Every child gets frustrated when something is hard. These picture books show characters who make mistakes, feel like giving up, and try again. They are great conversation starters about practice, patience and resilience.
1. Ping’s Perfect Pot
written by Helen H. Wu, illustrated by Zihua Yang; Beaming Books, 2025
Ping’s first pot is clumsy, the second crumbles and the third is too flimsy. With Grandpa’s encouragement, Ping keeps trying and learns that perfection takes practice.
2. Long Goes to Dragon School
written by Helen H. Wu, illustrated by Mae Besom; Yeehoo Press, 2023
Long can only breathe water at a school for fire-breathing dragons. No matter how hard he huffs and puffs, he can’t do it their way, until he finds his own.
3. Flight School
by Lita Judge; Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2014
A small penguin with the soul of an eagle signs up for flight school, even though his body clearly wasn’t built for soaring. His cheerful refusal to give up, along with a little help from his teachers, makes this a funny, heartwarming read about chasing a dream that seems out of reach.
4. The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do
by Ashley Spires; Kids Can Press, 2017
When her friends climb a tree to play pirates, Lou makes every excuse she can think of before she finally tries, and she doesn’t make it to the top. It’s a gentle, honest story for kids who dread new challenges, and it shows that being brave enough to try is a win of its own.
5. The Magical Yet
by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez; Disney-Hyperion, 2020
This rhyming story turns the word "yet" into a sparkly companion who reminds kids that not being able to do something now doesn’t mean they never will. Lorena Alvarez’s glowing art makes the idea of a growth mindset feel like real magic for young readers.
6. Mae Among the Stars
by Roda Ahmed, illustrated by Stasia Burrington; Harper, 2018
Young Mae dreams of going to space, and she holds on to that dream when classmates and even a teacher tell her to aim lower. Inspired by astronaut Mae Jemison, this book celebrates big dreams, hard work, and the people who believe in us.
7. Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin
by Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Qin Leng; Kids Can Press, 2014
Hana has had only three violin lessons when she signs up for the school talent show, and she practices every day despite her brothers’ teasing. When her moment on stage arrives, she finds her own creative way to shine, making this a lovely story about practice, courage, and family.
8. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein, illustrated by Mark Pett; Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2011
Beatrice Bottomwell is famous in her town for never making a mistake, until a very public slip-up during the talent show changes everything. It’s a funny, freeing story for little perfectionists, and it shows that mistakes can make life more fun.
9. Giraffes Can’t Dance
by Giles Andreae, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees; Orchard Books (Scholastic), 2001
Gerald the giraffe is laughed off the dance floor at the jungle dance, until a kind cricket helps him find his own music. This bouncy, rhyming favorite helps kids feel good about being themselves and keeping at it, and it’s a joy to read aloud.
Looking for more? See my list of diverse children’s books on growth mindset.
More picture book lists
- 8 Children’s Picture Books About Patience
- Picture Books About Dragons for Kids
- Mindfulness and Calm-Down Books for Kids
- Picture Books About Grandparents
Browse all of Helen’s picture book lists, or see all of Helen’s books.
