24 Children’s Books That Promote a Growth Mindset

Help reinforce a growth mindset in your kids with these seventeen children’s books.

Help reinforce a growth mindset in your kids with these eleven children's books.

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If you have kids in school, read parenting articles, or work in education, you’ve most definitely heard the buzzword – “growth mindset”.

Growth mindset refers to people who think of intelligence as something that can improve and grow with effort and hard work. The term was coined by psychologist Carol Dweck in her best-selling book, Mindset, The New Psychology of Success.

People with a growth mindset, Dweck explains, tend to experience greater success in work, relationships, and life in general than those with a fixed mindset – or people who feel intelligence is set at birth, unmalleable, and impossible to change.

I remember when I first read Mindset a few years ago – the message in the book was revolutionary.

I began to see how much of a fixed mindset I had – placing limits on my abilities and not taking on challenges for fear of failure.

I also started to notice ways I would talk to my daughters that suggested a fixed mindset. Instead of praising their efforts I was praising their results and would caution them instead of encouraging them to take on risks.

Changing the way we talk to our kids is one step towards helping to reinforce the message of a growth mindset. Another is to read books to kids with stories that convey a similar message.

Below are fourteen books that let kids know it’s OK to not at first succeed, that failure and challenges can be viewed as opportunities rather than dead ends, and that determination often results in a far better outcome than being perfect.

24 Growth Mindset Books for Kids

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Salt in His Shoes

by Michael Jordan

Michael feels the reason he isn’t very good at basketball is because he’s short. His mother suggests he put salt in his shoes and say a prayer to help him grow. But months go by and he still isn’t any taller. Finally, while talking to his father, Michael learns that being taller isn’t everything – it’s practice, determination and giving your best that will that really make the difference. And the rest of Michael Jordan’s true story is history…

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

by Mark Pett

Beatrice Bottomwell is a girl who never makes mistakes – not ever. Until one day she comes close to dropping a few eggs (a mistake) and thereafter her life is governed by the fear of one day making a mistake. Beatrice begins limiting her activities so she will never make a mistake. But Beatrice learns an important lesson about making mistakes after something unexpected happens at the school talent show.

What Do You Do With a Problem?

by Kobi Yamada

A young boy has a hypothetical problem and he doesn’t know what to do with it. He’s scared of his problem, tries to hide from it, and worries about his problem. Until one day, even though he’s still afraid, the boy can’t take it anymore and decides he must face his problem. He then discovers that his problem wasn’t as bad as he had made it out to be and even contains something special…opportunity.

What Do You Do With an Idea?

by Kobi Yamada

From the same author of What Do You Do with a Problem?, is a story of a boy with an idea. Despite having an idea and liking it, the boy brushes it aside and worries what other people will think of his idea. The idea sticks with him, however, and eventually the boy decides to share his idea with other people and some people DO say it’s not a good idea and won’t become of anything. Eventually, though the boy realizes that these other people may not know what they’re talking about. The story ends with an empowering resolution of what can come from the pursuit of good ideas.

Jabari Jumps

by Gaia Cornwall

This delightful book is about a young boy named Jabari who announces to his dad that he’s now ready to jump off their pool’s diving board. But when faced with the prospect of actually jumping, Jabari’s hesitant. As he waits in line to climb the diving board stairs, Jabari lets other kids pass in front of him. Eventually, Jabari climbs the ladder but then gets back down and decides to wait until tomorrow. The next day, he climbs up again and after a quick pep talk to himself – finally takes a leap! This story normalizes the fear everyone goes through when faced with new challenges. Jabari’s father also serves as a positive coach and support for Jabari as he struggles to take his first dive.

The Most Magnificent Thing

by Ashley Spires

A girl sets out to make the most magnificent thing. She knows exactly how it will work, all she has to do is make it. But making this most magnificent thing is anything but easy and she tries and fails repeatedly. Eventually, she gets really mad and decides to quit. Until her dog convinces her to take a walk. The walk gives the girl a new perspective on her project and in the end she manages to create it.


Looking for more ways to nurture a growth mindset in your kids? Sign up for my email list – where I share one parenting tip each week – and I’ll send you this growth mindset affirmations printout as a free gift. Hang it up in your kitchen or your child’s bedroom as a way to reinforce a growth mindset in your kids. Click the image below to sign-up and get your printout.

growth mindset affirmations

After the Fall

by Dan Santat

We all know the story about how Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall but but what happened after he fell? This story follows Humpty Dumpty, a bird watcher, whose favorite viewing spot used to be on the wall, that is until he fell. Now Humpty is afraid of heights…until he faces his fear.

Flight School

by Lita Judge

Little penguin is determined to fly – he’s seen other birds fly, so why can’t he? Plus, he feels that he has the soul of an eagle. He joins a flight school to learn how and while he remains at the bottom of the class, he still doesn’t give up his determination and dream of flying. Finally, with a little help with the technical parts, little penguin fulfills his dream of flying.

Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin

by Chieri Uegaki

Hana Hashimoto has only taken three violin lessons yet she still signed up for the local talent show. Her brothers think she’s crazy since she’s just a beginner but Hana is determined…that is until just before her time to go on stage. But remembering advice from her grandfather – also a violinist – Hana performs her act, experiencing her own form of success.

