The Best Kids Books About Growth Mindset
The Power of Yeti by Rebecca Van Slyke, illustrated by G. Brian Karas
When a young boy starts to feel discouraged by the things he can’t do, a friendly Yeti helps him reframe his thinking with the power of “yet.” A gentle and encouraging story about resilience and the belief that growth takes time.
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg
This inventive, interactive book turns smudges, spills, and tears into artistic inspiration. Perfect for helping little ones embrace mistakes as opportunities for creativity and learning. A must-have for perfectionists and budding artists alike.
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez
A hopeful, rhythmic picture book that introduces children to the idea of the “Yet”—a magical mindset that reminds us all that just because we can’t do something today, doesn’t mean we won’t be able to do it someday. A great reminder that perseverance is part of the process.
Elephants Cannot Dance! by Mo Willems
In this laugh-out-loud entry from the Elephant & Piggie series, Piggie tries to teach Gerald how to dance—even though elephants supposedly “cannot dance.” It’s a lighthearted exploration of trying new things and not taking yourself too seriously.
Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall
Jabari is back—this time determined to build a flying machine! When things don’t go as planned, Jabari learns the value of persistence, asking for help, and working as a team. A wonderful follow-up to Jabari Jumps that highlights problem-solving and creativity.
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
A girl sets out to make the most magnificent thing with the help of her dog. But when it doesn’t turn out how she imagined, frustration sets in. This charming story normalizes failure and reminds kids that determination and imagination go hand-in-hand.
The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires
Lou’s friends are ready for adventure, but when it involves climbing a tree, Lou hesitates—she’s never done it before. A tender, relatable story about facing fears, trying hard things, and learning that it’s okay to not be ready... yet.
The Struggle Bus by Julie Koon
We all have days when nothing seems to go right—and that’s exactly what The Struggle Bus is about. This playful yet reassuring story follows a determined character who boards the "struggle bus" and slowly learns that tough moments are just part of the ride. A clever and compassionate reminder that perseverance, patience, and a little humor can carry us through even the hardest days.
Sal Boat: A Boat by Sal by Thyra Heder
Sal is a quiet, observant child who spends most of his time drawing boats and dreaming about building one of his own. When he finally decides to turn his vision into reality, the whole neighborhood gets involved—whether he wants their help or not. A beautifully illustrated, heartfelt story about creativity, independence, community, and the joy of making something that's truly your own.
The books above were the favorites for my kids so far, but there are a few others I’ve enjoyed as well. Your Fantastic Elastic Brain gave us a baseline for the science of what’s happening inside their heads that we can reference as life hits highs and lows. This Executive Functioning Workbook for Kids is something we have been doing a bit of here and there together. I’ve found I have to take the lead on asking myself the questions, and then they want to chime in and get involved, applying it to themselves. And, finally, we love Diane Alber’s “A Little Spot” series, and own almost all of them. We’ve been pulling down A Little Spot of Flexible Thinking quite a bit this summer!
Motivational Stories of Perseverance, Determination, Problem-Solving, and Teamwork - For Preschoolers, Kindergarteners, and Kids Ages 4-8