I’m always trying to teach my kids about growth mindset and the power of positive thinking. We can often be heard saying, “thoughts are things” and these books have been treasured companions.
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg
Spills, folded paper, drips of paint, smudges, and smears in this book insist that all of them "can make magic appear." An increasingly clever series of scenarios that celebrates accidents rather than apologizing for them. This book has changed how my boys respond when they mess something up, and it even introduced “mistake art” into our house where we start by closing our eyes and scribbling and then opening them up to turn the scribbles into something fun.
The Power of Yeti by Rebecca Van Slyke, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Some days it seems like everybody is bigger, stronger, and faster than you, and that has one little boy feeling blue. Then a big, hairy Yeti steps in and teaches him about the power of “yeti.” "I can't do it… yeti!" has been a common phrase in our house for years thanks to this book!
The Struggle Bus by Julie Koon, illustrated by Nevin Mays
Sometimes things are just really tough. Sometimes you've had enough. The Struggle Bus arrives right on cue. I loved this whole story, but I especially loved the note about growth mindset at the end, which the boys have asked me to read every single time.