10+ Best Picture Books for 7-12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect picture books for 7-12-year-olds that will captivate and educate? You've come to the right place! Whether you're looking to spark creativity or foster a love of reading in your young ones, picture books can be a magical gateway. Keep reading to discover our diverse lists of picture books that are sure to enchant and engage children in this age group. Let's dive into a world of colorful illustrations and compelling stories!

Fun Picture Books for 7-12-Year-Olds

• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young boy named Max, dressed in a wolf suit, makes mischief and is sent to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious wild forest and sea appear, and he sails to the land of the Wild Things.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of childhood adventures and emotions, encouraging imagination and creativity in young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who love using their imagination and exploring new worlds.

• The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Humor, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: The crayons in Duncan's box are fed up with how they are being used and decide to go on strike, each expressing their grievances through letters.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and engaging story that teaches the importance of listening to others' perspectives and problem-solving.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy humor and learning about cooperation and communication.

• Journey by Aaron Becker
  • Genre(s): Wordless, Adventure, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and steps into a world where adventure awaits, armed only with her red marker.
  • Why we recommend this book: This wordless picture book allows children to narrate their own story, boosting creativity and storytelling skills.
  • Perfect for: Visual thinkers and any child who loves crafting their own stories or adventures.

• The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Henry loves books, but not like you and I might love books. He loves to eat them, but soon learns that maybe eating books isn't the best way to enjoy them.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a quirky and imaginative story that celebrates the joy of learning in a unique way.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are curious, love books, and appreciate a good laugh.

• This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Humor, Mystery
  • Synopsis: A little fish steals a hat from a big fish and thinks he can get away with it. The story unfolds with the big fish in pursuit.
  • Why we recommend this book: With its simple yet expressive illustrations and a story with a moral, it teaches honesty and the consequences of our actions in a fun way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories with a bit of suspense and moral lessons.

• The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Cultural
  • Synopsis: Unhei, a young Korean girl, moves to America and decides to choose a new name to fit in, but through her interactions with her new classmates, she learns the value of her own name and heritage.
  • Why we recommend this book: It addresses themes of identity and acceptance, encouraging children to be proud of their origins and empathetic towards others.
  • Perfect for: Children facing or curious about cultural diversity and the meaning of personal identity.

Educational Picture Books for 7-12-Year-Olds

• The Girl Who Thought in Pictures: The Story of Dr. Temple Grandin by Julia Finley Mosca, illustrated by Daniel Rieley
  • Genre(s): Biography, Science
  • Synopsis: This book tells the story of Temple Grandin, a woman who revolutionized the livestock industry while being an advocate for autism awareness.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of autism, animal science, perseverance, and biographical knowledge
  • Why we recommend this book: It's inspirational, showing how someone's unique view of the world can lead to significant contributions.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring scientists and inventors, and anyone interested in animal behavior or overcoming challenges.

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon
  • Genre(s): Biography, Science, Technology
  • Synopsis: This is the true story of a boy from Malawi who builds a windmill from scraps to save his village from drought and famine.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Renewable energy awareness, engineering, resilience, and problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It demonstrates the power of ingenuity and determination in the face of adversity.
  • Perfect for: Young engineers and environmentalists, and kids interested in real-life heroes.

• Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns
  • Genre(s): Biography, Science
  • Synopsis: This book explores the life of Eugenie Clark, a pioneering marine biologist who worked to change people’s perceptions of sharks.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Marine biology, challenging stereotypes, perseverance
  • Why we recommend this book: It celebrates curiosity and dedication, and it's a great example of how passion can drive one to achieve great things.
  • Perfect for: Budding scientists, especially those with an interest in marine life and challenging the status quo.

• Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Science
  • Synopsis: Inspired by real-life makers such as Ada Lovelace and Marie Curie, Ada Twist is a very curious girl who embarks on fact-finding missions and conducts scientific experiments to understand the world.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific inquiry, critical thinking, curiosity
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages questioning and exploring, essential skills for budding scientists.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who always ask "why?" and "how?" about the world around them.

• The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
  • Genre(s): Biography, Environmental Science
  • Synopsis: This book tells the inspiring story of Kate Sessions, who helped transform San Diego into a lush, green oasis.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Environmental awareness, history, botany
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a testament to how one person's efforts can lead to lasting environmental change.
  • Perfect for: Nature lovers and young environmentalists interested in how they can make a difference in their communities.

