The first mistake is made as soon an unseen artist begins drawing a human head. That second eye is just too big. But the artist keeps drawing rather than starting over or erasing. She embellishes instead, and with each addition her image transforms into something more expansive. There are more mistakes, but they are clearly opportunities in the eyes and hands of the young artist. Her drawing becomes a wordless story full of surprise and whimsy. “Do you see / how with each mistake / she is becoming? / Do you see now / who she could be?” Fresh in both concept and resolution, this funny, provocative book will appeal to visual learners and to those who like to pore over illustrations. (Ages 7-11)

Zoom meets Beautiful Oops! in this memorable picture book debut about the creative process, and the way in which "mistakes" can blossom into inspiration

One eye was bigger than the other.  That was a mistake.
The weird  frog-cat-cow thing? It made an excellent bush.
And the inky smudges… they look as if they were always meant to be leaves floating gently across the sky.

As one artist incorporates accidental splotches, spots, and misshapen things into her art, she transforms her piece in quirky and unexpected ways, taking readers on a journey through her process. Told in minimal, playful text, this story shows readers that even the biggest “mistakes” can be the source of the brightest ideas—and that, at the end of the day, we are all works in progress, too.

Fans of Peter Reynolds’s Ish and Patrick McDonnell’s A Perfectly Messed-Up Story will love the funny, poignant, completely unique storytelling of The Book of Mistakes. And, like Oh, The Places You’ll Go!, it makes the perfect graduation gift, encouraging readers to have a positive outlook as they learn to face life’s obstacles.