Children’s Books that Encourage the Entrepreneurial Mindset

A few years ago, I went to a forum about the Black community. The speakers at the event articulated one common theme: the need for more entrepreneurs in the Black community. In addition, these speakers asserted that entrepreneurship should be a class taught in high school. The idea of teaching about entrepreneurship in school is a great idea. However, I believe it should begin earlier in the educational process. I believe we can teach the basics of entrepreneurship as early as elementary school . Yes, you read that last sentence right; I said elementary school.

As a former university lecturer of entrepreneurship in South Africa’s top business school, I taught courses and built programs in entrepreneurial development. Some of the basic concepts I encountered in my professional experience are represented in this booklist. Ideas like the entrepreneurial dream, enduring and bouncing back from failure (self-efficacy), innovative thinking, etc… Three of the books in this list, Fancy Party Gowns, When the Beat was Born, and Whoosh! offer a view of the entrepreneurial process from idea to reality. For parents and caregivers seeking to expose children to entrepreneurial ideas, this is the book list for you!

Overview of Entrepreneurship

What does it mean to Be an Entrepreneur by Rana DiOrio and Emma Dryden is a must read book for aspiring entrepreneurs. This book provides children with an overview of entrepreneurship. The authors present seven steps of entrepreneurship in a simple and kid friendly manner. The fun and engaging illustrations by Ken Min offer children a chance to laugh and learn at the same time. For parents, you can use this book to expose your young dreamer to the basics of entrepreneurship. In sum, this is a must-read book!

The Entrepreneurial Dream & Mindset

What Do I Do With an Idea is a powerful book about dreaming out loud. The book begins with a little boy who has an idea that he struggles to share with the world. By the end of the story, the main character does something really special with the idea. This is a great book to teach children the importance of being bold, confident, and courageous in creating and sharing their ideas with the world.

Little Man is a story of a young boy who combines an entrepreneurial mindset with hard work. When the main character wants to purchase a bike and drumming lessons, he creates and executes a plan. Through the encouragement of his father and support of his community, he is able to use his talents to make his dream a reality. This is a great book that shows an African-American boy developing the ability to solve a problem using his talents.

Self-Efficacy

After the Fall is a great book about self-efficacy. The book is an extension of the classic Humpty Dumpty story. In this part of the story, he is trying to live life and walk in his purpose. The author takes us on an emotional journey of how Humpty learned to overcome his fear of heights. Readers will be surprise at the book’s ending. This book is a tool to teach children that a failure is a learning tool that helps them walk in their purpose. This is a must read for young dreamers.

It’s Ok to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr is a great read. The simplistic & colorful pictures frame a powerful message: making mistakes creates the possibility to learn. Learning from mistakes also creates opportunities for kids to become better versions of themselves. Another great gift for young readers!

Innovative Thinking

Today I will Fly is a great book that encourages unconventional thinking. When Piggie takes on a mission to fly, her friend Gerald tells her it is an impossible task. Every attempt she tries to fly, Gerald is there to tell her she did not do it, but she does not stop trying. This is an amazing book that can teach children about the power of an entrepreneurial thinking and acting. Instead of focusing on the problem, she focuses on the opportunity and figures out how to fly! This is a #MustRead!

Going Places by Peter Reynolds is an amazing book about innovation and entrepreneurial thinking. When a class is given a boxcar set. Each set has instructions that the students should follow in order to build a car for a race, but two students decide to create something new and different out of their boxcar project. This is a story that will inspire children to develop the courage to be unconventional thinkers and innovative.

Can I Play Too? by Mo Willems be a powerful is a must read book about solving a problem using innovative thinking. Piggie and Gerald are throwing a ball, then their friend snake comes along. They quickly realize that he cannot throw the ball because he does not have arms. Gerald and Piggie must solve the problem. At the end of the story, they create an simple yet innovative way for all of them to have fun. This is a great book to start the conversation with kids about how to solve pressing problems.

Biographies about Entrepreneurs and Innovators

Fancy Party Gown by Deborah Blumenthal is the biography of an Africana Entrepreneurial Hero Ann Cole Lowe. This inspirational story begins with Lowe recognizing her talent as a child to a woman who made dresses for prominent women of her time. Parents looking to teach their kids how to become entrepreneurial will see this book as a valuable tool. The author does a masterful job at showing how Lowe used an entrepreneurial mindset to move beyond barriers that sought to rob her of the chance of accomplishing her dream. In an age where traditional employment is rapidly evaporating, we must teach our children to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and spirit needed to thrive. This book enables children to begin the process of developing the aforementioned abilities.

When the Beat was Born is a biography of Jamaican born musical innovator and Hip-Hop legend Clive Campbell AKA Kool Herc. The author discusses the Herc’s early Jamaican musical inspirations and how he used them to aid in the development of Hip Hop. The beautiful pictures provide readers with positive and uplifting images of Black life in the early 80s. This book teaches children that they too can become innovators if they pursue something they love with excellence. It also teaches children the Pan-African influence in shaping Hip Hop.

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions is a biography of STEM Entrepreneur named Lonnie Johnson. The book details his humble beginnings as an entrepreneur who prototyped and piloted his ideas from childhood to adulthood. One of his most successful inventions was the Super Soaker. The book depicts the failures, rejections, risks, and successes of the entrepreneurial journey. For parents interested in exposing their children entrepreneurship, this book shows a real-life exemplar who persevered to accomplish his entrepreneurial dream.