Picture books with characters who show resilience and a growth mindset are such a gift for children. These stories gently remind readers that it’s okay to make mistakes, feel frustrated, and need a second (or third!) try. By watching characters work through challenges, ask for help, and keep going, kids learn that effort matters and growth happens over time even when things feel hard at first.
* The below list contains affiliate links.
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi; illustrated by Lorena Alvarez, 2020
(Ages 4 and up)
This story is perfect for empowering children to take risks, work hard, and embrace mistakes. Rhyming text and colorful illustrations follow a young girl who struggles to learn to ride a bike. Just as she is determined to walk forever, she meets the Magical Yet. Presented as a glowing pink flower-like object, the Magical Yet teaches the girl that with determination, practice, and grit, she can tackle any problem.
The engaging illustrations feature a diverse group of children learning to accomplish a variety of tasks giving this charming book wide appeal.
Fail-A-Bration by Brad Montague, illustrated by Kristi Montague, 2024
(Ages 4 and up)
This joyful reminder that mistakes aren’t something to hide, they are something to learn from is such an important lesson for kids. With playful text and bright illustrations, this reassuring read, helps children see that failure is a normal part of growing and that trying again is always worth celebrating.
After the Fall by Dan Santat, 2017
(Ages 5 and up)
Wow! What an inspirational and beautifully illustrated story. We all know that Humpty Dumpty takes a bit of a tumble in the nursery rhyme, but what you may not know is that once the King’s men finally put him back together, he develops a horrible fear of heights. Sadly, this stops him from pursuing his passion of bird watching. Through stunning illustrations, Santat tells the story of how Humpty Dumpty conquers his fear and learns to soar (literally).
Saturday by Oge Mora, 2019
(Ages 4 and up)
Ava’s mother works hard all week and Saturday is the one day they have to spend together. This Saturday, Ava and her mom are looking forward to their typical weekend routine, but are met with difficulties at every turn. With each mishap, Ava’s mother reassures her that the day will still be special. When Ava’s mother realizes that she has forgotten the tickets to a puppet show, however, she is the one who melts down. Ava in return gathers the strength to cheer her mom up and they return home to have one last adventure of the day.
With stunning artwork and themes of family and resilience, there is so much to love about this phenomenal story!
The Dot by Peter Reynolds, 2003
(Ages 4 and up)
This is one of my all-time favorite children’s books. When a discouraged girl named Vashti believes she cannot draw, her art teacher encourages her to make a simple dot. When the teacher then frames her dot, Vashti is inspired to make more artwork and creates her own gallery full of work. This deceptively simple story inspires readers to believe in themselves and gives them the confidence to make their own mark.
Baker Makers by Kim Smith, 2024
(Ages 4 and up)
Despite having little baking experience, Naveen has watched enough cooking shows to believe he’s destined to be a master chef. When his grand plan to bake the perfect cake in his Creative Cooking Class fails spectacularly, he’s comforted by friends who share their own mistakes and is encouraged to try again. The next day, Naveen slows down, follows the recipe, and when his cake still crumbles, he finds a creative solution that turns failure into something truly special to share with the class.
I Am Courage: A Book of Resilience by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds, 2021
(Ages 4 and up)
I absolutely love how this book shows that true bravery isn’t being the strongest, it is feeling scared and facing our fear anyway. With affirming language and charming illustrations providing relatable everyday examples of courage, this exceptional book shows children that they have what it takes to overcome challenges and persevere through tough times.
Touch the Sky by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, illustrated by Chris Park, 2024
(Ages 4 and up)
It’s difficult to recognize that some things may come easy for some people, but not others. Vern yearns to soar through the air on the swing, but doesn’t know how to pump his legs. When Gretchen takes the time to help him, he gets the extra push he needs to succeed. This is a terrific story in empathy and overcoming challenges.
Raj and The Best Day Ever! by Sebastien Braun, 2019
(Ages 4 and up)
When a little tiger excitedly plans out his day with Dad, nothing goes as planned and he is initially disheartened. His quick-witted father, however, shows him how to seize the moment and find the fun in any situation.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Filled with bright colors, a sweet storyline about family and using one’s imagination, PLUS a clear example of being flexible in the face of hardship, makes this is an excellent choice for sharing one-on-one with a loved one.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires, 2014
(Ages 5 and up)
With the help of her pet dog, a girl embarks on a special mission to create something truly spectacular. After several attempts, however, she grows frustrated by her failures and quits. Taking a break by playing with her dog, however, gives her clarity and inspiration. She perseveres and her hard work pays off when she invents something remarkable. This engaging tale entertains while teaching children to never give up!
