The Book of Mistakes book cover
Pre K - 3
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The Book of Mistakes

By Corinna Luyken

Illustrator: Corinna Luyken

Zoom meets Beautiful Oops! in this memorable picture book debut about the creative process, and the way in which “mistakes” can blossom into inspiration

One eye was bigger than the other.  That was a mistake.
The weird  frog-cat-cow thing? It made an excellent bush.
And the inky smudges… they look as if they were always meant to be leaves floating gently across the sky.

As one artist incorporates accidental splotches, spots, and misshapen things into her art, she transforms her piece in quirky and unexpected ways, taking readers on a journey through her process. Told in minimal, playful text, this story shows readers that even the biggest “mistakes” can be the source of the brightest ideas—and that, at the end of the day, we are all works in progress, too.

Fans of Peter Reynolds’s Ish and Patrick McDonnell’s A Perfectly Messed-Up Story will love the funny, poignant, completely unique storytelling of The Book of Mistakes. And, like Oh, The Places You’ll Go!, it makes the perfect graduation gift, encouraging readers to have a positive outlook as they learn to face life’s obstacles.

Educator Resources

  • SEL #ClassroomBookaDay Educator Guide

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State Awards

Recommended reading lists from your state's teacher or librarian associations!
  • Alabama
    • Camellia Children's Choice Book Award, 2017-2018
  • Georgia
    • Georgia Children's Picture Book Award, 2019-2020
  • Wyoming
    • Buckaroo Book Award, 2018-2019
  • New Mexico
    • Coyote Book Award, 2018-2019
  • Wisconsin
    • Picture This!, 2018
  • Vermont
    • Red Clover Book Award, 2018-2019
  • Tennessee
    • Volunteer State Book Award, 2019-2020
  • Washington
    • Washington State Book Awards, 2018
  • Texas
    • Great Texas Mosquito List, 2019-2020
  • Minnesota
    • Comstock Read Aloud Book Award, 2019
  • More Awards
    • PNBA Book Awards, 2018

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