The Book of Mistakes

Almost any child knows the feeling: one errant mark or smudge, and an in-progress drawing or painting is as good as ruined. Not so, says Luyken, in a children's book debut that's as candid as it is encouraging. The pages are virtually blank, at first, and readers watch as a character takes shape: a girl's round head appears, traced in pencil, but one of her large, dark eyes winds up noticeably larger than the other. "Making the other eye even bigger was another mistake," Luyken admits as the problem seems to get worse. "But the glasses--they were a good idea." Additional "mistakes" mount: the girl winds up with an overlong neck and an odd "frog-cat-cow thing" makes an appearance, but Luyken finds a way to turn each one into a success by changing direction or perspective: "The second frog-cat-cow thing made a very nice rock," she writes after inking it in. The idea of setbacks being opportunities in disguise is no stranger to picture book pages, but rarely has it been illuminated with such style, imagination, and compassion. Ages 4-8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Apr.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 3--It starts with a mistake, but page by page, one slightly too large eye, a wonky elbow, and feet a little too far off the ground transform and combine into a larger picture--one that not only is functional but also works perfectly. Illustrations rendered in ink, colored pencil, and watercolor are the focal point. They start small--just a circle, a few lines, a dot on the page, a subtle bit of color here and there--but they slowly grow, flowing across one page and onto the next before reverting back to a smaller image that begins to slowly grow again. Each page shows one small glimpse of the final picture, inviting readers to turn the page to see the rest. The simple text draws readers' attention to the illustrations, and thorough examination is rewarded with playful little details. This is a story about how mistakes can change us all for the better if we are brave enough to face them and march ahead. Readers will love following along as the small spots and smudges on each page change the work in fun and unexpected ways, and even younger readers will finish with fresh optimism and a new idea of what mistakes may become. VERDICT Children, especially fledgling artists, will want to pore over this volume one-on-one. A must-have for every library.--Maggie Mason Smith, Clemson University, SC

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"At once philosophical and imbued with adventurousness, this picture book lifts to the level of the sublime the idea of putting one's slip-ups in perspective."—The Wall Street Journal

* "This will lead kids to see their own so-called mistakes in a new, more positive light."—Booklist, starred review

* "The idea of setbacks being opportunities in disguise is no stranger to picture book pages, but rarely has it been illuminated with such style, imagination, and compassion."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "A striking debut picture book celebrates the creative process...all rendered in a style and palette somewhat reminiscent of Erin E. Stead's work but distinctive in its own right"—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Mistakes in art—as in life—happen, and Luyken shows young readers in a glorious way how they often lead to bigger and better outcomes than anyone could imagine."—BookPage

"I will read this book to every group of students I teach for the rest of my career. ...This book is absolutely magical."—Colby Sharp, Nerdy Book Club

"This beautiful book, which celebrates the imaginative, playful spirit of an artist letting mistakes guide her work, is more than just an embracing of the artistic process, both messy and lovely. It's also quite the odyssey, one that takes readers on unexpected paths, opening minds and perspectives."—Seven Impossible Things