Rosie Revere, Engineer, Ada Twist, Scientist, and Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty; illustrated by David Roberts
(Ages 4 and up)
We absolutely adore the books in the Questioneers series and especially love Rosie’s creativity, Ada’s curiosity, and Iggy’s desire to do what he loves. Rhyming text and engaging illustrations featuring diverse characters who demonstrate passion and perseverance make these excellent read aloud choices.
Hocus Pocus Practice Focus: The Making of a Magician by Amy Kimlat; illustrated by Srinidhi Srinivasan, 2022
(Ages 5 and up)
After seeing a magician at her birthday party, Mila can’t wait to perform her own magic. The tricks prove more difficult than she realized, however, and after failing each one, she is ready to give up. Luckily, she has an unexpected meeting with the magician from her party who encourages her to practice and focus on her craft. She spends an entire year working on her magic and with her new-found confidence, Mila is the one performing at her next birthday party!
With uplifting rhymes and colorful illustrations, this cheerful story is an excellent lesson in grit. Readers will also be delighted by the directions for a magic trick they can perform on their own located in the back of the book.
Blizzard by John Rocco, 2014
(Ages 4 and up)
This incredible story inspired by the author’s own experiences, makes for an entertaining winter themed read aloud.
When a blizzard hits a town, a young boy is initially excited by the snow, but starts to worry as the days drag on and his housebound family begins to run out of food. Luckily, he has a survival guide that inspires him to carry out a plan to obtain food for his family and neighbors.
John Rocco’s snowy illustrations are a delight. The days of the week are cleverly hidden within the pictures adding even more charm to this engaging story. John’s own resourcefulness, bravery, and kindness are remarkable. My children and students could not get enough of this standout winter read.
Hurricane by John Rocco, 2021
(Ages 4 and up)
We are huge John Rocco fans and his newest book Hurricane is a real stunner! The story follows a little boy who loves fishing on a dock near his home. When a hurricane ravages the dock and most of his street, he helps his neighbors repair the damage. Upon finding the dock destroyed, the resilient boy works day after day to fix it. Ultimately, the entire community comes together and rebuilds the dock for everyone to enjoy.
Clever child-friendly analogies explain the dramatic effect of the hurricane while the rich illustrations skillfully capture the beauty of the boy’s world. Best of all, readers will feel reassured and inspired by the community’s ability to come together and create something good from a difficult situation.
Lupe Lopez Reading Rock Star! by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo and Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Joe Cepeda
(Ages 5 and up)
Learning to read can be extremely intimidating to children and I love how this book shows that when the main character struggles to read, she faces her frustration and celebrates her effort. This is one that many children will relate to. Lupe Lopez is not only a fun character, but a great model of resilience.
Abdul’s Story by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow; illustrated by Tiffany Rose, 2022
(Ages 5 and up)
Abdul loves to tell stories, but when it comes to writing them down, he just can’t do it. The spelling is too hard, he still has trouble remembering which way a “b” and “d” goes, and his paper always ends up with too many smudge marks from his eraser. When an author comes to visit his classroom, however, he inspires Abdul to write all of his thoughts down even if the result is messy. With the author’s encouragement, Abdul is able to gain the confidence to continue working on his stories and sharing them with the world.
After witnessing my own son’s struggles with spelling and frustration with writing, this story really touched my heart. It’s a great reminder that we have the ability to empower kids to work through the obstacles they encounter and help them accomplish their dreams. With its important lesson in empathy and understanding that people can learn in different ways, this is an essential book for classrooms.
Failure Friday by Andrea Burns; illustrated by Barbara Bongini, 2022
(Ages 6 and up)
“We celebrate our failures because our failures keep us pushing forward until we get it right.” Oh, how I love this book! It is such a relatable story on many levels and does an excellent job of conveying the message that it is okay to fail.
Everyone in Emma’s family runs, which is why she feels like a disappointment when she is not very good at track. After dropping the baton at a big meet, her teacher gives her class an important lesson on perseverance. She introduces an excellent acronym that helps encourage readers to embrace their failures and learn from them. There are so many essential lessons woven into this authentic story, I highly recommend it!
Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin; illustrated by Maribel Lechuga
(Ages 5 and up)
So much of life is about perspective and this tender and profound story teaches readers that even when we are feeling at our lowest, we can find beauty and hope in the simple pleasures of life.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
