How innovators approach the world sets the stage for what’s possible. The Innovator’s Mindset—one aspect of the approach that informs all of Galileo’s programs—is one that is visionary, courageous, collaborative, determined, and reflective.
This mindset isn’t just the stuff of summer. One way to focus on developing this mindset at home is by sharing stories that highlight these sensibilities—your own or those from books—and then discussing how similar themes come up in your child’s world.
Books about Vision
From Malala Yousafzai to Mahatma Gandhi, Marvin Gaye to Dolores Huerta to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we take time to teach our children about these visionary leaders who changed the world.
- “Chalk” by Bill Thomson
- “Christina Katerina & the Box” by Patricia Lee Gauch
- “What Do You Do with an Idea?” by Kobi Yamada
- “On a Beam of Light” by Jennifer Berne
- “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
Read more about these titles here.
Books about Courage
Wherever and whenever they are called to face their fears, we all want our children to respond by using their authentic voices and leaning in to show the challenge who’s boss.
- “Froodle” by Antoinette Portis
- “Jabari Jumps” by Gaia Cornwall
- “Fraidyzoo” by Thyra Heder
- “Mary Wears What She Wants” by Keith Negley
- “Drum Dream Girl” by Margarita Engle
Read more about these titles here.
Books about Collaboration
Collaboration is one of the four Cs of 21st-century skills, essential to helping children to grow up ready to thrive in today’s complex life and work environments. that.
- “Duck! Rabbit!” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal
- “Wolf in the Snow” by Matthew Cordell
- “Big Pumpkin” by Erica Silverman
- “Claymates” by Dev Petty
- “Journey” by Aaron Becker
Read more about these titles here.
Books about Determination
We all want our children to grow up as determined adults with the perseverance and passion to achieve their goals. These stories include characters with serious grit.
- “The Girl and The Bicycle” by Mark Pett
- “Izzy Gizmo” by Pip Jones
- “She’s Got This” by Laurie Hernandez
- “Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah” by Laurie Ann Thompson
- “The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read” by Rita Lorraine Hubbard
Read more about these titles here.
Books about Reflection
We all experience moments, probably daily, that call us to be reflective—to take a step back and contemplate what is and isn’t working in a given situation. We want our children to be able to do this, too.
- “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires
- “The Three Billy Goats Fluff” by Rachel Mortimer
- “Please Please the Bees” by Gerald Kelley
- “Ben Franklin’s Big Splash” by Barb Rosenstock
- “Willow” by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemary Brennan
Read more about these titles here.
