Petunia the Perfectionist
Listed as one of the Best Books of 2024 by Publisher's Weekly BookLife.
Did you know that every time we make a mistake, our brains grow?
Petunia does not like to make mistakes. In fact, she'll do just about anything to avoid making one. So instead of enjoying her jam sessions on her guitar, Petunia practices 'til her fingers ache. And rather than creating art with her crayons, she spends her time color-coding them instead.
Petunia's so busy trying to be perfect, there's no time left in her life for being creative or having any fun!
Though Petunia's mom often reminds her that mistakes are important because they help us learn and grow, Petunia's not convinced. That is until she makes a mistake that inspires everyone...even herself.
Will Petunia finally understand that it's okay to make mistakes, and begin to accept herself for who she is - imperfections and all?
This book is PERFECT for perfectionists (children and grown-ups!) and belongs in classrooms, libraries, and every child's bookshelf.
Why readers will love Petunia the Perfectionist...
- Promotes Growth Mindset. Teaches children to view mistake-making as an opportunity for growth and life-long learning.
- Encourages Flexible Thinking. Helps children move from rigid, fixed beliefs about making mistakes to more flexible and positive ones; for instance, "People won't accept/like/love me if I make a mistake," to "Everyone makes mistakes, and I don't think less of others when they do."
- Boosts Self-Compassion. Illustrates the importance of offering ourselves the same respect, grace, and kindness we'd extend to others if they made a mistake or faced a challenge.
- Builds Resilience. Emphasizes the idea that we learn from our mistakes, which, in turn, helps build confidence and resilience, and gives us the courage to try again or even create something new from our error.
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Editorial Reviews
"...In Bader's picture book, a new nickname invites a new perspective...Petunia is a little girl who believes that everything has its proper place and that anything done less than perfectly is unacceptable...The images of Petunia's fastidiously organized coloring pencils and books in Beykzadeh's illustrations highlight her perfectionism and the book's warm color palette...Playing a wrong note strikes the right chord for a determined little girl in this winning children's story." - Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
"Petunia the Perfectionist is a delightful children's book that addresses the important themes of self-acceptance and the value of imperfection... With adorable, colorful illustrations and a relatable protagonist, this book is sure to resonate with young readers and help them develop a more positive attitude toward imperfection. The gentle and reassuring tone of the narration makes it an excellent tool for parents and educators to help kids develop a positive self-image and a growth mindset, celebrating the beauty of imperfection along the way." -- Reader's Favorite 5-Star review
"The book offers a crucial lesson for both children and adults: it's okay not to be perfect. Embracing our mistakes helps us grow and improve... Marissa Bader's story also highlights the importance of self-compassion. While Petunia shows great compassion towards others, she struggles to extend the same kindness to herself. This narrative teaches readers that self-compassion is just as vital as the compassion we offer others, a lesson Petunia must learn to truly grow... Petunia the Perfectionist is a heartwarming and educational read, perfectly suited for children aged 5-8." -- Literary Titan, 5-Star Review
