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The Book of Mistakes

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A picture book 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 readers on a journey through her process.

56 pages, Hardcover

First published April 18, 2017

43 people are currently reading
6073 people want to read

About the author

Corinna Luyken

13 books176 followers
Corinna Luyken is the author-illustrator of the New York Times Best Seller, MY HEART, as well as THE ARGUERS (Spring 2025); ABC AND YOU AND ME (A Dolly Parton Imagination Library selection); THE TREE IN ME (an NCTE Notable Poetry Book and Indie Bestseller); and THE BOOK OF MISTAKES (which The Wall Street Journal called “sublime”). She is also the illustrator of many award winning picture books including IN THE DARK (A Marginalian Best Book of 2023) written by Kate Hoefler; PATCHWORK (A New York Times and Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2022), written by Matt de la Peña; and ADRIAN SIMCOX DOES NOT HAVE A HORSE (A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard and Comstock-Gag Read Aloud Book Award) written by Marcy Campbell.

She was raised in Oregon, California, and Hawaii; and studied dance improvisation, poetry, and printmaking at Middlebury College in Vermont. Her work is rooted in improvisation and explores themes of connection, perception, and misperception.

She lives in Western Washington, near the Salish Sea, where she also likes to dig in the dirt, surf, and read with a cat (or two) on her lap. You can see more of her work at www.corinnaluyken.com

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5 stars
2,210 (47%)
4 stars
1,555 (33%)
3 stars
651 (14%)
2 stars
162 (3%)
1 star
59 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 834 reviews
Profile Image for Dave Schaafsma.
Author 6 books32.1k followers
March 3, 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): (4 stars). All of these mistakes opened up into new possibilities.
Hank (11): (3.5 stars).
Lyra (10): (4.75 stars). All the mistakes along the way helped make the drawing/painting better in many ways. Sooooo beautiful!
Dave: (5 stars). One of the very best of the maybe fifteen nominees I have thus far read. Maybe the very best.

"Do you see how with each mistake she is becoming?"

Mistakes as opening possibilities, for art, for human growth. Sweet, minimal art, with lots of white space for reflection, for focus on single images (and blotches or other "mistakes"). Wonderful pen and ink and watercolor illustrations heading to a kind of steampunk explosion of inventions in an ever-expanding tree. Elegant language, in words and images.
Profile Image for Dream.M.
965 reviews573 followers
July 14, 2024
داستان فوق العاده خلاقانه اس و پیام خیلی مثبت و قشنگی هم داره. قرار نیست وقتی اشتباهی میکنیم بشینیم براش زار بزنیم یا خودمونو گول بزنیم و تقصیرو بندازیم گردن بقیه. میتونیم یجور متفاوتی درستش کنیم (گاهی وقتا)
خب بچه ها در همین حد هم یادبگیرن خوبه دیگه :)
Profile Image for Shaghayegh.
181 reviews350 followers
February 9, 2024
واقفم که میشه اشتباهات رو تا حدودی جبران و ماستمالی کرد منتهی این فقط یه بعد قضیه‌ست. ای کاش در حد ملایم نشون میداد که از هر اشتباهی نمیشه به نتیجه نهایی‌ای که در پایان کتاب در نظر گرفته رسید. (اگه به من بود تبدیل به کابوس بچه‌ها می‌شد!)
Profile Image for Maede.
479 reviews705 followers
July 14, 2024

همه چیز از یه اشتباه شروع شد. اما میشه درستش کرد؟

:من در ۵ دقیقه‌‌ی خوندن این کتاب
دقیقه اول: خب؟
دقیقه دوم: هوم، اکی، خب؟
دقیقه سوم: چی شد؟ آهان کتاب راجع به فرصت اصلاح اشتباهاته
دقیقه چهارم: شایدم راجع به نگاه متفاوت به اشتباهه
دقیقه پنجم: وااااات!!!! چه خفن

نگاه متفاوتش به اشتباه رو دوست داشتم و بیشتر فکر می‌کنم به جای اصلاح اشتباه، داره در مورد منعطف بودن و نگاه متفاوت بهش صحبت می‌کنه. تو زندگی من هم اینجوری بوده که گاهی اشتباهاتم بعد از چند سال شبیه عکس آخر شده. اما گاهی هم فقط مثل 🐸🐱🐮 روی کاغذ زندگیم مونده

