Children prefer storybooks that teach them how and why the world works, study says

By Kristen Rogers, CNN

Updated 1415 GMT (2215 HKT) April 16, 2020

"Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak: Sendak doesn't only describe the dreamlike journey the main character, Max, takes and the land of the Wild Things. He explains why Max is upset with his mother, why he leaves for the land of the Wild Things and what urges his ultimate return home.
Photos: Cause and effect picture books that teach toddlers how the world works
A child's journey – "Where the Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak: Sendak doesn't only describe the dreamlike journey the main character, Max, takes and the land of the Wild Things. He explains why Max is upset with his mother, why he leaves for the land of the Wild Things and what urges his ultimate return home.
Hide Caption
1 of 12
"The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein: Silverstein leads children through the evolving stages of relationships through the bond of a boy and an apple tree, showing how friends can make each other feel with the things they say and do.
Photos: Cause and effect picture books that teach toddlers how the world works
The nature of friendship – "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein: Silverstein leads children through the evolving stages of relationships through the bond of a boy and an apple tree, showing how friends can make each other feel with the things they say and do.
Hide Caption
2 of 12
"If You Give a Moose a Muffin" by Laura Numeroff: If-then scenarios involving a moose comically explain cause and effect for young readers.
Photos: Cause and effect picture books that teach toddlers how the world works
Hypotheses and conclusions – "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" by Laura Numeroff: If-then scenarios involving a moose comically explain cause and effect for young readers.
Hide Caption
3 of 12
"Rube Goldberg's Simple Normal Humdrum School Day" by Jennifer George: Rube designs chain reactions to help him with tasks such as brushing his teeth and getting dressed. Diagrams of the machines make clear the order of operations and how each part affects the other.
Photos: Cause and effect picture books that teach toddlers how the world works
Chain reactions – "Rube Goldberg's Simple Normal Humdrum School Day" by Jennifer George: Rube designs chain reactions to help him with tasks such as brushing his teeth and getting dressed. Diagrams of the machines make clear the order of operations and how each part affects the other.
Hide Caption
4 of 12
"Don't Slam the Door" by Dori Chaconas: Chaconas brings the domino effect to the farm when a dog causes a screen door to slam and wake the cat, wreaking havoc all throughout the house.
Photos: Cause and effect picture books that teach toddlers how the world works
Chaotic consequences – "Don't Slam the Door" by Dori Chaconas: Chaconas brings the domino effect to the farm when a dog causes a screen door to slam and wake the cat, wreaking havoc all throughout the house.
Hide Caption
5 of 12
"The Rain Came Down" by David Shannon: An unexpected downpour captures the chaos that follows for a boy and his animal friends.
Photos: Cause and effect picture books that teach toddlers how the world works
When weather changes the day's course – "The Rain Came Down" by David Shannon: An unexpected downpour captures the chaos that follows for a boy and his animal friends.
Hide Caption
6 of 12
"Stuck" by Oliver Jeffers: When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he attempts to knock it out using several strategies including throwing random things at it, which also lodge themselves in the tree. Kids can keep guessing at what he'll try next, predicting what will finally work to set the kite flying free.
Photos: Cause and effect picture books that teach toddlers how the world works
Utilizing kid logic – "Stuck" by Oliver Jeffers: When Floyd's kite gets stuck in a tree, he attempts to knock it out using several strategies including throwing random things at it, which also lodge themselves in the tree. Kids can keep guessing at what he'll try next, predicting what will finally work to set the kite flying free.
Hide Caption
7 of 12
"The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss: When the Truffula Trees are harvested in this vibrant world, animal homes and the landscape are destroyed, serving as a cautionary tale for what can happen if we don't care for the environment.
Photos: Cause and effect picture books that teach toddlers how the world works
A cautionary tale – "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss: When the Truffula Trees are harvested in this vibrant world, animal homes and the landscape are destroyed, serving as a cautionary tale for what can happen if we don't care for the environment.
Hide Caption
8 of 12