Beautiful Opps!: a beautiful exploration of growth mindset
/“A smudge and a smear… can make magic appear.”
Do your kids ever get frustrated or angry when they make a mistake? Mine do all the time. It’s the end of the world when they're trying and trying to do something but just can’t manage it. And, if I’m going to be completely honest, it’s the same for me more often than not.
The need to get things ‘right’ all the time can be difficult and stressful, leading to a multitude of negative feelings.
Beautiful Oops! has been a wonderful comfort in our house for moments like these. It’s a beautiful celebration of the opportunities that ‘mistakes’ open up and a reminder to look beyond the obvious or expected. It’s a simple story (with absolutely amazing artwork!) that reminds us that a mistake isn’t the end of the world.
“Oops!
A torn piece of paper…
Is just the beginning!
Every Spill..
has lots…
and lots…
of possibilities!”
While the story is based around making art and hands-on involvement, the concept has a much broader impact and is a wonderful tool for encouraging a growth minsdet.
A bent piece of paper or a drop of paint can inspire and activate imagination
The wrong answer on a test isn’t the end of the world, it's simply an opportunity to learn
A smudge or a stain has art potential, just as our failures and weaknesses allow us to grow
As you can see, the illustrations are fun and interactive—you can’t help feeling happy as you read—but this impressive book also provides lots to think about. It encourages kids (and 'grownups') to give things a try and change the way they/we think about mistakes and oops!
Beautiful Oops! would make a wonderful gift for any occasion and a perfect coffee table read. It's available as a board book, hard cover or paperback—and there's a fun video:
BEAUTIFUL OOPS!
by Barney Saltzberg – Workman Publishing, 2010
ages 3 to 10 years / picture books + coffee table, emotional resilience, funny, imagination
