The best children’s picture books that teach how perspective is everything

Carli Valentine Author Of The Fun Thieves
By Carli Valentine

Who am I?

I've always believed in the power behind positive thinking, but it’s easy to get caught up in feelings of worry or disappointment. I picked this topic because I feel that perspective is the tool that can help us change a negative attitude into a positive one. We don’t always have control of various things happening in the world around us. However, we do have the power to try to change our perspective and look at things in a more positive way. I believe this skill is essential to find gratitude and happiness in life, and I love how each of these books approach the topic of the importance of perspective in different ways.

I wrote...

The Fun Thieves

By Carli Valentine,

Book cover of The Fun Thieves

What is my book about?

Disappointment looms when fun activities keep getting canceled due to the fun thievery by different elements in nature. But are these thieves really all bad? 

Children will learn to keep positive attitudes when dealing with frustrating situations and change their perspectives to help them look on the bright side. Relatable situations will help to teach kids to try to find the good in something that seems to be all bad.

The books I picked & why

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Perspective Detective

By Cazzy Zahursky,

Book cover of Perspective Detective

Why this book?

Perspective Detectives is such a unique and enjoyable read! The author brilliantly explains how everyone’s perspectives can be different and uses optical illusions to inspire her readers to dive deeper when analyzing situations. Her message to readers is that things are not always what they originally seem to be. I love the creativity and unique style of the illustrations and think the optical illusions bring a wonderful element of fun to the book!!

Perspective Detective

By Cazzy Zahursky,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Perspective Detective as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Perspective Detective is an interactive, rhyming mystery story. The Perspective Detective's mission is to help children better understand one another and their different points of view. Help him and the cubs solve his latest mystery of the lost Teddy in this entertaining, optical illusion filled, puzzle packed story. Young readers will explore themes like empathy, open mindedness, problem solving, and communicating better with one another.

Perfect for fans of: Dr. Seuss Julia Donaldson P.D. EastmanGreat for parents who are looking to: Promote a growth mindset and problem-solving Cultivate communication skills Help children deal with difficult emotions and feelings Prepare children…

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A Stone Sat Still

By Brendan Wenzel (illustrator),

Book cover of A Stone Sat Still

Why this book?

I absolutely adore this book by Brendan Wenzel. It’s all about a stone and how various animals see it and describe it in completely different ways. It contains a powerful message about how we all have different perspectives. Many different factors play into our perspectives such as life experiences, our upbringing, our personality, and our attitude. It was a wonderful conversation starter with my children so we could talk about how we can change our attitudes and shape our perspectives to achieve a more happy life. 

A Stone Sat Still

By Brendan Wenzel (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Stone Sat Still as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The brilliant follow-up to the Caldecott Honor-winning and New York Times bestselling picture book They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel!

A Stone Sat Still tells the story of a seemingly ordinary rock-but to the animals that use it, it is a resting place, a kitchen, a safe haven...even an entire world.

This is a gorgeous exploration of perspective, perception, and the passage of time, with an underlying environmental message that is timely and poignant.

* Filled with stunning illustrations in cut paper, pencil, collage, and paint
* Soothing rhythms invite reading aloud and bedtime snuggles
* Introduces concepts…

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Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll

By Mr. Jay, Erin Wozniak (illustrator),

Book cover of Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll

Why this book?

I love reading Ricky, the Rock That Couldn’t Roll to my kids. It’s a book that I don’t mind reading over and over again. It’s written in verse and I absolutely adore the cute illustrations. This story is about a rock that really wants to roll, but has a flat side so he doesn’t think he ever will. His friends work very hard to help him and are able to bring a new perspective on how to solve the problem. Finally, with the help of his friends and their new ideas, Ricky is able to roll. I love the fact that Ricky’s friends bring a whole new perspective to help solve his problem and work together to help him to fulfill his dream. 

Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll

By Mr. Jay, Erin Wozniak (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ricky, the Rock That Couldn't Roll as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

These rocks can really roll! Well, most of them, anyway...

Get ready to meet a new rock group! From zippy, little pebbles to big strong boulders, the rocks get together to play and roll around their favorite hill, only to find that one of their friends, Ricky, can't roll with them. Unlike all of the others, who are all round, Ricky can't roll because he's flat on one side.

Except for poor Ricky, who quietly sat.
You see, Rick couldn't roll, because one side was flat.

His friends didn't get it,
"Come Roll!" they would chant.
So Ricky tried, but…

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Search for Silver Linings

By Etaine Raphael,

Book cover of Search for Silver Linings

Why this book?

I love this book. It is so hard to see the good in situations and so important to find the “silver linings.” I relate to the message in this book because I am a mother to a child that has had many medical hurdles to get through. My son has had 2 heart surgeries, but yet he is still positive, brave, and strong. Sometimes it is the silver linings that help us see what we truly have. Finding the silver linings in difficult experiences was vital to allow us to continue to push us forward with a positive attitude. This book truly showcases that! Love the unique illustration style of the book and that it is written in verse!

Search for Silver Linings

By Etaine Raphael,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Search for Silver Linings as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Suddenly, Chloe had an idea:
“I think we should turn this all into a game—
And then we will never see bad days the same!
Let’s find all the good that came out of today—
I’m sure we will see it in such a new way!”

The Rhyme-Time Twins, Chloe and Zoey, are having a tough day at school – absolutely nothing is going well! Can learning about silver linings help turn this awful day around, or will it just continue to get worse and worse?
Join Chloe and Zoey on their next adventure as they process a whole range…

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Benny the Brave in The First Day Jitters

By Julie Anne Penn, Darren Penn, Sergio De Giorgi (illustrator)

Book cover of Benny the Brave in The First Day Jitters

Why this book?

In this book, a little girl named Sarah is worried about starting her first day at school. She can’t help but imagine all the terrible things that could happen. Her friend named Benny helps her to change her perspective by showing her all the things that could go right instead of wrong. I really enjoy this book because it’s so easy to let our minds wander to the negative possibilities. I like how this book reminds us to see the good that can happen in situations and also encourages us to find good positive friends like Benny that will help give us a boost when needed! 

Benny the Brave in The First Day Jitters

By Julie Anne Penn, Darren Penn, Sergio De Giorgi (illustrator)

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Benny the Brave in The First Day Jitters as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

**From the best-selling Team Supercrew Series**
**First Place Winner - Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 2022 - New Author Fiction**

First day? New School? New experience? Feeling scared? Benny the Brave is here to help!

Meet Sarah. She’s about to start a new school that’s on a distant planet. She doesn’t have any friends yet. Her teacher may or may not be a swamp creature. And worse, lunch looks like it’s wriggling, slimy and alive! But just before the school bus arrives, Team Supercrew’s Benny the Brave comes to the rescue! Team Supercrew’s Benny the Brave reminds kids that they have…

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And, 3 books we think you will enjoy!

We think you will like Alice Eloise's Silver Linings, Redirect, and Why the World Doesn't Seem to Make Sense if you like this list.

Book cover of Alice Eloise's Silver Linings: The Story of a Silly Service Dog Book cover of Redirect: Changing the Stories We Live by Book cover of Why the World Doesn't Seem to Make Sense: An Inquiry Into Science, Philosophy and Perception