کتاب رو می‌تونید از اینجا دانلود کنید
Maede's Books

۱۴۰۳/۴/۲۱
Profile Image for Jon Nakapalau.
6,356 reviews967 followers
January 4, 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.
Profile Image for Kelli.
927 reviews444 followers
May 22, 2017
My son is past the age of simple picture books, but he enjoys the snuggle/reading time with me, so I try to choose wisely. This book is beautiful and inspiring. I love everything about the message...one we all could do well to remember: mistakes happen to everyone and some amazing things start out as mistakes. My son said several times "This is a good book." Imagination and creativity at work show the little ones what a mistake can become. 5 stars
Profile Image for Sara.
1,755 reviews541 followers
July 15, 2024
کاری که تو کل کتاب داشت برا انتقال مفهوم مورد نظرش ازش استفاده میکرد، دقیقا کاریه که نقاشی کردنی انجام میدم و به طور غیرمنتظره ای اکثرا نتیجه خوب میده. حالا یه سری وقت ها هم فاجعه میشه ها.
متعاقبا همین هم برا هدف اصلی‌ترش میشه به کار برد: یه سری اشتباهات رو اوکیه انجام بدی و میشه جمعش کرد ولی خب باید بدونی یه سری هم هست که نمیشه. برا بچه یکم سن بالاتر، خودش این یکی استنتاج رو می‌کنه چون میاد میگه خب مثلا اگه فلان میشد دیگه نمیشد جمعش کرد.
Profile Image for Dolly.
Author 1 book668 followers
November 24, 2017
Wow.

This book celebrates improvisation and imagination. It shows how simple improvised changes can transform artwork 'mistakes' into something that is purposeful and even beautiful. The transformation of the artwork is so subtle at first, but becomes majestic and awe-inspiring by the end.

The illustrations, created using black ink, colored pencils, and watercolor, are simply fantastic and I know that I could spend several minutes looking at almost any individual page and still find something new to amaze me.

I loved this book - and even though our girls are far beyond the age at which they would gravitate to picture books - I asked them to read it with me. Our youngest was far less inspired than I was, but our oldest daughter really liked it.

I'm not sure how younger children will react, but this seems to be a book that is destined to be beloved by adults. I have read this book several times in the last couple of days alone.

I don't often give 5-star ratings to books, and it just so happens that I have given two of them in the last week. Both are books are nominees in the final round of the best picture book category for the Goodreads Choice Awards for 2017. Certainly the field is competitive this year, and I look forward to seeing the results.

"Set your imagination free."
Profile Image for Raina.
1,701 reviews159 followers
November 9, 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.
Profile Image for Danielle.
Author 2 books264 followers
March 7, 2017
Gorgeous illustrations in an extra large format with lots of white space. This tells a poetic story of mistakes leading to magic, as they sometimes do in the creative process.
Profile Image for Georgia.
1,287 reviews74 followers
October 31, 2019
Δείτε επίσης και στο Chill and read

Όλοι κάνουμε λάθη. Το βασικό είναι να μάθουμε να τα διορθώνουμε. Να προσπαθούμε να βγάλουμε κάτι καλό από αυτά. Να μάθουμε κάτι παραπάνω, ή να προσπαθήσουμε να τα διορθώσουμε. Γιατί τα λάθη είναι ανθρώπινα. Κάτι τέτοιο θέλει να μας πει και η Corinna Luyken με το βιβλίο της με τίτλο «Το βιβλίο με τα λάθη», που κυκλοφορεί από το Φουρφούρι.

Ένα κορίτσι ξεκινάει να ζωγραφίσει ένα κορίτσι. Όμως κάνει ένα λάθος στο σχεδιασμό των ματιών. Ευτυχώς γρήγορα το διορθώνει βάζοντας γυαλιά και συνεχίζει. Παρακάτω κάνει κι άλλο λάθος με τα μαλλιά. Ευτυχώς το διορθώνει βάζοντας ένα σκουφί. Ξεκινάει να φτιάχνει το σώμα, όμως ο λαιμός είναι μεγάλος. Τον κρύβει με ένα δαντελωτό γιακά. Και υπάρχουν και κάποια μικρά λαθάκια στους αγκώνες, ευτυχώς όμως κι αυτά διορθώνονται φτιάχνοντας μπαλώματα. Σιγά σιγά, σχεδιάζοντας και διορθώνοντας, δημιουργείται μια πανέμορφη ζωγραφιά.

Το βασικό είναι να τολμήσεις να κάνεις την αρχή και να δοκιμάσεις. Αν δεν πετύχει, προσπάθησε να το διορθώσεις. Μην τα παρατήσεις. Μη στενοχωρηθείς και πεις ότι δεν μπορείς να το κάνεις. Δοκίμασε να το διορθώσεις και ένα σωρό πιθανότητες θα ανοιχτούν μπροστά σου. Αυτό προτρέπει τα παιδιά να κάνουν «Το βιβλίο με τα λάθη». Είναι ανθρώπινο να προσπαθήσεις και είναι απολύτως ανθρώπινο να κάνεις λάθος. Αυτό που έχει σημασία είναι να προσπαθήσεις να διορθώσεις το λάθος σου, χωρίς να αφήσεις κανέναν και τίποτα να σε πτοήσει. Να αναγνωρίσεις το λάθος και να πεις ότι μπορείς να το διορθώσεις. Να έχεις τη θέληση. Άλλωστε, μέσα από τα λάθη μαθαίνουμε. Αυτά είναι που μας κάνουν καλύτερους, γιατί βλέπουμε τι δεν κάνουμε σωστά και ψάχνουμε να βρούμε τρόπους για να το διορθώσουμε. Ό,τι κι αν είναι αυτό.

