Young Frankie Lane insists on everything being perfect. And as for trying something new – no way! She could get hurt. When she is suddenly out of her comfort zone at school she stands alone in horror. The suggested activities are unexpected and she struggles to cope. What if she can’t do it? Will the other kids laugh?

It’s not until she meets Tallulah Flare (with messy hair), does Frankie even consider joining in with her classmates. But even then, fear of failing restrains her. Tallulah is unflappable though, explaining Oopsy Lohs – what she calls it when things don’t quite go as expected, showing Frankie that it’s not the end of the world if things aren’t always perfect!

In a world driven by supposed perfection, Magic Mistakes is a perfect way to show children (and parents), that mistakes are essential for us all to experience the magical process of learning – whether we are drawing a duck, meeting a new friend or just being ourselves. Mistakes aren’t the enemy, being scared to make them is!

Making and accepting these mistakes builds resilience in children, but we as adults must also model the behaviour we are trying to teach – No frowns or kerfuffle from us at spills, squiggles or splashes. Children need assurance, confident encouragement and kindness at perceived ‘errors’. These are all learning opportunities which will enable them to reach for their true potential.

Author – Belinda Blecher

Illustrator – Lisa Allen

Picture Book

(Resilience, Self esteem, Confidence, Mistakes, Courage, Anxiety, School, Friends, Kiwi Illustrator, Pyjama Foundation)