The Book of Mistakes, Corinna Luyken
The Book of Mistakes, Corinna Luyken
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The Book of Mistakes

Author: Corinna Luyken

Narrator: Caroline Slaughter

Unabridged: 2 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 07/20/2021


Synopsis

Zoom meets Beautiful Oops! in this memorable 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 listeners on a journey through her process. Told in minimal, playful lines, 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 listeners to have a positive outlook as they learn to face life’s obstacles.

About The Author

Corinna Luyken grew up in different cities along the West Coast, and after studying at Middlebury College, she settled in Washington State, where she draws inspiration from nature, her family, and the human form. She got the idea for The Book of Mistakes by doing art activities with children in schools. This is her debut book.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Dave on March 03, 2019

Each year my family reads all the Goodreads-award-nominated picture books, and we have been doing this for years. Everyone rates each book and adds a comment and it may (or may not) affect my overall rating. This is book #5 of 2017. Tara: (5 stars). Steam punky. My favorite so far this year. Harry (12......more

Goodreads review by Jon on January 04, 2018

Fantastic lesson here - even mistakes can lead to creativity! Young children will be encouraged by the creative ways the artist/writer finds to 'fix' mistakes.......more

Goodreads review by Raina on November 08, 2017

SO GORGEOUS. And local! Hopefully, she uses our libraries! This isn't right for storytime, bc the illustrations are too detailed for a large group share, but srsly pick it up to read yourself. So fresh and stunning.......more


Quotes

“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