Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

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Screenwise Verdict

This is one of those rare picture books that adults genuinely enjoy reading aloud. It's beautiful, it's smart, and it delivers a legitimately useful message without being didactic.

The concept—watching an artist incorporate every 'mistake' into her evolving drawing—is simple but profound. Kids see that creativity isn't about getting it right the first time; it's about adapting, experimenting, and trusting the process. For perfectionists (kids or adults), it's quietly revolutionary.

Luyken's debut is confident and original. The minimal text lets the illustrations do the heavy lifting, and they're gorgeous—ink and colored pencil work that feels both loose and intentional. It's the kind of book you'll read dozens of times and still notice new details.

If your kid tears up their homework or quits activities when they're not immediately good at them, this book won't solve the problem, but it's a great conversation starter. And honestly? It's just a lovely, calming reading experience. Highly recommended.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-10, especially kids learning to read or draw. Younger kids will love the pictures and the idea; older elementary kids will appreciate the deeper message about creative process and self-acceptance.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

92

Genuinely warm and encouraging without being saccharine. Models resilience, self-acceptance, and the idea that imperfection is part of the creative process. The gentle humor (a 'weird frog-cat-cow thing' becoming a bush) keeps it grounded and relatable rather than preachy. No chaos, no meanness—just a calm journey through problem-solving.

Imaginative

96

This is creativity distilled into picture-book form. The entire premise is about transforming accidents into art, showing kids that iteration and improvisation are legitimate creative strategies. The minimal text invites kids to study the illustrations and imagine their own 'mistakes' becoming something new. It's a meta-book about making books, which is delightfully inventive.

Safe

98

Zero concerns. No scary imagery, no mature themes, no content that could surprise or upset a young reader. It's a picture book about drawing. The only 'risk' is that a kid might spill ink trying to replicate the art, which is basically the point.

Enriching

88

Delivers a genuinely useful life lesson about growth mindset and creative resilience without feeling like a lesson. Kids learn that mistakes aren't failures—they're opportunities. The artistic process shown is real and applicable. It won't teach specific skills, but it teaches an approach to learning and making that's valuable across domains. Also just a lovely, contemplative reading experience.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches growth mindset without feeling like a lesson—it's just a story about making art and rolling with it
Corinna Luyken's illustrations are stunning and show the actual creative process, mistakes and all
Perfect antidote for kids who crumple up their drawings or quit when things don't look 'right'
Short enough to hold attention but deep enough to spark real conversations about failure and resilience
Works beautifully as a graduation gift or encouragement for kids facing transitions

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What to Watch For

Some kids might need help understanding the meta-narrative (the book itself is the 'mistake' being transformed)
It's quiet and contemplative—won't work if your kid needs high-energy stories to stay engaged
Might inspire enthusiastic 'mistake art' sessions, so have supplies ready

Conversation Starters

"What's a mistake you made that turned into something cool?"
"If you could add one thing to this artist's drawing, what would it be?"
"Do you think she planned the whole picture from the start, or made it up as she went?"
"What's something you're working on that feels hard right now? How could you change it instead of starting over?"

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The Book of Mistakes