In today's increasingly diverse schools, how can educators level the playing field for students with varied background knowledge before these students begin doing research? How can prior knowledge be awakened to give students a foundation upon which meaningful questions can be constructed? How can students be helped to know the words, terms, and key concepts necessary to experience true inquiry--to question, navigate digital or print materials, sift and sort information, and synthesize what has been learned? One method is to build prior knowledge with a picture book. Introducing and discussing a common text can help elicit students' background knowledge and awaken relevant, deeper questions for research inquiry. The authors discuss how to better scaffold the development of inquiry questions and offer strategies to begin inquiry.