The attribute above is one of the most important skills an individual can have. In life we're presented with problems on a daily basis - Creative thinking allows us to solve these challenges. As parents, to adequately prepare our children to thrive in life, it makes sense that we should foster our children's ability to think outside the box. But how?
Maybe you, like myself, have heard that reading is a wonderful way to develop creativity! Unlike movies that play everything out for the viewer, reading books causes our brains to exercise the "creativity muscle" by engaging our own imaginations. When pursuing the topic, I was interested to see Dr. Anthony D. Fredericks take it another step further in his article for Psychology Today.
"One of the best ways to become more creative is to read biographies. How did each individual solve problems in their field? How did they generate new ideas or innovative thoughts? How did those individuals meet the challenges of their day?"
Reading biographies, specifically, is instrumental! Of course we're gaining knowledge from the content of the books we read - But what if that content is actually encouraging brainstorming, walking us through the steps of problem solving and demonstrating perseverance? Biographies, especially those of individuals known for their clever contributions, understandably promote that valued trait of creativity... and we have some books for that!
Here are some stories about innovative thinkers
to ignite creativity in your children!
Taking Flight: How the Wright Brothers Conquered the Skies
By Adam Hancher (Author)
Ages: 3-8
The Boo-Boos That Changed the World:
A True Story About an Accidental Invention (Really!)
By Barry Wittenstein (Author)
Chris Hsu (Illustrator)
Ages: 4-8
Nothing Stopped Sophie: The Story of Unshakable Mathematician Sophie Germain
By Cheryl Bardoe (Author)
Barbara McClintock (Illustrator)
Ages: 4-8
John Deere, That's Who!
By Tracy Nelson Maurer (Author)
Tim Zeltner (Illustrator)
Ages: 4-8
A Weed Is a Flower:
The Life of George Washington Carver
By Aliki
Ages: 4-8
Six Dots:
A Story of Young Louis Braille
By Jen Bryant (Author)
Boris Kulikov (Illustrator)
Ages: 4-8
The Crayon Man
By Natascha Biebow (Author)
Steven Salerno (Illustrator)
Ages: 6-9
The Story of Benjamin Franklin:
A Biography Book for New Readers
By Shannon Anderson MA (Author)
Ages: 6-9
Mr. Ferris and His Wheel
By Kathryn Gibbs Davis (Author)
Gilbert Ford (Illustrator)
By: 6-10
Marvelous Mattie
By National Geographic Learning
Ages: 7-11
I, Galileo
By Bonnie Christensen
Ages: 8-12