If you’re looking for picture tutor textbooks to use in the classroom with students, here’s a list of wonderful options for teaching and modeling context and inference clues.
but first, what is an inference?
You are reading: Books to teach inferences
inference is when you use your prior knowledge and clues from the text and illustrations to make an assumption or conclusion that is not explicitly stated in the text.
Children can make inferences about vocabulary words using the context of the sentence, also called context clues.
Children can also make inferences about the character’s motivations or feelings.
Even a prediction is a type of inference because you are using the clues the author gives you to decide what might happen next.
Also, a quick grammar note: the correct -ing ending (present participle or gerund) of inference is to infer, not infer.
Use these picture books in your reading and writing class to model making inferences and deductive reasoning, and then to practice inferring.
note: infer is the correct gerund for infer. infer is not a word.
printable list
mentor texts for inference
Birrarung Wilam: A Story from Aboriginal Australia by Aunty Joy Murphy and Andrew Kelly, illustrated by Lisa KennedyUse this story to discuss learning a new language, geography, context clue, language, inference, and culture! The story is written in both English and the Woiwurrung language, which children won’t immediately understand without support. You’ll read about the beautiful Yarra River and the plants and wildlife that live near it. Luminous, lush illustrations and enticing text celebrate aboriginal culture and nature. “As ngua rises, Bunjil soars over mountain ash, flying higher and higher as the wind warms. Below, Birrarung begins its long winding path down to palem warreen.”
Small in the City by Sydney SmithWith a strong sense of place, see a big city from a child’s point of view, a city that can be both scary and wonderful. The child shares tips about the city places but who is he talking to? It’s not us… Can you make an inference who or what it is? Evocative, emotional visuals with dark, black lines will make you feel so connected to this child — especially at the end.
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Dirt + Water = MUD by Katherine HanniganGirl plus best friend dog plus imagination equals a delightful picture book of pretend play fun. What else can you combine to make something new? (How very like an inference.)
The Neighbors by Einat TsarfatiDetailed illustrations of the front doors on a white background give the girl clues to make inferences about what’s happening inside. For example, behind the door surrounded by plants and muddy footprints, the girl imagines it’s the home of an old explorer and his pet tiger.
we found a hat from jon klassentwo turtles. a hat what will they do? klassen shows the friends together, one turtle’s internal struggle wanting to sneak back for the hat and the other friend sharing a dream where they both have hats of their own. Illustrations tell much of this story, so pay close attention to this important exchange. life lesson!
Up on Bob by Mary SullivanThis brilliantly written and illustrated story shows readers exactly why there are pictures in picture books because they narrate so much of the story! Bob can’t take a nap because Someone is watching. And then Someone pounces. Sullivan skillfully writes word for word the second half just like the first half but it means something different in this half.
Professional Crocodile by Giovanna Zoboli & Mariachiara di Giorgio Watch the crocodile wake up in his bed, get smartly dressed, and embark out of the house for his job. Pay attention to the illustrations. Notice the details. Where is he going? The answer is a wonderful surprise!
Tuesday by David Wiesner This is a particularly unusual picture book that is 100% perfect for making inferences. Because on this Tuesday, frogs fly on lily pads.
Inside Outside by Lizi BoydIf you’ve never read a wordless picture book, you must read this one with its detailed illustrations on kraft paper and revealing die-cuts sharing glimpses of . . . well, that’s for you to infer.
They All Saw a Cat by Brendan WenzelUse this beautiful book to talk about perspective. The cat walks through the world and is seen by different creatures, each who sees the cat differently depending on their background knowledge. Discuss how the different animals make inferences based on who they are and their own background knowledge.
elephant in the dark based on a poem by rumi, told by mina javaherbin, illustrated by eugene yelchin remember this famous story about perspective and truth? in This beautiful image adaptation of the book, a merchant arrives with a mysterious beast that he lays in a barn. the villagers are eager to find out what it is, so they each creep into the dark barn and feel a part of the beast. one thinks it’s a snake, another thinks it’s a fan, another thinks it’s a tree trunk, and so on. why do they make the deductions they do?