Άφησε τη φαντασία σου ελεύθερη και δημιούργησε κόσμους από το τίποτα, από ένα άδειο φύλο χαρτί. Άλλωστε η τέχνη δεν έχει στενά όρια και αυστηρούς κανόνες. Είναι αρκετά ελεύθερη ώστε να αφήνει χώρο για τη φαντασία και τη δημιουργία. Ξεκινώντας από το πιο απλό πράγμα, όπως ένα πρόσωπο ή ένα κορίτσι, μπορεί να χτίσεις ένα ολόκληρο δέντρο ή μια πόλη ή τη γη ολόκληρη αν προτιμάς, μέσα από τα δικά σου μάτια. Εκφράσου και μην περιορίζεσαι και τότε θα μεγαλουργήσεις. Κι αν αυτό που θα φτιάξεις δεν είναι αριστούργημα που μπορεί να βραβευτεί, δεν έχει σημασία. Σημασία έχει ότι προσπάθησες, ότι έδωσες τον καλύτερό σου εαυτό και αυτό που έφτιαξες είναι δικό σου, εκφράζει εσένα!

«Το βιβλίο με τα λάθη» λέει στα παιδιά ότι δεν πειράζει να κάνουν λάθη, γιατί μπορούν να τα διορθώσουν και να έχουν ένα αποτέλεσμα καλύτερο ακόμα κι από αυτό που φαντάζονταν στην αρχή. Τα προτρέπει να αφήσουν τη φαντασία τους ελεύθερη κα�� να δημιουργήσουν.
Profile Image for Moonkiszt.
2,920 reviews335 followers
December 31, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.

So many mistakes are labeled as such and left abandoned. Bereft. Alone. Never again approached.

This little nugget of a book takes that false notion and shakes the hell out of it. A mistake is a diversion from someone's plan, merely, and while its parameters may not be within spec of the original plan, is just another version of it. A different opportunity, an origin all its own, a central idea rather than an ancillary one. A surprise within a surprise within a surprise!

The artwork on this especially underscores the author's bold point. We all loved this book, as we are an unconventional tribe, and love all celebrations of thinking in a different direction.
Profile Image for Marie.
143 reviews51 followers
November 25, 2017
This is an artistic book where continued mistakes in the artwork lead to changes and elaborations of the beautiful fun artwork that is developing. The message of this book is to not let mistakes frustrate you or set you back. Mistakes could lead to discovering beautiful unique ideas or expressions. Learn from and explore your mistakes! This is a beautifully illustrated book sure to inspire young artists everywhere!
Profile Image for madame Gabrielle.
749 reviews628 followers
September 2, 2021
quelle belle manière originale de rappeler à nos élèves combien les erreurs peuvent être belles, enrichissantes et combien elles peuvent mener loin!
Profile Image for Diana.
221 reviews31 followers
July 17, 2024
من از وقتی فهمیدم تصمیم‌گیری چیه، فقط اشتباه کردم. مثلا کلاس چهارم چنان کار وحشتناکی کردم که فکرمی‌کردم بعدش زنده نمی‌مونم. دبیرستان آروم‌ترین بازه‌ی زمانی رو گذروندم؛ درواقع می‌تونستم یه جنایت هم اون‌جا انجام بدم ولی قبل از هراتفاقی، تعطیل شدیم و کهکشان راه شیری از دست من نجات پیدا کرد.
دهم و یازدهم فکرمی‌کردم خیلی باهوشم و همیشه همین‌قدر متمدن و باملاحظه باقی می‌مونم. اما امسال با انجام دو کار هولناک، رکورد زدم و فهمیدم شاید هرچی بزرگ‌تر می‌شم خنگ‌تر می‌شم. احتمالا وقتی سی‌سالم شه مجبور شم دوباره از اول برم مدرسه.
به‌هرحال، متاسفانه هیچ‌وقت دستگیر نشدم و به زندان مخفی‌ای توی کوه‌ها برده نشدم، برای شام آب‌خنک نخوردم و سنگ خرد نکردم(اینا کارهایی‌ان که زندانی‌های کوه مخفی انجام می‌دن)

این رو حدود دوماه پیش نوشتم و حالا فکرمی‌کنم احتمالا هيچ‌کدوم از اون‌ها اشتباه نبودن. و کارهایی که انجام دادم، به‌هیچ‌وجه هولناک نبودن.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
12.5k reviews478 followers
December 2, 2017
Charming, original, and both accessible and *L*iterary. For all ages. Caldecott-worthy. Purchase-worthy.

