Abstract
Making mistakes and receiving feedback are crucial elements of learning. Reading picturebooks with young children can help shape their perceptions of mistakes and model adaptive responses they can emulate, both in the short term and for years to come. This content analysis identified and analyzed the story characteristics of 25 recently published and widely available picturebooks with mistake-related narratives. Findings include frequencies and descriptions of characters, plot, setting, and a host of other story attributes. Overall, messaging in these books was optimistic–emphasizing responsibility, growth, and acceptance–and making mistakes ultimately led to positive outcomes. Such stories are promising resources for the development of growth mindsets in young children. Teachers and caregivers can use these picturebooks to help children develop positive perceptions of mistakes and learn healthy ways to navigate them in their day-to-day lives.
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Appendix A: List of book publication details and a brief synopsis of the story
Appendix A: List of book publication details and a brief synopsis of the story
Book | Story synopsis | |
|---|---|---|
1 | AnneliesDraws, G. (2021). It’s OK to Make Mistakes. Wide Eyed Editions. | Little Brown Bear tries new things and keeps going even as he makes mistakes. He learns that mistakes are not something to be ashamed of. |
2 | Becker, S., & Kaban, E. (2018). Even Superheroes Make Mistakes. Union Square Kids. | Rather than blaming others and giving up, superheroes take responsibility for their mistakes, apologize, and work to find solutions. Even as superheroes, they don’t aim for perfection. |
3 | Cook, J. (2015). But It’s Not My Fault! Boys Town Press. | Noodle finally stops making excuses for his mistakes. He learns the importance of accepting responsibility. |
4 | Davis-Pyles, B., & Hillgrove, J. (2021). CliFF the Failed Troll. Little Bigfoot. | Cliff learns that there is nothing wrong with being different. Rather than changing himself to fit others’ expectations, he finds a new tribe that accepts him for who he is. |
5 | Ede, L., & Greening, R. (2018). Mermaid Mia and the Royal Visit. Make Believe Ideas. | Mermaid Mia writes the front-page news for her school paper. When she runs out of news to report, she makes up a fake story but it isn’t long before she admits her mistake. |
6 | Feldman, T. C. (2019). The Beauty of Mistakes: A Tangled Story. Lerner Publications. | Rapunzel keeps making mistakes as a princess. She finds unique resolutions and learns to keep persevering. |
7 | Gilbody, N. (2019). Atch...oops! Blue Falcon Publishing. | A trainee Dream Weaver breaks his wand, which causes everyone to have weird dreams. In a surprising twist, this mistake causes everyone to wake up with a new zest for life. |
8 | Hobai, I. (2020). A Whale of a Mistake. Page Street Kids. | A fantastical story about a mistake as big as a whale that carries a girl out to sea. Her mistake doesn’t seem so big when she realizes that there is a whole universe of mistakes out there. |
9 | Kang, A., & Weyant, C. (2018). Eraser. Two Lions. | Eraser is seen by most as just someone who cleans up after their mess but chaos ensues after Eraser leaves. Eraser returns having gained everyone’s respect and appreciation. Authors are prior Geisel Award and ALSC Notable Children’s Book winners. |
10 | Luyken, C. (2017). The Book of Mistakes. Dial Books. | A unique story about the creative process, an artist keeps making one mistake after another. Rather than starting over from scratch, the artist incorporates their mistakes into their art. Winner of 2018 ILA Children’s Book Award and named a 2018 ALSC Notable Children’s Book. |
11 | MacLean, C. K., & Decker, C. (2005). Everybody Makes Mistakes. Dutton Juvenile. | While playing, Jack paints his little sister’s face with permanent marker on their uncle’s wedding day. Instead of taking responsibility, Jack keeps reminding his mother that others make mistakes as well. |
12 | McDonnell, P. (2014). A Perfectly Messed-Up Story. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. | Louie’s story keeps getting messed up and he is upset. In the end, Louie learns that everything is fine despite all the imperfections. Winner of 2015 ILA Children’s Choice Award. |
13 | Miles, B., & Mack, S. (2016). Stickley Makes a Mistake! American Psychological Association. | Stickley didn’t like that he kept making mistakes so he stopped trying. Then his grandfather shows him that mistakes are essential to learning. |
14 | Mulcahy, W., & McKee, D. (2016). Zach Makes Mistakes. Free Spirit Publishing. | Zach makes mistakes while on a class field trip to a museum. His teacher shows him three simple steps to approaching mistakes: (1) Detect (2) Correct (3) Reflect. |
15 | Offill, J., & Carpenter, N. (2011). 11 Experiments That Failed. Schwartz & Wade. | Using experiments, this funny story shows how mistakes are inevitable. |
16 | Parr, T. (2014). It’s Okay to Make Mistakes. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. | This story is a reminder that it is okay to make mistakes–everyone does! |
17 | Pett, M., & Rubinstein, G. (2011). The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes. Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. | Beatrice is known as “The Girl Who Never Makes Mistakes” until the day she makes one. To her surprise, it is just what she needed. |
18 | Pray, F. (2022). Perfectly Imperfect Mira. Little, Brown and Company. | Mira wants to be so perfect at everything that it keeps her from even making an attempt. One day, she decides to try and learns to find the beauty in her imperfections. |
19 | Reynolds, P. H. (2004). Ish. Candlewick. | Ramon learns that art does not need to be a literal representation of anything. |
20 | Saltzberg, B. (2010). Beautiful Oops! Workman Publishing Company. | An interactive story that teaches an important life lesson–it is okay to make mistakes! |
21 | Shannon, D. (2002). David Gets in Trouble. Blue Sky Press. | David keeps claiming that his mistakes are not his fault until he stops making excuses. Author is a prior Caldecott Honor awardee. |
22 | Spires, A. (2014). The Most Magnificent Thing. Kids Can Press. | A girl keeps failing and almost gives up until her dog convinces her to take a walk. Named a 2015 ALSC Notable Children’s Book. |
23 | Swerts, A., & Lindenhuizen, V. E. (2020). Oops, I Dropped the Lemon Tart. Clavis Publishing. | While baking, Lucy learns that something beautiful can come from a mistake. |
24 | Timmers, L. (2011). Oops! Clavis Publishing. | Piggy must make sure to avoid major mishaps while sledding downhill to meet his parents. |
25 | Treleaven, L., & Frost, M. (2018). The Snowflake Mistake. Maverick Arts. | Princess Ellie must find a new way to make snowflakes after the snowflake machine breaks down. |
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Donaldson, M., Benmoussa, S. & Hwang, M. Oopses on the Page: A Content Analysis of Children’s Picturebooks Featuring Mistakes. Early Childhood Educ J (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01546-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-023-01546-z