The Book of Mistakes: questions to ask and activities to try
One mistake, then another, then a picture nobody planned. The Book of Mistakes is a gentle way to show children that getting it wrong can be the start of something.
What age is it for? The Book of Mistakes is best for ages 4–8. Good for: Children who get upset or give up when something goes wrong.
The Book of Mistakes (Corinna Luyken)
- Age
- 4-8
- Best for
- Children who get upset or give up when something goes wrong
Read it slowly and look closely at the pictures: the mistakes are easy to miss once they've been turned into something else. Then ask your child to spot them.
What it helps with
- Getting upset or ripping up work after a mistake
- Seeing a mistake as a starting point
- Perfectionism in drawing, writing and making
- Being creative with what went wrong
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Can you find the first mistake in the picture?”
- “What did the artist turn the mistakes into?”
- “How do you feel when you make a mistake in a drawing?”
- “Was the picture better or worse because of the mistakes?”
- “What’s a mistake you made that turned out OK?”
- “What could you do next time something goes wrong?”
5-minute activities to try together
Scribble rescue
Each of you makes a quick scribble, then swap and turn the other person's scribble into a picture.
Mistake of the day
At dinner, everyone shares one mistake from today and one thing they learned from it. Grown-ups go first.
Free printables: The Book of Mistakes worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Beautiful Oops! (Barney Saltzberg)
- Best for
- Little ones who get upset about spills, tears and smudges
- Age
- 2-6
Ish (Peter H. Reynolds)
- Best for
- Children who give up because their work isn't 'right'
- Age
- 4-8
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes (Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein)
- Best for
- Fear of mistakes, perfectionism and trying new things
- Age
- 5-8
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 6 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.