Picture Books for Teaching Growth Mindset
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Jan 3, 2024
Picture books for teaching growth mindset
As classroom teachers, we all know how important it is to encourage a growth mindset with our learners. After all, studies have shown that students who have this mindset accept and learn from failure and put forth maximum effort – and isn’t this exactly what we are looking for in our learners? In this post I share some of my favorite picture books for teaching growth mindset in upper elementary and middle school.
I have found that my older students enjoy these engaging stories as much as younger students do, and they make a great “hook” at the start of a lesson.
Affiliate links are included in this post for your shopping convenience. If you choose to order any of these diverse picture books through these links, Amazon will provide me with a small kickback (at no additional cost to you) that I will put toward the costs of keeping this blog up and running.
To delve deeper into this topic and discover actionable strategies, don’t miss our guide on 5 Ways to Nurture a Growth Mindset, which offers additional insights and practical tips for educators.
What do you do with a chance By Kobi Yamada
In this beautiful story, a young child is visited by his first chance. Because he is unsure what to do with it, he ends up letting it go. When another chance presents itself, he decides to reach for it, but ends up falling instead. Overcome with fear, he decides he never wants to feel so foolish again, and starts ignoring the chances when they present themselves. Only when the chances start to disappear does he realize that he must overcome his fears, learning that taking chances can lead to incredible experiences.
This is a truly beautiful story about having the courage to try again. It makes for great classroom discussions about perseverance after failure.
Pick up a copy of this story on Amazon by clicking here.
After the Fall by Dan Santat
This retelling of the classic “Humpty Dumpty” tale is one of my very favorites. The story picks up after Humpty has recovered from his fall from the wall.
As an avid birdwatcher, Humpty now struggles with visiting his favorite viewing spot on the wall. Since his tragic accident, he is now afraid of heights. Through courage, Humpty learns to face his fears and embrace his true self.
This story has a beautiful ending that students both love and connect to. The underlying themes of resilience, anxiety, and “putting oneself together again” make it an excellent addition to any list of picture books for teaching growth mindset.
Looking for a complete interactive read aloud to go along with this story? Grab my After The Fall unit on Teachers Pay Teachers by clicking here or on the image below.
Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
Even though he is pretty sure he is ready to jump off the diving board, Jabari is hesitant when he reaches the top. Through courage (and his father’s gentle encouragement), Jabari learns to conquer his fears and make the leap.
A great addition to your growth mindset picture book library, this true-to-life story is easy for students to connect to and empathize with.
Order the book on Amazon by clicking here.
The Bad Seed by Jory JoHN
This fun story by Jory Jon is one of my very favorite picture books for teaching growth mindset. The story revolves around a Bad Seed. He is a grouchy character, with a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. Sadly, his past circumstances shaped him into the angry character he outwardly presents. As the story progresses, he learns that the power to change is in hands, and although it is hard, he works to be a better seed.
Jory John is one of my favorite picture book authors, and this one does not disappoint. It is one of my all time favorite picture books for teaching growth mindset. There is a lot to unpack here for class discussions – the negative effects of bullying, the importance and value of self reflection, and the impact of self-fulfilling prophesies.
Snag a copy on Amazon by clicking here.
Looking for a complete unit to use along with this story? Grab my complete Interactive Read Aloud for The Bad Seed by clicking here or on the image below.
Flight School By Lita Judge
Although his little body is not designed for flight, Penguin dreams of flying with the seagulls. Through hard work, perseverance, and ingenuity, Penguin finds a way to make his dreams come true.
This fun story encourages students to think outside the box and discover new ways to solve problems that seem daunting. It makes an excellent addition to your collection of picture books for teaching growth mindset.
Pick up a copy on Amazon by clicking here.
Everyone can learn to ride a bicycle by Chris Raschka
The struggles and triumphs of learning to ride a bike are things that most students can immediately relate to. This story follows a youngster as they work through the process – complete with frustration, self doubt, persistence, and elation.
As many students can connect to the events of this story, it makes for a great discussion about the importance of persevering when faced with challenges.
Grab a copy of this sweet story to add to your collection of picture books for teaching growth mindset on Amazon by clicking here.
I Can’t Do that Yet By Esther Pia Cordova
In her dreams, young Enna is faced with a variety of different potential versions of herself. Through seeing all of the things her future self has learned to do, Enna discovers that she can reach any goal through dedication and hard work.
This is a beautiful story about living life to the fullest, and the value of pursuing dreams that sometimes seem a bit too “big” to actually accomplish.
Grab a copy of this picture book on Amazon by clicking here.
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes BY Mark Pett
Beatrice Bottomwell, the main character of this engaging story, is a girl who never makes mistakes. One day, however, her streak is broken when she drops some eggs. Haunted by the fear of making another mistake, Beatrice starts to limit her activities. When something unexpected happens at the school talent show, however, Beatrice learns that life can be a whole lot more enjoyable when you embrace your mistakes along with your successes.
As mother to a daughter who struggles with perfectionism, this story hit especially close to home. It is high on my list of favorite picture books for teaching growth mindset. It is a great story to share with young readers to help them understand that failures are all part of the process, and that is ok to make mistakes sometimes.
Pick up a copy of this story on Amazon by clicking here.
For educators seeking to broaden their library further, especially to engage middle schoolers who might be hesitant readers, our list of 5 Must-Read Books for Inspiring Reluctant Middle School Readers can be an invaluable resource.
To further enhance your students’ understanding and engagement with these stories, consider incorporating our Building Reading Comprehension Strategies into your lessons. This resource is designed to strengthen comprehension skills, ensuring students fully grasp the growth mindset concepts presented in these books.
Looking for more resources to teach Growth Mindset in your classroom?
Grab all of the resources featured in this post for FREE by clicking here or on the image below. This FREE Growth Mindset Interactive Notebook contains reading passages, student notes, interactive foldables, and more. Everything is prepped and ready to teach, saving you valuable planning time!
Looking for additional information on teaching Growth Mindset?
Check out these posts!
Creative Ways to Nurture Growth Mindset in the Classroom
Encouraging a Growth Mindset in Middle School
Free Resources to Encourage a Growth Mindset
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