The Greatest Mistakes That Went Right
What’s inside...
Where would we be without big blunders? From Play Doh to penicillin, the Slinky to the Granny Smith apple, some of the best inventions started out as gigantic slip-ups. From exciting new team Maddy Mara and Cheryl Orsini comes a blooper reel with amazing consequences and a reminder to all kids scared of trying something new: even the greatest mistakes can go right.
Age
8-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Discussion points
What was one mistake in the book that surprised you the most, and why?
How do you think the mistakes led to unexpected positive outcomes?
Can you think of a time when a mistake turned out to be something good in your life?
Why do you think it's important to keep trying even if things don't go as planned?
How do you feel about making mistakes now after reading this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Share a personal story about a mistake you made that had a positive outcome, relating it to a story from the book to make the connection stronger.
Encourage your child to think critically by asking them what they would have done differently in a similar mistake scenario presented in the book.
After discussing each mistake in the book, ask your child to draw or write about what they learned from that story, reinforcing the lesson and encouraging creativity.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and insights, reinforcing their open-mindedness and willingness to learn from errors.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Mistakes
Explanation: The book highlights various historical and scientific mistakes that ultimately led to great discoveries and innovations, teaching children that errors can lead to unforeseen success.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to view challenges in schoolwork and daily activities as opportunities for creativity and unexpected outcomes, rather than fearing failure.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Through numerous stories in the book, the theme of persistence emerges, as many figures continued working on their projects despite setbacks.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of perseverance in achieving goals, whether it be in completing a difficult school project or mastering a new skill in a sport or hobby.
Example Lesson: Open-mindedness
Explanation: The book celebrates unconventional thinking that led some 'mistakes' to become revolutionary breakthroughs, thereby promoting the importance of looking at situations from different angles.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to think creatively and be receptive to new ideas, which can be helpful in group work at school and in understanding different perspectives.
Example Lesson: Learning from History
Explanation: Providing real-life historical examples, the book showcases how lessons from the past can inform future successes.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to pay attention to historical events and learn from them, helping them to apply historical knowledge to their own life decisions and critical thinking.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: Each story invites readers to analyze why each mistake occurred and how it turned into a success, fostering an environment of inquiry and analysis.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically about cause and effect, an essential skill in problem-solving tasks at school and in everyday decisions.