Each week we assemble a collection – a bouquet, if you will – of books you can read for yourself, or use to build into a display in your library. As always, the books we link to have info from Amazon.com. If you click a link and then buy anything at all from Amazon, we get a small percent of their profits from your sale. Thanks!! We really appreciate the assistance!
We work with a lot of wonderful educators and something that many school library people tell us is they hope to help their students learn that failure is a necessary part of learning! It’s not the end of the world, just encouragement to keep trying. So here are some books for all ages about how failure can be OK!
It’s Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr
“Todd Parr’s bestselling books have reminded kids to embrace differences, to be thankful, to love one another, and to be themselves. It’s Okay to Make Mistakes embraces life’s happy accidents, the mistakes and mess-ups that can lead to self discovery. Todd Parr brings a timely theme to life with his signature bold, kid-friendly illustrations and a passion for making readers feel good about themselves, encouraging them to try new things, experiment, and dare to explore new paths.
From coloring outside the lines and creating a unique piece of art to forgetting an umbrella but making a new friend, each page offers a kid-friendly take on the importance of taking chances, trying new things, and embracing life, mistakes and all.”
Lulu’s Party by Kit Chase
“The weather is stormy and Lulu is disappointed that she can’t play outside, so she makes a special Rainy Day Treat and plans the perfect party for her friends Oliver and Charlie. But when it’s time to taste the creamy hot chocolate, they quickly realize something went very wrong. Lulu is devastated that her party is ruined, but with some quick-thinking, Charlie and Oliver figure out a delicious solution to save the day!”
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made by Stephen Pastis
“He may be clueless, but the comically self-confident Timmy Failure is CEO of the best detective agency in town, perhaps even the nation.”
Fast Talk on a Slow Track by Rita Williams-Garcia
“Denzel Watson is a fast talker with a system, and it’s made him valedictorian. But when he goes to a summer program at Princeton, he takes a fall. How can he tell his proud family that he won’t be able to cut it in the Ivy League? Instead, he spends the rest of the summer selling candy, up against “Top Man” Mello, a drop-out with a police record. For the first time, Denzel is forced to take a hard look at himself — and how much further he could fall.”
Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning by Leslie Odom Jr.
“Leslie Odom Jr., burst on the scene in 2015, originating the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical phenomenon Hamilton. Since then, he has performed for sold-out audiences, sung for the Obamas at the White House, and won a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. But before he landed the role of a lifetime in one of the biggest musicals of all time, Odom put in years of hard work as a singer and an actor. With personal stories from his life, Odom asks the questions that will help you unlock your true potential and achieve your goals even when they seem impossible. What work did you put in today that will help you improve tomorrow? How do you surround yourself with people who will care about your dreams as much as you do? How do you know when to play it safe and when to risk it all for something bigger and better?
These stories will inspire you, motivate you, and empower you for the greatness that lies ahead, whether you’re graduating from college, starting a new job, or just looking to live each day to the fullest.”
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big by Scott Adams
“Scott Adams has likely failed at more things than anyone you’ve ever met or anyone you’ve even heard of. So how did he go from hapless office worker and serial failure to the creator of Dilbert, one of the world’s most famous syndicated comic strips, in just a few years? In How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big, Adams shares the game plan he’s followed since he was a teen: invite failure in, embrace it, then pick its pocket.”