The Critical Thinking Co

Critical Thinking Co.

Recommended Ages

K–12th grades

The Critical Thinking Co. is a publisher specializing in workbooks and software that build logic, problem-solving, and higher-order thinking skills from preschool through high school. Their materials cover topics ranging from visual puzzles and math reasoning to language arts, often with activities that go beyond standard multiple-choice questions. Founded by an educator committed to teaching kids how to think, not what to think, the company has won numerous awards in the homeschool and education space. Parents like that many books are non-consumable or lightly consumable, making them reusable across siblings, and that pages feel like brain teasers rather than drills. These resources are ideal as supplements for curious learners or as core material in logic-heavy courses. Some books can feel challenging or puzzle-like for kids who prefer straightforward tasks, so placement matters. To maximize value, start a bit below your child’s level to build confidence, then gradually move up in difficulty.

Ideal for print-loving learners who enjoy puzzles, logic problems, and explicit practice, and for parents who want a secular, mastery-focused supplement or spine that doesn’t require a lot of prep or technology.

Pros

Secular families often rave about the rigorous logic puzzles, strong reading and math reasoning practice, and “screen-light” workbook format that makes The Critical Thinking Co. a top pick for families wanting open-and-go academics without an online platform. 

Cons

Some kids find the pages dense or “test-preppy,” the black‑and‑white layout uninspiring, and the heavy emphasis on written responses tough for reluctant writers or neurodivergent learners who need more varied formats. 

Critical Thinking Co. materials are commonly allowed purchases under general curriculum or “enrichment” categories for ESA and charter funding when ordered through approved vendors, but policies vary by state and school. Families should confirm with their program before purchasing.

A full year bundle typically costs between $275-$320 and individual units range from $14-30

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Critical Thinking Co.
$320.00 USD

Skills

What kids will learn
View all collections
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Math
Math
ELA
ELA

Critical Thinking Co. Mission

The Critical Thinking Co.’s mission is to develop children’s reasoning and problem-solving skills while they learn core academics, so they grow into independent thinkers rather than rote memorizers. Their books and software are built to weave logic, analysis, and creativity into reading, math, science, and social studies, helping kids learn how to think, not just what to think.

Critical Thinking Co. Story

The company began in 1958, when John Baker founded Midwest Publications as a small math and textbook publisher known for challenging logic problems and unusually high editorial standards. As teachers gravitated toward its thinking-rich materials, the catalog expanded beyond math, the company was renamed Critical Thinking Press and Software, and eventually became The Critical Thinking Co. Today, still family-owned and led by John’s son Michael, it publishes hundreds of titles and donates large quantities of materials each year to schools, charities, and kids in need.

About Modular Learning

FAQ: Additional Details about Critical Thinking Co.

A typical session might be a child sprawled on the floor with a colorful workbook, working through visual puzzles, deductive logic grids, or multi-step word problems while chatting excitedly about “figuring it out.” It feels more like solving a puzzle magazine than doing traditional homework, with lots of “aha!” moments and invitations to explain their thinking.

Families pick specific Critical Thinking Co. books (logic, math, language arts, test prep) and weave them into their week as short, focused puzzle sessions. Students solve problems, analogies, and brain teasers directly in the books or on scratch paper, building reasoning skills alongside other curricula. Many homeschoolers treat them as a “logic block” a few times a week rather than a full stand-alone curriculum.

Parents and caregivers often introduce the first few lessons and then shift to a coaching role, asking kids to “talk through” their reasoning and offering hints instead of direct answers. Older students can use many titles independently with periodic check-ins.

Prerequisites depend on the level and subject. Most titles assume students can read directions at or near the target grade level and are comfortable writing short answers or working simple math operations.

Critical Thinking Co. workbooks are explicitly designed to build reasoning and problem‑solving, which can be especially satisfying for gifted, 2e, and logical autistic learners. Some books are text‑heavy, so for dyslexic or ADHD kids it often works best to do problems orally or on a whiteboard with adult support.

These books can work well for 2e kids who enjoy logic puzzles and explicit thinking skills. They’re structured and predictable, which can feel safe for anxious learners, but pages can be long and text‑heavy, so many families do them in short, high‑interest bursts.

Refund policies vary by seller. Many curriculum vendors accept returns of unused physical books within a set time frame but do not refund opened ebooks or downloads. Check the specific retailer or Critical Thinking Co.’s terms before ordering digital products.

It’s not a great fit for families who want project-based or unschooly learning, kids who shut down with workbook-heavy days, or those needing a very hand-holding, scripted teacher guide.

For more visual or narrative options, families often pair or swap with Beast Academy (math), Mind Benders/Building Thinking Skills, or online platforms like Khan Academy and Prodigy.

The company regularly updates popular titles, releases new ebooks, and bundles, and expands digital options so families can print at home or use PDF versions on tablets.

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Meet John

John Baker was the founder of what is now The Critical Thinking Co., starting the business in 1958 under the name Midwest Publications with the goal of creating rigorous, logic-rich math materials for classrooms. Over the decades he guided the company’s evolution into a broader publisher with more than 600 titles across subjects, always keeping the focus on careful instructional design and critical thinking. A fun fact: even as the company grew, Baker’s family kept it independent and mission-driven—his son Michael now leads the business, continuing its tradition of donating materials around the world.