100 books like Abracadabra!

As an artist, Corinna Luyken knows that mistakes happen. But some children crumple their papers and toss them with each perceived error. The Book of Mistakes demonstrates how mistakes are part of learning and growing. The illustrator takes each mistake and incorporates it into an expanding drawing until, voila, there is a magnificent two-page spread. But, she doesn’t stop there. The ending will surprise and delight and leave young children with the confidence to go make their own mistakes.

If you’ve read my book, you know that I’m all about characters navigating their emotions. This picture book focuses on something every kid—and adult—can relate to: you have a magnificent idea, but when you try to make it happen, it comes out all wrong. Despite her frustration turning into anger, this regular girl, with the help of her canine assistant, keeps on trying again and again and again to make her magnificent thing. Readers will hold their breath, wondering what comes next after she exclaims, “I QUIT.” 

My co-parent and I work very hard to instill joy in our child’s self-directed learning, but there are times when he is very hard on himself when he makes mistakes.

We’re not sure where his efforts towards perfectionism are rooted, but this book has opened his mind and heart to accept that an “oops” can indeed be beautiful, and that all wrong answers, or attempts at art that fall short of a vision, are simply opportunities to learn and grow from.

A Whale of a Mistake is written in the second person reaching into the hearts of the listener. With lyrical text and gorgeous, expansive illustrations, the author and illustrator address the feelings that accompany making mistakes and places that experience in a broader context. The aim is to help the reader gain perspective and self-acceptance, that the world isn’t perfect, and neither are you. 

I used to read this book in my class on picture books that I taught for seven years at Emily Carr University of Art & Design and my students always enjoyed it just as much as I have. It always leaves you inspired! This writer & illustrator husband and wife team are incredible and so is this book. The artwork is exquisite and so are the words. Everything is sparse, careful chosen, and yet incredibly rich. A visual narrative of a little bird getting discovered in the truck of a man gets turned into a much more meaningful and universal story with the accompaniment of the poem-like-text. Like the book itself says “The small things are treasures. True treasures.” - And so is this book! 

Sitting on the bookshelf horizontally (swing on top)—I was intrigued the moment I laid eyes on it and it did not disappoint. 

Just about every book I own is structured the same with the spine is always on the side of the book. But this book has the spine on top!  I opened the book and flipped the pages up as Mel falls down the tree. Then, through the clever illustrations and design of the text, I wound up turning the book upside and found myself flipping the pages down to make Mel fly back up the tree.  What sorcery was this?

I’ve seen many illustrators try to have readers turn a book, but I have never had such a smooth and seamless experience!

This love story is hugely successful but on the off chance you haven’t met the Miles family yet, you’re going to want to go get this book now.

This story will hook you hard in the first chapter with the magic of fate and that feeling we’ve all had, when you meet a stranger and you’re insanely attracted to them, and then Kismet offers you time together. I loved how these two are from different worlds and have to maneuver a workplace, power struggle situation.

As an added bonus the hero’s brothers are introduced in book one, and they each get their own book. 

I watch these oil rigs blow up, I bear witness to birds smothered by oil slicks, and I am paralyzed with despair. But Luis Sepulveda finds hope, and he finds it with two animals who, in my back yard, would be natural enemies: a cat and a seagull. He finds, not only hope, but also reasons to break all unwritten rules. Because life is more precious than money, and hope is stronger than despair. I love the animals in this book. I love them with my whole heart. They’re not super smart or super courageous or super anything. They’re two animals, on a porch in a situation that needs to be solved. And if they can do the impossible, then damnit, I can at least try.

Tar Beach is a classic and for good reason! This book addresses heavy subjects like racism and poverty but is threaded through with an overall message of hope and love. The main character flies above her life in 1930s Harlem, soaring over buildings and bridges -- claiming them as her own. The dreamy illustrations and surreal storyline acknowledge the hard realities of life, but leave the reader with a sense of optimism for the future.

This is an oldie, but a goodie. I think this was one of the first books that introduced me into the idea of genetic modification and what might be possible if we could harness DNA from the environment around us. One of the most popular powers to choose in my own book is wings, and when people fill out the questionnaire on my website, that’s what they want. This book brings together the romance of the ability to fly, the love of a found family, and the pace of a thriller with high stakes to lose. One of my favorite books of all time, one I can re-read again and again.