Favourite Books Friday: Books about Perfectionism

Welcome back to Favourite Books Friday! This week, we’re diving into a new theme: perfectionism in children. This one is particularly meaningful to me right now as my sons are starting to join sports teams. We’ll be reading a few of these stories together to help deal with some of the anxiety and feelings around playing on a team. As adults, we know the pressure of striving for perfection all too well, and seeing our little ones grapple with it can be tough. Today I have a list of 20 fantastic books that can help you and your children navigate the waters of perfectionism with ease and empathy.

1. “The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes” by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein This delightful story follows the journey of Beatrice Bottomwell, who never makes mistakes—until the day she does. A humorous and heartwarming tale that gently reminds kids (and adults!) that it’s okay to be imperfect.
2. “It’s Not All Rainbows” by Jessika Von Innerebner When a little girl’s rainbow drawing doesn’t turn out the way she expects, she learns an important lesson about embracing imperfection and finding beauty in unexpected places.
3. “Penelope Perfect” by Shannon Anderson Penelope strives to be perfect in everything she does, but when her perfectionism starts to cause problems, she learns that being imperfect can be perfectly wonderful.
4. “Taco Falls Apart” by Jennifer Dussling Taco the hedgehog tries to be perfect in everything he does, but when he falls apart during the school talent show, he discovers that imperfection is what makes him unique.
5. “Ish” by Peter H. Reynolds Ramon loves to draw, until one day his brother laughs at his “sloppy” artwork. Feeling discouraged, Ramon gives up—until his sister teaches him the power of “ish.” A beautiful book celebrating the beauty of imperfection.
6. “Rosie Revere, Engineer” by Andrea Beaty Rosie dreams of becoming a great engineer, but when her first invention fails, she feels like giving up. With the help of her great-great-aunt Rose, Rosie learns that failure is just part of the journey to success.
7. “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires When a little girl sets out to create the most magnificent thing, she encounters frustration and setbacks along the way. This book teaches children about perseverance and the importance of embracing imperfection.
8. “Beautiful Oops!” by Barney Saltzberg A celebration of mistakes turned into masterpieces, “Beautiful Oops!” encourages kids to see the potential in every mishap. From torn paper to spilled paint, every “oops” is an opportunity for creativity.
9. “Giraffes Can’t Dance” by Giles Andreae Gerald the giraffe wants nothing more than to dance, but his clumsy moves earn him ridicule from the other animals. With the help of a wise friend, Gerald learns that it’s okay to dance to his own tune.
10. “Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream” by Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan A biographical picture book about basketball legend Michael Jordan’s journey to success. This book emphasizes the importance of practice, determination, and overcoming self-doubt.
11. “Your Fantastic Elastic Brain: Stretch It, Shape It” by JoAnn Deak Through engaging illustrations and accessible language, this book introduces children to the concept of neuroplasticity and encourages them to embrace challenges as opportunities to grow their brains.
12. “The Dot” by Peter H. Reynolds Vashti thinks she can’t draw, but with a little encouragement from her teacher, she discovers the power of a simple dot. A story about creativity, self-expression, and the beauty of starting with just one mark.
13. “What Do You Do With a Problem?” by Kobi Yamada This captivating book explores the idea that problems can be opportunities in disguise. With its inspiring message and stunning illustrations, it’s a must-read for anyone, young or old, grappling with perfectionism.
14. “Ramen for Everyone” by Sarah Warburton A charming story about a little boy named Timmy who learns that imperfection can lead to unexpected joys, especially when it comes to cooking up a delicious bowl of ramen.
15. “The Perfect Sushi” by Katie Kawa Join Suki on her quest for the perfect sushi roll, where she discovers that sometimes imperfections are what make things truly special.
16. “Marigold Bakes a Cake” by Mike Malbrough Marigold the cat sets out to bake the perfect cake, but things don’t go exactly as planned. A delightful story about the beauty of imperfection and the joy of trying new things.
17. “Marker” by Anna Kang A heartwarming tale about a permanent marker named Marker who can’t erase her mistakes. She learns that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as you try your best.
18. “Not Perfect” by Maya Myers Perfectionist Dot learns that comparison is the thief of joy —and imperfections—in this charming story about friendship, acceptance, and the beauty of being yourself.
19. “Pretty Perfect Kitty Corn” by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham Kitty Corn wants to be perfect in everything she does, but when she learns to embrace her unique quirks, she discovers that being pretty perfect is pretty boring.
20. “The Girl Who Makes a Million Mistakes” by Brenda Li In this empowering tale, Millie makes a LOT of mistakes during her track and field meet. Her growth mindset leads her to success.

There you have it—20 wonderful books to help you and your little ones tackle perfectionism with confidence and compassion. Remember, it’s not about being flawless; it’s about embracing our imperfections and learning and growing from them. Happy reading! See you next time for more favourites!