Please welcome my guest author today, Margaret Chiu Greanias, with her list of picture books for introverts.
What is an introvert? It’s a concept created by the father of psychology Carl Jung. WebMD defines it as: “An introvert is a person with qualities of a personality type known as introversion, which means that they feel more comfortable focusing on their inner thoughts and ideas, rather than what’s happening externally. They enjoy spending time with just one or two people, rather than large groups or crowds.”
I view introversion versus extroversion as how one gets energy. Introverts get drained from social interactions with groups, while extroverts find it energizing.
Famous introverts include Albert Einstein, Rosa Parks, Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Sir Isaac Newton, Eleanor Roosevelt, J.K. Rowling, Michael Jordon, Meryl Streep, Mahatma Gandhi, and Barack Obama.
I took the Myers-Briggs personality test and discovered that I’m an extrovert but I’m right on the cusp. How about you? If you want to take the Myers-Briggs test to find out, I found it free here. What are your favorite picture books featuring introverts? Thanks for sharing your favorite books!
We are giving away a copy of Hooked on Books by Margaret Chiu Greanias, illustrated by Kristyna Litten. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
p.s. More picture books on a particular topic:
Children’s Books on Climate Change and Environmental Justice
Children’s Books About What You Can Be When You Grow Up
Voting and Election Children’s Books
Picture Books for Introverts
Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
Gustavo is a ghost whose shyness makes everyday tasks difficult and who finds it especially terrifying to make friends. To make matters worse, being a ghost, Gustavo is hard to see until he decides to invite his fellow monsters to an event where everyone can see him. Charming and colorful illustrations and a heartwarming story make this a fun and relatable read for anyone who must make the effort to stand out and be visible. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Hooked on Books by Margaret Chiu Greanias, illustrated by Kristyna Litten
Pearl, a deep sea anglerfish who uses her lighted lure to read, just wants to finish reading her book. But she keeps getting interrupted by the other deep sea creatures. So she escapes down, down, down into the deeper sea zones for some peace and quiet. Readers curious about the deep sea will learn the names of the deep sea zones and see real deep sea creatures found in these zones illustrated in this book about wanting alone time but also needing connection. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
How to Party Like A Snail by Naseem Hrab, illustrated by Kelly Collier
Snail likes parties, but only the quieter, less party-like aspects of parties. When she isn’t being invited to more parties, she decides to throw her own filled with all the things she likes–like warm milk and lullabies. Except something is missing in this adorably reassuring and funny story about an introverted snail who feels like a party pooper in an extroverted world. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Love Birds by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Ann Wilson
Jon hasn’t talked to anyone his own age since he moved to a new town. He is more of a listener than a talker, and while he listens to everything, he most likes to listen to birds. Until one evening, his answer to an owl call leads him to meet–another listener with a shared passion–in this lovely and reassuring story about how two “birds” of a feather find each other. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
KINDergarten by Vera Ahiyya, illustrated by Joey Chu
It’s Leo’s first day of kindergarten, and like many new students, he is nervous about starting school. He would rather stay somewhere safe and quiet than have a new adventure. His new kindergarten teacher begins the school year by sharing a Kindness Pledge, which the students add to throughout the day. To Leo’s surprise, even though he’s not speaking out and saying kind things, he’s getting lots of attention from his classmates who notice he does kind things in this gently reassuring story about a main character who is celebrated for their actions rather than words. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Mole Is Not Alone by Maya Tatsukawa
Mole receives a party invitation from his friend Rabbit and wonders whether they should go to the party. Ultimately, they decide to go, and even make cream puffs to bring. But on the long way there, they reconsider several times, until they reach the party and a surprise awaits. A book very relatable to those who feel anxious about attending parties. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Sometimes It’s Nice To Be Alone by Amy Hest, illustrated by Philip Stead
Though a girl enjoys spending time alone, sometimes she is unexpectedly joined by an animal friend which can be equally nice. A picture book celebration of alone time, imagination, and the joy that a friend can bring. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Sound of Silence by Katrina Goldsaito, illustrated by Julia Kuo
Little observant Yoshio is on a mission to find the sound of silence in busy, noisy Tokyo. He searches everywhere, even hoping to stay awake through the night when all the sounds of his family and life quiet down. But he falls asleep and is disappointed to have missed it until he finds it when he least expects it. [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Hooked On Books Picture Book GIVEAWAY!
We are giving away a copy of Hooked on Books by Margaret Chiu Greanias, illustrated by Kristyna Litten. To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. We can only mail to U.S. and A.F.O. addresses.
Margaret Greanias is a children’s book author who writes books to delight children, including MAXIMILLIAN VILLAINOUS (Running Press Kids, 2018), AMAH FARAWAY (Bloomsbury Kids, 2022), HOOKED ON BOOKS (Peachtree Publishing, 2023), and HOW THIS BOOK GOT RED (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2023). The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, three children, and a fluffle of dust bunnies. Find her online at margaretgreanias.com, and on Twitter and Instagram.
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My books:
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