Pigeon P.I. by Meg McLarenA little canary asks Pigeon P.I. (private investigator) to help her find her missing friends but then the canary goes missing, too. It’s up to Pigeon to solve the missing bird mystery. The author writes in the style of the old detective shows- punchy and short. The illustrator captures the details, giving kids clues and details to look at as they follow along. Added to: The Best Mystery Picture Books for Kids
Where Is Bear Going? by Mark Janssen, illustrated by Suzanne DiederenBear gives readers clues to a special animal he’s going to visit… See if you can use the clues to infer just who he’s visiting! As he walks in the forest, he’s joined by other animal friends. “We are going to see a teensy-weensy mouth!” All the clues come together at the end — will you be able to guess?
du iz tak? by carson ellis look at this growing plant and the insects that live around it. These critters speak a made-up language. Use the illustrations to make inferences about what they are saying.
See Also: The Best Meditation Books of 2022—And How to Use Them
Quest by Aaron BeckerQuest is an enchanting and imaginative picture book written only in pictures that will transport you to a magical world. My kids and I poured over every beautiful detail in the pictures and so will you. You’ll follow a boy and girl with a purple (magical) bird on their quest to save the king and his kingdom.
A Hungry Lion or Dwindling Assortment of Animals by Lucy Ruth CumminsThis picture book tricked me — and it will trick your kids too. First, we meet a hungry lion and an assortment of animals, who all begin to disappear one by one. Can you predict what is happening?
I Spy in the Sky by Edward GibbsPeek at the brightly colored eye area of a bird. It’s purple, has small wings, and likes to drink nectar. What is it? It’s a hummingbird! From hummingbirds to pelicans, see if you can use the clues to figure out each of these gorgeous birds.
Edwin Speaks Up by April Stevens and Sophie BlackallMy kids think this picture book is absolutely hilarious! Edwin, even though he’s a baby, is one smart kid who talks a lot. The problem is his family doesn’t understand what he’s saying. We can understand (make inferences) Edwin though, even when he says, “Fringle dee ROOFY plowck.”
The Almost Fearless Hamilton SquidLegger by Timothy Basil EringUse this mentor text picture book to practice inference with made-up words. Hamilton Squidlegger is fearless in all things except bedtime. It will take some bravery and new monster friends and soon Hamilton will become totally fearless. Teachers, have your kids try to define the imaginary words using the context clues.
meow by victoria yingthis little kitty just wants someone to play with him. he offers a ball of yarn and asks, “meow?” You’ll enjoy using many different voice inflections for meows throughout this sweet story as your students consider what each meow means.
Duck by Meg McKinlay, illustrated by Nathaniel EckstromSo funny! All the animals misunderstand duck’s command to “duck” and get madder and madder at him. But readers are in on the secret — something is coming. Finally, Duck decides to say something different to make the animals understand. He says, “run” instead of “duck” — which works. This book reminds me of Rhyming Dust Bunnies, one of my all-time favorite picture books.
Inside Outside by Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias AreguiUse this to teach perspective, inference, and prediction. Gorgeous, oversized illustrations with no text are meant to show readers the inside and outside of something — things like inside an anthill (ants) and outside the anthill (anteater waiting.) Inside an apple is a worm on one page. The next page is a bigger perspective showing a lady about to take a bite out of the apple. Some of the illustrations aren’t perfectly clear so this book begs thoughtful inference and discussion. It’s quite profound, reminding me a bit of David Wiesner’s wordless books.
bonus: chapter book inference
See You in the Cosmos by Jack ChengLuminous and heartfelt, 11-year-old Alex Petroski’s dream is to launch a rocket into space with his iPod of recordings about life on earth. The story is a transcription of what he records on the iPod — his solo journey to the rocket convention, the interesting people he befriends on the way and there, his trip Las Vegas to find information about his deceased father, and his unique, innocent perspective that tries to make sense of the world. You’ll make a lot of inferences about Alex’s life that Alex doesn’t notice. For example, he thinks his mom is “cool” but cooks for her, takes care of her, and describes her as totally uninterested in his life.
The Brave by James BirdWhen Collin, a boy who counts every letter spoken to him and says the number out loud, gets kicked out of yet another school, his neglectful father sends Collin to live with his mom. Collin has never met his mother but he’s curious to meet her and live on the Ojibwe reservation. Living with her is a totally different experience than his previous home — because with his mother, he’s welcomed and not judged. He befriends the neighbor girl who teaches Collin how to be brave. Which he needs. And so does she because she’s going to be a butterfly soon…
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tutorial texts to teach the sequence
mentor text to teach description