Challenging Picture Books for 7-12-Year-Olds

• The Arrival by Shaun Tan
  • Genre(s): Wordless, Fantasy, Immigration
  • Synopsis: This graphic novel tells the story of an immigrant's journey to a new world, depicted entirely through detailed, wordless illustrations.
  • Why this book is challenging: The absence of text requires readers to interpret complex themes and emotions solely through the artwork, enhancing their analytical and inferential skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It promotes empathy and understanding of the immigrant experience through powerful and evocative imagery.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and readers interested in social themes and storytelling through art.

• The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
  • Genre(s): Horror, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Lucy hears noises from within the walls of her house and suspects that wolves are living in them, despite her family's disbelief.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book deals with dark themes and complex emotions, paired with sophisticated narrative techniques that challenge younger readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines suspense and a unique artistic style to engage readers while encouraging them to confront and overcome their fears.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy thrilling stories and exploring deeper psychological themes.

• The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Surrealism
  • Synopsis: A young girl finds herself lost in a dark and emotional world, eventually discovering hope in the form of a bright red tree.
  • Why this book is challenging: It explores complex themes of depression and hope through abstract and metaphorical imagery, requiring readers to think deeply about the emotions depicted.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a visually stunning book that offers a hopeful perspective on overcoming personal darkness and finding light.
  • Perfect for: Readers interested in art and deeper emotional exploration.

• The Garden of Abdul Gasazi by Chris Van Allsburg
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: When Alan loses a dog he's supposed to be watching, he ventures into the mysterious garden of Abdul Gasazi, where he encounters unexpected magical twists.
  • Why this book is challenging: The intricate illustrations and the subtle interplay between reality and fantasy challenge readers to distinguish between what is real and what is imagined.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating adventure that stimulates the imagination and encourages creative thinking.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love mysteries and magical adventures.

• The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A collection of images each accompanied by a single line of text, inviting readers to create their own stories.
  • Why this book is challenging: The open-ended nature of the book encourages creative thinking and storytelling, pushing readers to construct narratives from minimal prompts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It serves as a unique catalyst for creativity and writing, allowing readers to engage actively with the illustrations and text.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring writers and artists, and anyone who loves to engage their imagination to tell stories.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 7-12-year-olds develop good reading habits with picture books, you're in the right place! Picture books are not just fun; they're a fantastic tool for fostering a love of reading and improving literacy skills. Here are some engaging exercises that can help enhance their reading experience:

• Create a Picture Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a small group of friends to read and discuss a picture book.
  • How it helps: Encourages social interaction and verbal expression while discussing the story.
  • Tips: Choose a regular time and place for meetings to make it a routine event.

• Story Map Drawing
  • What it is: Draw a map or a timeline of the story after reading a picture book.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding the sequence of events and the structure of stories.
  • Tips: Use different colors or symbols to mark important events and characters.

• Character Diary Entries
  • What it is: Write diary entries from the perspective of a character in the book.
  • How it helps: Develops empathy and deeper understanding of characters.
  • Tips: Encourage creativity and imagination in expressing the character's feelings and thoughts.

• Picture Book Scavenger Hunt
  • What it is: Create a list of items or themes to find within the picture books.
  • How it helps: Enhances observational skills and attention to detail.
  • Tips: Make the scavenger hunt a fun competition with small rewards.

• Read and Draw
  • What it is: After reading a book, draw a new cover or a favorite scene from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages artistic expression and helps with comprehension and recall.
  • Tips: Display the artwork somewhere at home to celebrate the effort.

• Question Bowl
  • What it is: Write down questions about the story on pieces of paper and put them in a bowl.
  • How it helps: Improves memory and understanding of the book's content.
  • Tips: Take turns drawing questions from the bowl and discussing the answers.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book with friends or family members.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of the story and characters through performance.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role play more exciting.

Incorporating these exercises into your reading routine can make reading picture books an even more dynamic and enriching experience for young readers. Not only do they make reading fun, but they also build essential skills that will serve them well throughout their educational journey. So, grab some books, pick an exercise, and start fostering those good reading habits today!