Oopses on the Page: A Content Analysis of Children's Picturebooks Featuring Mistakes

Making mistakes and receiving feedback are crucial elements of learning. Reading picturebooks with young children can help shape their perceptions of mistakes and model adaptive responses they can emulate, both in the short term and for years to come. This content analysis identified and analyzed the story characteristics of 25 recently published and widely available picturebooks with mistake-related narratives. Findings include frequencies and descriptions of characters, plot, setting, and a host of other story attributes. Overall, messaging in these books was optimistic--emphasizing responsibility, growth, and acceptance--and making mistakes ultimately led to positive outcomes. Such stories are promising resources for the development of growth mindsets in young children. Teachers and caregivers can use these picturebooks to help children develop positive perceptions of mistakes and learn healthy ways to navigate them in their day-to-day lives.