Nadia, the Girl Who Couldn’t Sit Still

by Karlin Gray

This is the story of Nadia Comaneci, the famous women’s gymnast who received seven perfect scores in the 1976 Olympic Games. While Nadia was always busy (couldn’t sit still) and seemed to be a natural for gymnastics, her path to stardom wasn’t without bumps along the way. When she was nine, Nadia fell three times on a beam exercise at the National Junior Championships competition and came in thirteenth place.  While disappointed, Nadia continued to practice and try to perfect her routines – and the rest is history.

Emmanuel’s Dream

by Laurie Ann Thompson 

This is the inspiring true story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah. Born in Ghana with one deformed leg, Emmanuel overcame obstacles throughout his life. As a young boy he would hop for two miles to get to school, learned to play soccer and even began working at at thirteen to provide for his family. He also became a cyclist and rode 400 miles across Ghana in 2001. Today, Emmanuel works to spread the message that a disability is no inability.

The Magical Yet

by Angela DiTerlizzi 

This sweet book sends the message to kids (and adults!) that just because we haven’t learned or mastered something doesn’t mean that we’re a failure – we just haven’t mastered it yet. The story shows typical situations a child might face such as learning to ride a bike, learning to dance, or practicing painting. Each situation shows a child struggling to learn something new but reminded that with persistence they can.

The Book of Mistakes

by Corinna Luyken

A whimsical tale about an artist trying to draw a girl but who keeps making mistakes. Each mistake is turned into an improvement of the drawing, illustrating (literally) how mistakes can be turned into opportunities.

Beautiful Oops

by Barney Saltzberg

Not all artwork is perfect, and in fact, sometimes mistakes can turn into wonderful designs! Beautiful Oops is a fun, visually appealing book that shows the creative process isn’t always perfect and making mistakes can turn out to be excellent opportunities. The companion book, My Beautiful Oops, is a hands-on journal that’s sole purpose is to be torn up, folded, smudged and otherwise artistically wreaked.

The OK Book

by Amy Krouse Rosenthal 

This simply written book outlines a series of activities that the main character, a stick figure, is OK at – showing kids it’s alright to just be OK at many things. The stick figure acknowledges that one day he’ll grow up to be excellent at something, but he doesn’t know what that is yet, and that too is OK.

Rosie Revere, Engineer

by Andrea Beaty 

Rosie has big dreams of becoming an engineer and spends most of her time tinkering and making machines. Until one day when the uncle she loves most giggles when she shows him a hat she made from parts of a fan and cheddar cheese spray. After that, Rosie begins to keep her dreams to herself. It’s not until a great aunt comes to visit and tells Rosie about building airplanes that she helps Rosie see how failures can be turned into opportunities.

When Sophie Thinks She Can’t…

by Molly Bang

Sophie is a young girl who has trouble with puzzles. She just can’t do them – or math, for that matter. So when Sophie’s teacher tells the class that they will be working on a math puzzle, Sophie feels discouraged. But her teacher assures both Sophie and her classmates that while they may be struggling to solve the puzzle they need to keep in mind the Most Important Word: “yet”. They haven’t solved the puzzle yet but should keep trying. Her teacher also explains how just like muscles get stronger with exercise, by thinking hard our brains get stronger too. As she continues to encourage the children, they find that by trying new methods they are able to solve the puzzle. Of all the books listed in this list, When Sophie Thinks She Can’t… has the most direct growth mindset message for children.

The Dot

by Peter Reynolds

Vashti feels she’s can’t draw, so after art class, her piece of paper is still blank. With a little subtle encouragement from her teacher and a growing desire to improve, Vashti discovers that she can, in fact, draw and even comes to encourage another student to overcome his discouragement.

Ish

by Peter Reynolds

Ramon loves to draw – anytime and anywhere. But one day his older brother Leon makes fun of Ramon’s work and then all of a sudden drawing is no longer the joy it used to be. Fortunately, Ramon’s little sister Marisol sees things differently and lets Ramon see that sometimes art is more than getting things “just right”. A valuable tale for any child who questions their artistic ability.

How to Catch a Star

by Oliver Jeffers

A boy has a dream to catch a star. He tries everything he can to catch a star – jump up and grab it, use a life preserver as a lasso, and then thinks of other possibilities like using a spaceship or getting a seagull to help. In the end, the boy’s wish comes true in a somewhat unexpected way.

A Whistle for Willie

by Ezra Jack Keats

In this classic tale, Willie is determined to whistle. It’s not easy and takes a lot of practice but Willie doesn’t give up. He tries and tries until suddenly – he’s whistling!

Thanks for the Feedback, I Think.

by Julia Cook

This story follows a boy named RJ as he does the things he enjoys – such as blowing bubbles, playing soccer, and spending time with friends. But when a few friends give him compliments, RJ isn’t too sure how to respond. Later, he hears from his teacher and parents that there are a few things he needs to work on. In the end, RJ learns what it means to receive positive and negative feedback and what an appropriate response is in each situation.

Big Life Journal

Big Life Journal

While not a book per se, Big Life Journal is full of growth mindset stories, poems, quotes, illustrations, and writing prompts, specifically to encourage a growth mindset in children. Through stories, kids will be inspired by the failures and successes of people like Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling, Walt Disney, and others. The growth mindset journal is broken down into 26 weeks. And now there’s also a Big Life Journal for tweens and teens. See it by clicking here.

See related:

8 Fixed and Growth Mindset Examples and How to Help Kids Improve

Encouraging a Growth Mindset in Children: Resources for Parents

12 Children’s Books That Teach Perseverance

10 Children’s Books That Teach Empathy

41 of the Best Growth Mindset Quotes for Kids

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