a compelling introduction to an endlessly ponderable concept.

How to Code a Rollercoaster, by Josh Funk, illustrated by Sara Palacios
Pearl and her trusty (but appropriately literal) robot-buddy Pascal are back in this follow-up to How to Code a Sandcastle that uses basic coding concepts to tackle a classic amusement park challenge: planning your approach to nab a spot on a popular ride. The story introduces vocabulary like variable, loop, value, and sequence as Pearl spends her tokens on the Ferris wheel, carnival games, and ice cream and waits for the line at the Python Coaster to wane. Kids will enjoy boosting their computer knowledge while also reliving their favorite fun park experiences.

Did You Burp? How to Ask Questions (or Not!), by April Pulley Sayre, illustrated by Leeza Hernandez
Have you ever really thought about the expansive function of a question? Veteran children’s nonfiction author April Pulley Sayre breaks down this surprisingly complex topic with touches of humor kids will love. It’s perfect for the kid constantly asking “why?”, as an elementary classroom introduction to questioning, or to gently drive home some key points about the types of questions it is appropriate to ask—or not—in different situations. (For classroom teachers, or anyone who makes presentations to children, jump right to the “difference between a question and a comment” section. The explanations and examples are gold!)

Ralph Masiello’s Alien Drawing Book, by Ralph Masiello
Ralph Masiello’s drawing books are great for bolstering kids’ confidence to draw the things they love—in this case fantastic space creatures—and for helping them slow down and think through a task step-by-step. Less prescribed than other how-to-draw books, Masiello encourages kids to add their own flair by providing an “Alien Spare Parts Warehouse” section. With directions for making three types of eyes, four types of antennae, two kids of robot legs, “hairy arms with bird mouths,” and more, the plethora of options for creating unique extraterrestrials will keep kids engaged for hours.

The Day Punctuation Came to Town, by Kimberlee Gard, illustrated by Sandie Sonke
Punctuation: It’s important, but often confusing or underappreciated by kids (and adults)! The Punctuations are a new family in town, and when Period, Exclamation Point, Question Mark, and Comma show up at school, they cause quite a stir. Linguistic mishaps lead to a shared understanding in this charming explanatory tale.

If Pluto Was a Pea, by Gabrielle Prendergast, illustrated by Rebecca Gerlings
Two friends camp in the backyard and, with classic childlike wonder, ponder the size of dwarf planet Pluto. A space book helps them determine that if Pluto was a pea, the sun would be the size of their tent, Mercury would be a marble, Venus would be a Ping-Pong ball, and so on through the solar system. Build kids’ understanding of comparative sizes and the scale of the cosmos, and heck, if you gather assorted balls and round fruits, you could even build your own copycat solar system model, too.

Migration: Incredible Animal Journeys, by Mike Unwin, illustrated by Jenni Desmond
Nature provides the most awesome stories. Twenty captivating vignettes tell about the migration of animals, from familiar examples like the humpback whale and the emperor penguin, to lesser-known species like the blue wildebeest and the Christmas Island red crab. (This one is fascinating once you stop shuddering at the image of thousands of crabs emerging from the forest, en route to the ocean, pincers snapping.) This is a gorgeous keepsake title to which both children and adults will enjoy returning to again and again.