Growth mindset is a term popularized by Dr. Carol Dweck that emphasizes the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, persistence, and learning. Research on growth mindset reveals benefits for children including greater resilience, enhanced problem-solving skills, and a positive attitude toward learning (Dweck, 2006).
When children are encouraged to see challenges and failures as opportunities to grow rather than as fixed limitations, they are more likely to persist in the face of difficulty. Studies have shown that fostering a growth mindset can significantly improve academic outcomes, emotional well-being, and motivation, particularly for students facing adversity (Dweck & Leggett, 1988).
In this blog post, I will share 18 books for kids to help them develop a growth mindset, including books to teach about the power of yet, books to teach about the importance of making mistakes, and growth mindset books related to the arts.
One simple yet powerful tool for cultivating a growth mindset in children is by teaching them about the concept of the word “yet.” Adding this small word to statements like "I can't do this" transforms them into "I can't do this yet," opening the door to possibility and effort.
Children's books that emphasize the power of “yet” and the importance of learning from mistakes help children internalize these ideas in a relatable and engaging way. By reframing failure as a stepping stone to success, these stories encourage persistence and curiosity. They provide an accessible foundation for children to embrace challenges with confidence and build resilience.
For copies of these free Growth Mindset Posters, just subscribe to my free SEL resource library. If you're already a member, you can check them out here!
Growth Mindset Books about the Power of the Word "Yet"
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi is a cute picture book that introduces children to the power of the word “yet” as they work through challenges. It encourages a growth mindset by showing that skills we haven’t mastered yet are achievable with patience, practice, and persistence. This inspiring message helps children see mistakes and setbacks as natural parts of the learning journey.
The Power of Yet by Maryanne Cocca-Leffler is a short book that is adorably illustrated with rhyming words about the power of yet. One of my favorite lines is “the path to get is not a straight line. It takes growing and doing, patience, and time. To ge to yet, you’ll drop the ball, you’ll do it wrong and take a fall. You’ll try and practice along the way, and make mistakes, but that’s OK!”
I Can’t Do That YET by Esther Pia Cordova This book has a concept about your future self which is an advanced concept, so it would be better for older children. The story follows Enna, who falls asleep and meets versions of her older, future self. Her future selves teach her not to be concerned with the things she can’t do yet. This would be a great book to read before having children explore by creating some art or writing about their future selves.
When Sophie Thinks She Can’t by Molly Bang is a story that introduces children to the power of a growth mindset. Sophie is having a tough day, feeling frustrated and defeated by a challenging geometry puzzle. She’s ready to give up, convinced she isn’t smart enough to solve it. But with the support of her teacher, she learns an empowering lesson: her brain is like a muscle that grows stronger when she works through hard problems. Her teacher introduces her to the powerful concept of the word yet—she may not be able to solve the puzzle yet, but with persistence and effort, she can improve.
Picture Books About Making Mistakes
Mistakes are an inevitable part of life, and picture books can help children understand that they are valuable opportunities for growth, creativity, and resilience. Stories like these ones use humor and relatable scenarios to show that errors can lead to unexpected learning moments and even joy. Some of these stories also emphasize that perfection isn’t the goal. Instead, it’s about embracing our imperfections and finding new possibilities through them.
It’s Okay to Make Mistakes by Todd Parr is a colorful book that reassures children it’s normal and okay to make mistakes. With playful illustrations and simple, relatable examples—like spilling milk or coloring outside the lines—the book teaches that mistakes can lead to creativity, learning, and fun. It emphasizing that mistakes are part of learning and growing, and they don’t define a person’s worth or abilities.
This book is good for younger kids because of its bright visuals, simple language, and positive tone, which make the concept of embracing mistakes accessible. After reading, a great activity could be a “Mistake Art” project where kids start with “mistakes” like scribbles or paint smudges on paper and turn them into creative drawings. This helps reinforce the idea that mistakes can lead to new possibilities while keeping the activity lighthearted and fun for young learners.
