Books About Cleverness · 53 titles considered

The Best Cleverness Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about cleverness? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Series

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Cleverness

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 1970

Fantastic Mr. Fox

By Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake (Illustrator)

A clever fox outsmarts three mean farmers to steal food for his family and friends

81 pages· 9,912 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 152,553 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Fantastic Mr. Fox is in a tight spot. Three ruthless farmers, Boggis, Bunce, and Bean, have teamed up to capture him after he pilfers their goods. With his family trapped and danger closing in, Mr. Fox must devise an ingenious escape plan. Can his cunning outsmart their relentless pursuit, or will the farmers finally claim victory? The stakes are high, and only a truly fantastic plan can ensure survival. Dive into this thrilling tale of wit and survival, where every move could be Mr. Fox's last.

Sale price

$379

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1983

Bony-legs

By Joanna Cole, Dirk Zimmer (Illustrator)

A girl must outsmart a witch with the help of unlikely allies.

48 pages· 859 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,468 ratings

$3.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Captured by a fearsome witch, young Sasha faces a grim fate. But with the aid of a creaking gate, a loyal dog, and a clever cat, she might just escape. As the witch prepares her cauldron, Sasha must use her wits and the magical gifts from her newfound friends—a mirror and a comb—to outmaneuver her captor. Can Sasha turn the tables on the witch and find her way to freedom, or will she become the witch's next meal? Discover the power of friendship and courage in this enchanting tale.

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1998

Stone Soup

By Heather Forest, Susan Gaber (Illustrator)

Two travelers spark generosity in a village with a mysterious stone soup.

32 pages· 865 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.2 Goodreads · 542 ratings

$16.95Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Two weary travelers arrive in a village, hoping for a meal, but find closed doors and empty hands. Undeterred, they concoct a plan using a simple stone to inspire the villagers to share. As the pot simmers, will the villagers' hearts warm to the idea of community and generosity? Discover how a humble stone becomes the key to unlocking abundance and kindness in a place where scarcity seemed to reign. What magic does this stone hold, and can it truly transform a village?

Sale price

$958

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1987

Heckedy Peg

By Audrey Wood, Don Wood (Illustrator)

A witch transforms seven siblings into food; only their mother can save them.

32 pages· 1,013 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

4.3 Goodreads · 4,453 ratings

$9.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: Seven siblings, each named after a day of the week, fall victim to a witch's curse, transforming them into food. Their only hope lies with their mother, who must outwit the witch to break the spell. Can she save her children before it's too late? This tale of magic and maternal love unfolds with timeless charm and suspense, drawing readers into a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Sale price

$1449

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 1971

Stone Soup

By Ann McGovern

A mysterious soup made from stones unites a town.

32 pages· 938 words· Est. 8 min read-aloud

4.3 Goodreads · 29,149 ratings

$15.25Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In a quaint village, a clever traveler claims he can make soup from a stone. As curious townsfolk gather, each contributes an ingredient, transforming the simple stone into a hearty feast. What begins as a trick becomes a lesson in community and sharing. Can one man's ingenuity bring a town together over a pot of soup?

Sale price

$2089

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 1997

One Grain of Rice

By Demi

A clever girl uses math to teach a greedy raja a lesson in fairness.

40 pages· 1,089 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

4.3 Goodreads · 3,219 ratings

$21.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In a land plagued by famine, a raja hoards rice, leaving his people hungry. Enter Rani, a village girl with a cunning plan. Granted a reward for her good deed, she requests a single grain of rice, doubled each day for thirty days. As the grains multiply, Rani's cleverness reveals the true power of wisdom and fairness, challenging the raja's greed. Will the raja learn the value of sharing before it's too late? Discover the surprising outcome in this tale of mathematical magic and moral insight.

Sale price

$1398

Chapter Book · Ages 5–8 · 1919

Aesop's Fables for Children

By Milo Winter

Discover timeless animal tales with hidden lessons in Aesop's fables.

112 pages· 26,976 words· Est. 5 hour read

4.3 Goodreads · 7,761 ratings

$14.99Save 7%

Paperback

Summary: Journey into the world of Aesop's fables, where animals embark on adventures that reveal timeless truths. Meet the cunning fox, the patient tortoise, and the wise ant as they navigate life's challenges. With over 130 stories, each fable offers a moral lesson wrapped in charming simplicity. This collection, complete with vibrant illustrations and audio recordings, invites readers to explore the wisdom of ancient Greece. What truths will you uncover in these classic tales?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2008

Arabian Nights

By Lucy Corvino (Illustrator) · Classic Starts series

A storyteller spins tales to captivate a king and save her life.

160 pages· 20,241 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.2 Goodreads · 497 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Scheherazade faces a perilous challenge: tell captivating tales to King Shahryar each night to delay her execution. With stories of genies, demons, and magical adventures, she weaves a spellbinding narrative. Will her storytelling prowess be enough to win her freedom, or will the king's wrath prevail? Dive into a world where every tale holds the power of life and death.

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1986

A Grain of Rice

By Helena Clare Pittman

A farmer's clever request turns a grain of rice into unimaginable wealth.

112 pages· 3,112 words· Est. 26 min read

4.1 Goodreads · 2,600 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: In fifteenth-century China, humble farmer Pong Lo saves a princess's life and earns a reward from the Emperor. Instead of riches, he asks for a grain of rice, doubled daily for 100 days. As the Emperor obliges, he realizes Pong Lo's wisdom could change everything. Can a simple request lead to fortune and happiness?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1963

By the Great Horn Spoon!

By Sid Fleischman, Brett Helquist (Illustrator)

A boy and his butler seek gold in California to save his family from ruin.

224 pages· 39,276 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.1 Goodreads · 8,616 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Twelve-year-old Jack embarks on a daring quest to save his family from financial ruin by striking gold in California. Accompanied by his loyal butler, Praiseworthy, Jack stows away on a ship bound for the Gold Rush. Facing sailors, outlaws, and wild animals, their journey is fraught with danger and excitement. Will Jack's gamble pay off, or will he return home empty-handed? This thrilling adventure captures the spirit of the old west and the relentless pursuit of fortune.

The Bookroo Book Club