Stickley Makes a Mistake! – A Frog’s Guide to Trying Again
Brenda S. Miles, Author
Steve Mack, Illustrator
Magination Press, Fiction, Aug. 15, 2016
Suitable for Ages: 5-8
Themes: Frogs, Animals, Making mistakes, Perfection, Perseverance, Rhyme
Opening: When Stickley was young, he didn’t like making mistakes. “Oh no!” he’d say, and he wouldn’t try again. He wanted to be perfect.
Book Synopsis: Stickley didn’t like making mistakes. With help from his Grandpa, Stickley learns to hop up, try again, and say “oh well” when he makes a mistake. Nobody’s perfect, and good things can happen even when you make mistakes — like putting blueberries in the pancake batter instead of chocolate chips. When Stickley writes 1 + 1 = 3 on the blackboard, he asks for help and a polar bear hands him an ice cream cone with two sweet scoops.
Why I like this book:
Brenda S. Mills’ has written a charming and important sequel to her popular Stickley Sticks To It book. Stickley is so afraid of making a mistake, that he’s afraid to try when he messes up. It is important for children to learn that making a mistake is part of their learning process. They grow from their mistakes. And, some mistakes can be fun. The language is artful, with a careful use of prose that is also lyrical at times. “No one is perfect, / so practice your best! / If you’re stuck on a problem, / ask for help with the rest!” Steve Mack’s illustrations are colorful, lively and full of personality. Stickley’s expressions are priceless.
Resources: The book includes a Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers with tips for helping children to embrace their mistakes, learn from them, and keep trying. Stickley Makes a Mistake, is an important book for preschools and elementary students. This is a good book to read at the start of the new year, to help children know that perfection isn’t the goal — the fun of learning. And since many parents don’t like making mistakes, it’s a fun book to read with your child. It will encourage many fun discussions.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
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