Henry’s Awful Mistake by Robert Quackenbush is a funny story about Henry the Duck, who spots an ant in his house just before hosting a dinner for his friend Clara. Determined to get rid of the ant, Henry’s increasingly desperate attempts to eliminate it lead to chaos, ultimately causing his house to collapse. The story conveys an important lesson about overreacting to small problems and how mistakes, even big ones, can be opportunities to learn and grow. It subtly promotes a growth mindset by showing that mistakes are part of life and can be handled with reflection and adaptability.
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pat and Gary Rubenstein is a fun book about a girl named Beatrice who never makes mistakes, until she enters a talent show and makes a big mistake. She ends up learning that life is a lot more fun when you make mistakes!
The Book of Mistakes by Karina Luyken is an imaginative book that uses art to show how making mistakes can be a great gateway into new creations, and how helpful it can be when we change the way we look at things.
A Whale of a Mistake by Ioani Hobai is a beautifully illustrated picture book that shows a boy worrying about mistakes, which weighs him down. He learns that there’s a full universe of mistakes and not to look at his mistakes as a big deal anymore. One of my favorite lines from the book is: “when you’re feeling brave enough to move on, your mistake doesn’t stop you anymore.”
Even Superheroes Make Mistakes by Shelly Becker is a super cute book that shows children even the most extraordinary people make mistakes—and that’s okay! Through fun illustrations and fun, rhyming text, the story follows a group of superheroes as they bungle their missions, make poor decisions, or face setbacks. Instead of giving up, these heroes own their mistakes, learn from them, and work to make things right. Their resilience and determination remind us that no one is perfect, not even superheroes, and mistakes are opportunities to grow.
Growth Mindset Books About Art
Art can provide a powerful avenue for teaching children about the growth mindset, where mistakes can spark creativity. Picture books like these inspire us to see artistic challenges as opportunities to grow and explore. These stories highlight the importance of encouragement, perseverance, and viewing errors as stepping stones to imaginative outcomes. By focusing on resilience and the joy of trying, these books help children develop confidence in their abilities and learn that creativity flourishes when they embrace their imperfections.
The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds is one of my favorite picture books of all time! It’s a story about a young girl named Vashti who believes she can’t draw. Encouraged by her teacher to “just make a mark,” Vashti hesitantly makes a single dot on paper. Her teacher praises her effort and inspires Vashti to see the value in her work, leading her to explore her creativity and create a series of imaginative dot-based artworks. The book promotes a growth mindset by showing how encouragement and a willingness to try can unlock hidden potential and confidence.
After reading The Dot, a fun art project for kids could be a “Dot Art Exploration” where they create their own unique art pieces starting with a single dot. They can use markers, daubers, paints, or even collage materials to turn their dot into something extraordinary, celebrating creativity and individuality.
Regina’s Big Mistake by Marissa Moss is a relatable story of a young girl named Regina who becomes frustrated while drawing a rainforest for a class project. Convinced that her mistakes have ruined her picture, she initially wants to give up. However, Regina eventually learns to embrace her imperfections and uses her perceived mistakes to create something unique and beautiful, turning her frustration into creativity. The book teaches about growth mindset by showing that challenges and setbacks can lead to learning and improvement. It emphasizes that mistakes are opportunities for growth, rather than reasons to quit.
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg is an interactive and visually engaging book that teaches children to see mistakes as opportunities for creativity. Each page transforms spills, tears, and smudges into imaginative works of art, demonstrating that accidents can lead to beautiful and unexpected results. The book encourages children to embrace their mistakes as part of the creative process and to approach challenges with curiosity and positivity.
Growth Mindset Books for Kids
Fostering a growth mindset in children can be a transformative way to help them navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop a love for learning. Books like these help introduce children to the concepts of perseverance and flexibility in the face of setbacks, emphasizing that effort and a willingness to try again are key to success.
She’s Got This! by Olympic gymnast. Laurie Hernandez is a story about a girl named Zoe, who starts learning to do gymnastics. When she has her first fall off the balance beam she wants to give up. Her mom takes her out for ice cream to celebrate because falling is good news she tells her that “each fall makes you better “and “now you have to try again. Maybe you’ll fall but maybe not you won’t know unless you try. “ in the story, her Mom helps her to have a growth mindset
Bubble Gum Brain by Julia Cook is a fun story that uses the metaphor of bubble gum to illustrate the difference between having a growth mindset (“Bubble Gum Brain”) and a fixed mindset (“Brick Brain”). Bubble Gum Brain is flexible and open to learning, while Brick Brain is rigid and resistant to change. The book empowers kids to embrace challenges, take risks, and understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process.
