Wonder-Full Education: The Centrality of Wonder in Teaching

In this review of Wonder-Full Education: The Centrality of Wonder in Teaching and Learning, the bottom line is straightforward: this book is for educators, curriculum designers and school leaders seeking a clear, research-informed argument for bringing back curiosity and awe into everyday lessons. Written by Kieran Egan, Annabella Cant and Gillian Judson, the book lays out why wonder matters and offers concrete classroom approaches, making it the best single-volume guide for practitioners who want to make curriculum content feel alive. The tone is rigorous rather than sentimental, so readers get practical guidance grounded in experience and research.

Key Features

• Clear argument for wonder: The authors present a coherent, research-informed case that treating wonder as central improves engagement and depth of learning.
• Practical classroom strategies: Multiple suggestions show how teachers can routinely evoke wonder in daily lessons across subjects.
• Audience-focused writing: The book addresses both adults working on curriculum and teachers in classrooms, making its advice adaptable to different roles.
• Evidence-based approach: Arguments are supported by research and precisely described experience rather than vague exhortation.
• Curriculum-wide relevance: The material applies across the curriculum, not limited to a single subject or age group.

Who It's For

This book is best for classroom teachers, teacher educators and curriculum makers who want practical, research-grounded ideas to revive curiosity and engagement in schools. It will be especially useful for those looking to redesign lessons so that core content is presented in ways that provoke wonder rather than rote recall.

Readers who expect a how-to manual with scripted lesson plans or subject-specific worksheets may find the book less immediately plug-and-play; it is stronger as a conceptual and practical framework than as a workbook of ready-to-teach activities.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong, research-based rationale that makes a convincing case for the centrality of wonder in education.
• Practical suggestions that teachers can adapt to everyday classroom practice across subjects.
• Clear, non-ornamental prose that focuses on evidence and precise experience rather than flowery language.

Cons

• Not a step-by-step lesson collection, so teachers seeking immediate scripts may need to adapt ideas before use.

Specifications

Title	Wonder-Full Education: The Centrality of Wonder in Teaching and Learning
Authors	Kieran Egan, Annabella Cant, Gillian Judson
Focus	The roles and revival of wonder in education and curriculum
Approach	Research-backed argument and described classroom experience
Intended audience	Teachers, curriculum makers, teacher educators
Use case	Reviving engagement and curiosity across the curriculum

Our Verdict

Wonder-Full Education is a valuable, evidence-grounded resource for educators who want to make curriculum content more engaging and meaningful. It pairs convincing argument with adaptable classroom suggestions, making it good value for anyone committed to restoring curiosity and depth to everyday teaching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for early childhood classrooms?
The book addresses wonder across the curriculum and can be adapted for younger learners, though it focuses on conceptual guidance rather than age-specific scripts.

Does it include lesson plans?
It offers multiple practical suggestions and examples drawn from practice, but it is not a collection of ready-made lesson plans; teachers will need to adapt ideas.

Who wrote the book and why does that matter?
Authored by Kieran Egan, Annabella Cant and Gillian Judson, the book combines theoretical and experiential perspectives, which strengthens its balance of research and classroom applicability.