100 books like The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

This book both confirmed and encouraged the best mindset to optimize growth. It’s about learning to create a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset. Studies have shown that it’s a better way to be successful and happy in life.

“Qualities can be nurtured; our potential is unknown, and failure does not define you. Deal with it, learn, and praise the process."

The main keys are that it’s all about learning, learning, learning…no matter what happens to you. “Yet” is a key word, and hard work is required to succeed. Setbacks are opportunities for growth.

I was like Rosie growing up. I loved to build with my brother’s Lincoln Logs, Legos, and blocks. I even tried my hand at building a tree “fort” once, quite unsuccessfully.

But unlike Rosie, I was creating for fun with no one around. Rosie, however, was showing her inventions to her uncle and aunt, and they loved them. She had a great imagination. I loved the book’s illustrations of Rosie’s gizmos and gadgets created out of treasures found in the recycling bins.

Even though her inventions often failed, her great, great aunt would exclaim it was a brilliant first flop…a perfect failure. But Rosie never quit. As a teacher I often select this book for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) read-aloud, since it’s a great example for girls.

What kids don’t like stories about a dragon? I know my students did.

This book is one from a series of dragon books by Steve Herman that has rhyming lines and colorful illustrations that remind me of a comic book. I really like it because of its messages to kids about learning from mistakes. As a teacher, I have seen too many children who want to be perfect. I think stories like this can begin to normalize mistakes so that children will learn to accept them as a natural part of learning.

Diggory Doo the Dragon deals with a lot of mistakes that bring him blame, shame, and tears. He wants to quit but then realizes that such situations later prove to be just chances to do better next time.

The first two words of this book’s title “Everyone Can” got my attention. And as I flipped through the pages, I was really drawn to its brightly painted illustrations that reminded me so much of modern artwork.

This book is by a two-time Caldecott Medalist and was a Junior Library Guild Selection winner. Its theme is very relatable, for I myself endured the same challenges that many face when learning to ride a bike. The story includes training wheels, holding on, letting go, and of course, falling. (However, I sure don’t remember having the benefit of training wheels.)

There are lots of ups and downs in the story with encouraging words that can propel any child through their many attempts. Perhaps you can predict how this story ends.

I recommend this book to my coaching clients and friends and family members because it provides clear, practical, effective advice for getting things done without beating yourself up. Using Fiore’s “Unschedule” is so motivating and positive, you avoid feeling guilt-ridden or otherwise miserable with yourself. My favorite part? Rewarding yourself with guilt-free play.

I love Lynn Lyons’ direct yet playful approach to anxiety, and this book is no exception. Anxiety can be so bossy and messy, it can send messages to some kids that they can’t handle challenges.

That’s what happens to fourteen-year-old Casey, the main character. Casey’s anxiety imposes limitations on her life and makes her world smaller, including her ability to try new things or experience fun and success in school, relationships, and family situations.

Join Casey as she bravely steps into problem-solving mode and learns to tolerate a bit of discomfort when facing anxious moments. Along the way, she builds skills, resilience, and confidence. Ultimately, she expands her world and enjoyment of it. Full of key information, relatable stories, practical applications, and helpful tips—not to mention Lynn’s signature humor—this book is a must for parents or tweens/teens dealing with anxiety.

In my work in the world of mental health and trauma, anxiety is a common complaint. I love the positive (and scientifically accurate) portrayal of the function of anxiety in this whimsically illustrated book. “Sometimes your brain works so hard to protect you, it hits the panic button by mistake.” With this strengths-based framework woven into every page, Hey Awesome teaches kids how to be the boss of their brilliant and brave brains. A must-read for all children, and a lifeline for those who struggle with anxiety. And remember, “anxiety and courage always happen together.”

I love the premise of this heavily illustrated, diary-style chapter book: It not only teaches kids that even monsters can get anxiety—but also that they can do something about it through the author’s method of breathing and mindfulness.

I loved how thorough it was, taking time to really lead kids through the process (what he calls Stop, Take Time To Think) as she considers her fears about giving a speech in school and whether those fears will actually happen—a pretty mature technique that I wish I had known how to tackle when I was growing up! I also loved the sweet relationship she had with her grandma (Bobbe) and how her whole family rallied around her to conquer her anxiety and reframe what it means to be brave. 

I am recommending this book because it encompasses an inspiring theme about what people will do to protect their families. In a world where life itself can seem too hard to bear, Fredrik Backman captures the essence of blurring lines to help the ones we love.

This book made me laugh, cry, and outright drop my jaw on numerous occasions, and I recommend it to anyone who will listen.

I will not mince words: this book is silly. It follows a very simple formula of describing the symptoms of anxiety, general worry, and stress alongside photographs of birds. The funny expressions candidly captured on the bird’s faces somehow seem to always illustrate the specific situations and emotions being described in the text more perfectly than I even could as a professional illustrator. It’s really good fun and would be an especially great resource for a parent/carer/teacher to read along with an anxious child - jumping off and discussing how they relate to what the birds look like they’re feeling as they go.