Picture Books for the Learner Profiles

The Learner Profiles are at the heart of the IB philosophy, and picture books are a wonderful way to bring them to life for young learners. I have been carefully curating this list and am constantly adding new titles, so be sure to check back often!

💡 I hope this list feels a little more current than some of the others out there — I am always on the lookout for new favorites to add!

Books Organized by Learner Profile

Here are my favorite books for teaching the learner profiles! Enjoy!!

Communicator

I respectfully share my ideas and listen to others. I express my ideas confidently and in many ways.

Click, Clack, MOO: Cows that Type (Doreen Cronin)
Ruby Mae Has Something to Say (David Small)
hello! hello! (Matthew Cordell)
Hello, My Name is Ruby (Philip Stead)
1000 Times No! (Mr. Warburton)
Yo! Yes? (Chris Raschka)
Telephone (Mac Burnett)
Nerdy Birdy Tweets (Aaron Reynolds)
One Word from Sophia (Jim Averback)

Open- Minded

I appreciate the views, values, ideas, and traditions of others.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed (Mo Willems)
City Dog, Country Dog (Mo Willems)
Sunday Chutney (Aaron Blabey)
Flight School (Lita Judge)
Windblown (Edouard Manceau)
Odd Velvet (Mary E. Whitcomb)
They All Saw a Cat (Brendan Wenzel)
The Bedspread (Sylvia Fair)
I Gotta Draw (Bruce Degen)
I Need My Monster (Amanda Noll)
Going Places (Peter and Paul Reynolds)
The Sandwich Swap (Queen Rania Al Abdullah)

Risk-Taker

I am brave and courageous. I try new roles, strategies, and ideas.

The Ricker Racker Club (Patrick Guest)
Thundercake (Patricia Polacco)
Jabari Jumps (Gaia Cornwall)
Koala Lou (Mem Fox)
Giraffes Can’t Dance (Giles Andreae)
Going Places (Paul and Peter Reynolds)

Caring

I think about the needs and feelings of others.

The Ricker Racker Club (Patrick Guest)
Strictly No Elephants (Lisa Mantchev)
Come with Me (Holly McGhee)
Sad, the Dog (Sandy Fussell)
Pickle-Chiffon Pie (Jolly Roger Bradfield)
Koala Lou (Mem Fox)
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge (Mem Fox)
How to Heal a Broken Wing (Bob Graham)

Thinker

I think carefully and creatively to make good decisions and to solve problems.

Millie’s Marvelous Hat (Satoshi Kitamura)
Sarabella’s Thinking Cap (Judy Schachner)
I am Henry Finch (Alexis Deacon)
Going Places (Peter and Paul Reynolds)
The Sandwich Swap (Queen Rania Al Abdullah)

Knowledgeable

I am smart. I know about the world near and far.

Cleversticks (Bernard Ashley)
Calvin Can’t Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie (Jennifer Berne)
Officer Buckle and Gloria (Peggy Rathman)
Rosie Revere, Engineer (Andrea Beaty)
Going Places (Peter and Paul Reynolds)
The Word Collector (Peter Reynolds)
Max and the Bird (Ed Vere)

Principled

I am honest. I am fair, respectful, and responsible.

The Bad Seed (Jory John)
Violet the Pilot (Steve Been)
The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade (Justin Roberts)
Rudecakes (Rowboat Watkins)
We Found a Hat (Jon Klassen)

Balanced

I take care of my mind, my body, and my feelings.

A Fine, Fine School (Sharon Creech)
Ten Tiny Things (Meg McKinlay)
Busy Beaver: Life in the Wild Nicholas Oldland
Calvin, Look Out! A Bookworm Birdie Gets Glasses (Jennifer Berne)

Reflective

I think about my own learning. I think about my strengths and weaknesses in a constructive way.

Rosie Revere, Engineer (Andrea Beaty)
The Liszts (Kyo Maclear)
Shhh! We Have a Plan (Chris Haughton)
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse (Kevin Henkes)
I Need My Monster (Amanda Noll)
Ten Tiny Things (Meg McKinlay)

Inquirer

I am curious. I ask questions. I love to learn.

I Want My Hat Back (Jon Klassen)
Ada Twist, Scientist (Andrea Beatty)
Max the Brave (Ed Were)
Ten Tiny Things (Meg McKinlay)

PYP Learner Profile Bookmarks and Book Box Labels available here.

 What are your favorite books to teach the PYP learner profiles?