Picture Books for Quirky Kids

I had every intention of joining this marvelous celebration of picture books - and then my summer got busy. I am sure that you've all been there, right? Yet I woke up this morning with a great idea for my perfect list, and so I'm typing like mad to get it completed before the rest of the house wakes up and I am required to get packed for our trip today.

So, please pardon my mess. Excuse any typos or incomplete thoughts - and just enjoy some fabulous books for quirky kids of all ages.




1) Odd Duck is a celebration of all the slightly off beat, the creative, the persnickety. More of a graphic novel than a straight up picture book, this is still the perfect way to start off a list of books for kids who see themselves as "odd ducks", or those who wonder why everyone else isn't just like them.

I finished reading  this one (which I was thrilled to win from KidLitFrenzy) and had every intention of doing a full review. Alas, time has slipped away and it may not happen. I still can't wait to share this one in my classroom in the fall!

Odd Duck
by Cecil Castellucci (Goodreads Author), Sara Varon (Illustrations)
Hardcover, 96 pages
Published May 14th 2013 by First Second
ISBN 1596435577 (ISBN13: 9781596435575)



The Inquisitive - the seekers of knowledge: 


2) Infinity and Me - this one did a get a full review here on the blog. (Check it out!) A wonderful exploration for kids who can't get enough of the question "What is infinity?". Yes, I do often have kids like this in my class. I borrowed this one from my building library to share with my students.

Infinity and Me
by Kate Hosford, Gabi Swiatkowska (Illustrator)
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published October 2012 by Lerner Publishing Group

(first published June 1st 2012)
ISBN 0761367268 (ISBN13: 9780761367260)

3) On a Beam of Light - I'm sure you can tell from just the cover that this is about Einstein. Those same kids who want to know about the infinite are often so curious about this thinker with the silly smile and scraggly hair. This picture book is the perfect introduction. Check out my full review on the blog... 

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein
by Jennifer Berne (Goodreads Author)

Hardcover, 56 pages
Published April 23rd 2013 by Chronicle Books
ISBN 0811872351 (ISBN13: 9780811872355)

4) You Are Stardust

You may get the feeling that my students tend to be into math and science - and you'd be right. Yes, they are also fascinated with other topics, but these tend to be the biggies. A great introduction to the wonders of our universe, and how interconnected we are with all of nature.

This one also got a full review on my blog.


You Are Stardust
by Elin Kelsey, Soyeon Kim (Illustrations)

Hardcover, 32 pages
Published September 11th 2012 by Owlkids Books
ISBN 1926973356 (ISBN13: 9781926973357)

5)  The Boy Who Loved Math

Yes, girls love math too. This is a biography of Paul Erdos - a man who is apparently famous in math circles but was a new name to me! He not only made a life out of the math he loved, but he was also a serious "people person". I love that! Often there is a misconcept that the "odd ducks" who adore math are loners or avoid crowds. This was a nice way to introduce cool math concepts AND the idea that math can be a social endeavor. As a recent read, I haven't gotten a chance to do a full review - yet. 

The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos
by Deborah Heiligman, LeUyen Pham (Illustrations)

Hardcover, 44 pages
Published June 25th 2013 by Roaring Brook Press (first published June 11th 2013)
ISBN 1596433078 (ISBN13: 9781596433076)

6) Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?

Never fear - I had no intention of neglecting a great biography of an amazing WOMAN in science! I teach upper elementary, which tends to be the start of the slide of girls out of STEM fields. I do my best to "stem the tide" of that departure with as many books and news stories of women in science as I can find! (Did you know there is currently an amazing woman - Karen L Nyberg -  on the ISS? She's great to follow on social media, too. https://twitter.com/AstroKarenN ) 

I did a full review of this great book on the blog earlier this year. This is the book I chose as my read-aloud for a summer reading kickoff at my school, too! 

Who Says Women Can't Be Doctors?: The Story of Elizabeth Blackwell
by Tanya Lee Stone (Goodreads Author), Marjorie Priceman (Illustrations)

Hardcover, 40 pages
Published February 19th 2013 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
ISBN 0805090487 (ISBN13: 9780805090482)

7) Here Come the Girl Scouts!

Yes, another great girl power biography. Personally, I teared up several times reading about this amazing lady. Give those girls - quirky or not - fabulous role models.

Here Come the Girl Scouts!: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette 'Daisy' Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure
by Shana Corey, Hadley Hooper (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 40 pages
Published January 1st 2012 by Scholastic Press
ISBN 0545342783 (ISBN13: 9780545342780)

8) Bill the Boy Wonder

This one may be about a man - and Batman - but the intriguing story behind this icon will fascinate comic and superhero lovers of all types. (Can you tell I'm running low on time? My descriptions are getting shorter!!) 

Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman
by Marc Tyler Nobleman (Goodreads Author), Ty Templeton (Illustrator)

Hardcover, 48 pages
Published July 1st 2012 by Charlesbridge Publishing
original title
Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-Creator of Batman
ISBN 1580892892 (ISBN13: 9781580892896)

The Anxiety Prone: Some of my favorite "quirky kids" tend to be on the anxious side. I can't believe I've never read any Scaredy Squirrel books before yesterday - but they totally make my list of books for quirky kids! 

9) Scaredy Squirrel

This one was free on iTunes yesterday, and I'm so glad I grabbed it to read! Scaredy Squirrel makes elaborate plans to avoid all the things that make him nervous at the beach... I know a lot of kids (and adults... cough... me) like this. 

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach (Scaredy Squirrel)
by Mélanie Watt
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published March 1st 2008 by Kids Can Press (first published January 1st 2008)
original title Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach (Scaredy Squirrel)
ISBN 1554532256 (ISBN13: 9781554532254)

Well - this one may not be just "Quirky Kids" - but it was a HUGE hit this year with my students of all ages (first to fifth)

Don't miss the hysterical... the side splitting ... the pee inducing (yes, I had a child laugh so hard I was concerned for his health).....

I HATE Picture Books!

Seriously - put this one in your library NOW! Great art, funny and endearing story. 

I Hate Picture Books!
by Timothy Young (Goodreads Author)
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published February 28th 2013 by Schiffer Publishing
ISBN
0764343874 (ISBN13: 9780764343872)

Whew - I made it! 

Check out more lists at Reflect and Refine   and Enjoy and Embrace Learning.