Growth Mindset Picture Books {Perfectionism and Grit}

We’re starting our school year with some picture book immersion in growth mindset! My sweet, tenderhearted Kindergarten Bookworm is a “mini me” in the area of perfectionism. When he was younger, he refused to color because he didn’t yet have the motor control to stay in the lines. We’ve come a long way, but I know the message of growth mindset will be on repeat throughout both of our lives.

As Molly Bang notes, “when children are taught that we all have malleable intelligence and can ‘grow our brains’ by forming new neural pathways, they become willing to struggle and persist with challenging tasks” (from the afterward of When Sophie Thinks She Can’t, see below). To that end, we are creating posters for each of us: “Mommy Can Do Hard Things” (insert my Bookworms’ names for Mommy) and will track our victories this year!

We also enjoy Laurie Berkner’s “I’m Not Perfect” and we sing Daniel Tiger’s tune often: “It’s okay to make mistakes; try to fix them and learn from them too!”

Back to the books!

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The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken. (preschool & up) So simple that my 3yo Bookworm enjoyed it, but plenty of detail that older kiddos will find it engaging. The book flap calls it “deceptively simple” and that’s the truth! As the story progresses, a “mistake” is made on each illustration that is worked into the picture in a fun, surprising way on the next page. For example, at the start, the first page shows one eye drawn larger than the other; the second page shows funky glasses drawn around those eyes.

After the Fall: How Humpty Got Back Up Again by Dan Santat. (preschool-mid elementary) Humpty Dumpty’s sequel! This got a lot of buzz and for good reason. A brilliant exploration of the anxiety that traps Humpty after his fall, causing isolating fear that prevents him from his favorite activity, birdwatching. The ending is nothing short of transformative. Look for this one!

Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall. (preschool-mid elementary) In this picture book, Jabari decides he wants to make a flying machine. He at first declares that it’ll be easy, but he quickly discovers perseverance is what is needed, along with an open mind for problem solving and some brainstorming with others. Side note, I love the dad’s flawless parenting in this one… the encouragement from the sidelines and pep talk when needed is wonderful! Another side note, I love that Jabari brainstorms four diverse inventors who used their creativity to solve problems–a nice rabbit hole right on page 8. Also, look for Jabari Jumps which is wonderful as well, tackling courage and overcoming fears (and that stellar parenting example as well)!

When Sophie Thinks She Can’t… by Molly Bang. (early-mid elementary) Sophie is feeling defeated and certain she just can’t do math. Her teacher, however, helps her see that when we exercise our brains, they get stronger just like when we exercise our muscles. She learns the Most Important Word… yet. I loved how this book validates the very raw feelings of kids who are frustrated when they aren’t able to do something well, or quickly, or the way that other kids do. This excellent introduction to fixed versus growth mindset gave us vocabulary to use in our home, and it was tangible enough that my 3 year old was able to transfer the concepts home. A more direct approach, but it works well.

Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It by JoAnn Deak. (K-middle school) This is a nonfiction primer on “neurosculpting” and so well done! The anatomy of the brain is introduced in a way that you can adapt to your readers’ levels. From there, the book explores the concept of the brain’s ability to be stretched like elastic bands when you try new things that are hard. “Making mistakes is one of the best ways your brain learns and grows. If you aren’t willing to risk being wrong, you won’t take the chances that s-t-r-e-t-c-h your elastic brain.” The emotions involved in risk taking are described as well, connected to brain anatomy. Common experiences like learning to play soccer and diving into a pool are used.

Argyle Fox by Marie Letourneau . (preschool-early elementary) A cute story about a fox who sets out with various plans in mind for what he’d like to play, only to have each thwarted by the wind. He continues to think of new ideas until he devises a plan to create kites for everyone to enjoy, to his mom’s great encouragement: “Well done, Argyle. You kept thinking until you knew what to do.” This is mostly a fun read aloud that happens to show the power of perseverance.

The Little Butterfly That Could by Ross Burach. (preschool-early elementary) The follow-up to The Very Impatient Caterpillar, our insect friend is now facing a 500 mile migration and thinks HE CAN’T! With a lot of encouragement from a whale and laughs along with his antics, he perseveres!

The Eraserheads by Kate Banks. (K-4) “Hooray for mistakes” and “Hooray for erasers!” Sometimes it’s helpful to come at these issues head on, and sometimes more gently. I feel like this book is both wrapped up in one– an entertaining story that teaches about grit and potential for beauty found in mistakes. (Sadly out of print, but snag a used one for a few dollars, or at your library)

Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg (preschool-early elementary) This “interactive book” (which has movable elements) shows how a perceived “mistake” can be the jumping off point for something wonderful.

The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. (early-mid elementary) Vashti declares that she “just CAN’T draw,” but her teacher encourages her to take the first step and see where it leads. After getting past the first “dot,” Vashti pushes herself to do more and more to grow her skills.

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett. (Preschool-mid elementary) This is less about growth mindset than perfectionism. Predictably, Beatrice has never made a mistake and finds her identity in that, but at the story’s climax she makes a large mistake at her school’s talent show; she then learns that doing things differently can be fun. (This is available through Hoopla if your library offers that service.)

The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires. (Preschool-mid elementary) A little girl sets out to make the most magnificent thing, but after encountering a series of setbacks, she quits out of frustration. After some time, she returns with renewed zeal and accomplishes her goal. The message I’d like my bookworms to learn in a nutshell!

The Gritty Little Lamb by Dan Allbaugh. (Preschool-early elementary) Growth mindset mixed with learning to become a gracious loser, this book focuses on the very typical childhood experience of facing the frustration of losing a game.  A game board is included at the end of the book as well!

We also enjoyed the activities from Teacher by the Beach, including this Growth/Fixed Mindset foldable (inside we wrote what someone might say who was demonstrating each type of mindset):

I’m certain that this post is part one of an ever growing series as we continue to stretch our brains and develop over time. What titles would you add to this list? Connect with me on my Insta account, facebook page, or the comments below.

Titles in this post should be available at your local library, or at the affiliate links provided.