The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper is a classic story about a small blue engine tasked with pulling a heavy train over a mountain when larger engines refuse to help. Despite doubts about its abilities, the little engine repeats the mantra “I think I can” and perseveres, successfully delivering the train to its destination. The story illustrates the power of determination, optimism, and self-belief, aligning with the principles of a growth mindset by demonstrating that effort and perseverance can overcome obstacles.
After reading The Little Engine That Could, a fun activity can be to have kids create a “Goal Train.” Kids can decorate paper train cars and write a personal goal on each one, then connect them to form a train. This activity helps children visualize their ambitions and understand that persistence, like the little engine’s, can help them achieve their goals.
Y is for Yet: A Growth Mindset Alphabet by Shannon Anderson is a really uplifting book full of positive affirmations that follow the alphabet.
Yay! You Failed! By Shannon Anderson is a self help book for upper elementary students talks about the power of a growth mindset and the challenges of having a fixed mindset. The book reviews perfection and how “practice makes progress.” It includes notes on the success cycle of trying, failing, learning, and improving. The book also reviews how to keep going when things get tough, tips for taking breaks, using positive self talk, and getting help from others. They also talk about dealing with "what if" thoughts, not comparing yourself to others, as well as setting goals and breaking them down, picturing success, and then celebrating when you achieve your goals.
Good Night to Your Fantastic Elastic Brian by JoAnn Deak talks about what your brain does and how sleeping helps your brain recharge and develop. There are anatomy images and it talks about how practicing and learning makes the brain grow stronger. The book even covers what happens if your brain doesn’t get enough sleep.
Growth Mindset Activities for Kids
If you're looking for activities to help kids increase their growth mindset skills, check out this fun emotional intelligence bundle. These activities will help kids develop a mindset for success by helping them to learn from mistakes, increase self-efficacy, build resilience, increase positive thinking, and overcome a fixed mindset.
Students will learn the difference between a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset by reading a social story, playing games, reading, writing, and completing other engaging activities while practicing their EQ skills.
All Sets Include: ✨
✔ "I Can" Learning Targets Poster
✔ Playing a Game Visual Poster
✔ S.M.A.R.T. IEP and Treatment Plan Objectives
✔ Data Collection Sheet for Tracking Progress
✔ Editable Letter to Families About Growth Mindset
✔ Positive Notes Home to Reinforce Growth Mindset Principles
✔ Available in Color and Black and White
✔ Growth Mindset Game with Spinner, Pawns, and Dice
✔ 28 Scenario Cards: Digital and Print
✔ 40 Thought Cards: Digital and Print
✔ Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset Sorting Mats
✔ Dice with Growth Mindset Prompts
✔ 12-Page Growth Mindset Social Story Booklet: Digital and Print
✔ 24 Open-Ended Discussion Task Cards on Growth Mindset and Resilience
✔ Digital and Print Growth Mindset Board Game with Spinners, Pawns, and Dice
✔ 56 Growth Mindset Worksheets and Coloring Pages
✔ Growth Mindset Story with 13 Reflection Questions
✔ Writing Response
✔ Graphic Organizers to Reflect on Growth Mindset Habits
✔ Cut and Paste Growth Mindset Worksheet
✔ Quotes for Discussion Prompts
✔ 6 Page Growth Mindset Flip Book
✔ Did I Show a Growth Mindset Today? Self-Reflection Worksheet
You can get them all at a discount in this Social Skills Treasury Growing Bundle or the Growth Mindset Bundle.
Free Growth Mindset Posters
For copies of these free Growth Mindset Posters, just subscribe to my free SEL resource library. If you're already a member, you can check them out here!
References
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
Dweck, C. S., & Leggett, E. L. (1988). A social-cognitive approach to motivation and personality. Psychological Review, 95(2), 256–273. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.95.2.256