Whether in your art or in your life, what are the mistakes that inspired the most growth in you??
Profile Image for Lex’s Library.
450 reviews46 followers
May 15, 2022
[REVIEW]

The illustrations? LOVED IT! The moral of the story? LOVED IT! The story itself? I LOVED IT!!!

In a world where perfection is ingrained into children’s brains, The Book of Mistakes counters this way of thinking. Mistakes often are seen as something to be ashamed of, but in this book, mistakes are shown to spark creativity and problem solving. They add touches that might’ve not been made/discovered had the artist had painted the picture perfectly. And in the end, all of the mistakes ended up making the art more beautiful! The Book of Mistakes is a wonderful story that teaches readers to celebrate and use accidents/mistakes to their advantage! I truly believe teachers, parents, and children alike can get a lot out of The Book of Mistakes!
Profile Image for Zaz.
1,904 reviews59 followers
November 9, 2017
It was an unusual picture book. I really enjoyed to see the images evolve from something simple, or a mistake, to a complex illustration. It was the strong point of the read as the book lacked a true narrative story. Anyway, the message behind it was interesting. I'm not sure it's a good picture books for small kids, but older ones should appreciate it, especially if they like drawing.
Profile Image for Kate.
2,213 reviews78 followers
February 5, 2017
A beautiful children's book that shows how mistakes help make us who we are. Gorgeous illustrations and a message that we all need to hear- mistakes can lead to something beautiful!
Profile Image for Isobel.
381 reviews
October 6, 2020
I adored this book it is full of imaginative and unusually bright and dark illustrations that will help children to capture an important message; that it is okay to make mistakes occasionally and we should not be ashamed but instead make amends. I would use this book in a KS2 PSHE lesson to help children not feel anxious about making mistakes during art lessons or any areas of the curriculum. I would also use the book as a stimulus to increase their imagination, which could be used for their English story writing, their writing and illustrations could follow the format of the book to create an exciting and imaginative piece of writing.
Profile Image for nazanin.
215 reviews17 followers
December 30, 2024
تصویر به نوشته قالبه ولی بهرحال داستانه و پیام مثبت رو بدون شعار منتقل میکنه. خیلیم تمیز و خلاقه

همچنین: واقعا حسودیم میشه به تصویرسازیای آزادو شجاع -_-
Profile Image for Karina.
Author 20 books1,076 followers
May 12, 2017
As the mom to two kids who get frustrated when they draw because their pictures don't look they want them to, this book is a sweet gem about how to transform "mistakes" into beauty and creative spaces. I loved it!
Profile Image for Ashley Adams.
1,323 reviews44 followers
February 20, 2022
Honor your mistakes as hidden intentions, and enjoy the adventures you couldn't have anticipated.

In a lot of ways this book reminds me of all the things Bob Ross would say on The Joy of Painting. I absolutely love this.
Profile Image for itselv:#&309;.
655 reviews304 followers
Read
July 22, 2023

أحيانًا لا تصنع الأخطاء نهاية العالم، أحيانًا يُنتج الخطأ لوحة غاية في الجمال والإبداع. هذا الكتاب هو دعوة للخروج عن المألوف، وللتوقف عن الذعر عن الأخطاء التي، في الحقيقة، ليست تؤثر سلبًا أبدًا.

Profile Image for Clarabel.
3,754 reviews59 followers
December 30, 2019
On ne soupçonne pas le potentiel de ce MAGNIFIQUE album !

Tout commence par une erreur... un tache d'encre, un œil mal dessiné, puis rattrapé, et ainsi de suite. C'est comme mettre le lecteur dans la confidence, l'inviter dans les coulisses de la création, comment inventer une histoire, comment illustrer cette histoire, envers et contre tout. Comment on rebondit d'un cou trop long, d'un coude trop pointu, d'une jambe trop longue, d'un chat qui ressemble à une vache ou d'un buisson trop foncé...

Quelle ingénieuse idée de proposer au lecteur de se pencher sur les petits riens, les détails, les loupés, les raccommodages d'une œuvre en mouvement ! C'est très, très beau. On tombe sous le charme, car le reste de l'histoire n'en finit plus de s'épanouir et de surprendre, toujours et encore, et la boucle tourne sur elle-même. Fantastique ! Cette ode à l'imagination est une prouesse de chaque instant, chaque indice compte, c'est formidable !
Profile Image for Care.
1,639 reviews97 followers
April 24, 2019
A cute story that shows how mistakes help us grow, help us become ourselves.
Profile Image for Anna Lawrence.
56 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2018
I read this out loud and had trouble not getting choked up. Stunning.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 834 reviews

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