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Ioana Hobai
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A Whale of a Mistake Hardcover – Picture Book, March 17, 2020

by Ioana Hobai (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 53 ratings
Editors' pick Best Books Ages 3-5
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When you make a mistake―a big mistake, a HUGE mistake―it can weigh you down or even swallow you whole! As one kid finds herself swept away by her whale of a mistake, she takes readers along on a journey of emotions. When the girl pauses to stare at the night sky, she realizes something important: there are as many mistakes in the world as stars in the sky, and maybe she can handle it after all. As the seemingly huge whale begins to shrink, the girl embraces her mistake and finds her way back to solid ground.

Through clever wordplay and atmospheric art, this fantastical story shows that with a little time, perspective, and reflection, you can learn and move on from mistakes, no matter the size.

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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    4 - 8 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool and up
  5. Dimensions
    10.79 x 0.49 x 9.82 inches
  6. Publisher
    Page Street Kids
  7. Publication date
    March 17, 2020
  8. ISBN-10
    1624149278
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1624149276
  10. See all details
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The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes: A Growth Mindset Book for Kids to Promote Self Esteem
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ioana Hobai worked as an architect before she decided to return to her love of art and pursue children's book illustration. She made her debut as an illustrator with Before You Sleep by Annie Cronin Romano (Fall 2018) and her author-illustrator debut with Lena’s Slippers (Spring 2019), both with Page Street Kids. She grew up in Romania, and now resides in Massachusetts.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Page Street Kids; Illustrated edition (March 17, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1624149278
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1624149276
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 8 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.07 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.79 x 0.49 x 9.82 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 53 ratings

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Ioana Hobai

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
53 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Belinda Grimbeek
5.0 out of 5 stars Mistakes don't have to define you
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
What a beautiful book tackling one of life's most common, and difficult issues - getting over making a mistake. The analogy of how a mistake grows into an overwhelming whale truly pins down the feeling we all have when the dread of a mistake sets in. I love how this book takes the reader through self-processing back to a healthy place of moving on...loved it! Even had my 13 year old read it when she made a mistake and she chuckled that I made her read it, she tends to get very negative about herself when she makes a mistake, but she smiled as she related to the character and the big mistake - she got it, I get it, we all get it - your child will get it too... it's the kind of book to read every so often just to remind your child that we all make mistakes...the images convey the emotion so beautifully throughout the book. Just lovely!
3 people found this helpful
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Rachel Mas
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022
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This is a fantastic book!
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Cor
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book.
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2022
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Breathtaking.
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SC
5.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous book with stunning art
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2021
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A lovely, quiet book with beautiful illustrations. One to re-read over and over.
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Kay
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Message & Illustrations!
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
I love this book--it's a great message (we can recover from mistakes--they're not the end of the world). and I also love the illustrations. Belongs in every library!
One person found this helpful
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Ryan C T
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful picture book
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2021
Verified Purchase
Simple, disarmingly charming and sweet. A nice story accompanied by beautiful drawings, for children who get easily overwhelmed by worries and perfectionism.
One person found this helpful
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McM
5.0 out of 5 stars A book that encourages reflection, acceptance (of our mistakes and ourselves), and letting go.
Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2020
Leaving "the mistake" undefined and utilizing the second person point of view, the story immediately draws the reader into the story and allows them to identify with the child and view their own mistakes through the child's eyes. The more you worry about your mistake, the bigger it grows. Until it is as enormous as a whale and "swallows you whole."
Launched on a physical journey, through choppy seas, and an emotional journey of acceptance and courage, the child gradually begins to accept the mistake and the fear it caused. Calming, the child discovers a tranquil night sky of perfect stars. But looking closer, the child notices that in fact "there's a whole universe of mistakes."
The ultimate resolution is tender and heart-lifting. Ioana's ink, watercolor, and acrylic illustrations beautifully mirror the child's mood. The initial dark blues and purples slowly transition into pink and soft blue hues. Overall, it's a great book for anyone who's ever made a mistake, whether a minnow or a whale of one.
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Mo
2.0 out of 5 stars 6 yo wasn’t feeling it
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2021
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We bought like 5 books about making mistakes for our 6 year old and he liked a few of them. This one couldn’t keep his interest for even a few pages. And this boy loooves to read. If you want to teach your kid about making mistakes, may want to go for something more literal. Pretty illustrations though!
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