List of Read Alouds for Teaching Growth Mindset
Before growth mindset was cool, I was teaching my students about PERSEVERANCE. For years, I instilled the message that “I expected nothing less than their personal best” in my students. Fast forward a decade, and I still teach social emotional learning topics like Perseverance and Goal Setting during my morning meetings, but I now have the language of Growth Mindset to enhance those messages. Reading aloud inspiring, thoughtful picture books is one of the main ways I teach my students about having a growth mindset.
I think I fell in love with teaching students about Growth Mindset because the whole concept is based on brain research. This research gives us the tools to teach our students about how the brain works and the scientific processes of learning and improving ourselves.
I’ve put together a list of some of the best picture books for teaching the concepts of growth mindset. These picture books focus on what it means to have a growth mindset, show characters who overcome challenges and “fixed” mindsets, and support me as I hope to help my students develop their own growth mindsets. These books are perfect mentor texts to read aloud in order to spark engaging discussions and teach your students about growth mindsets.
PICTURE BOOKS TO TEACH ABOUT GROWTH MINDSET AND HOW THE BRAIN WORKS
(Note: I’ve included Amazon affiliate links so that you can easily find these books! As a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, I may earn advertising fees at no cost to you by linking to amazon.com. Read my full disclosure here. )
1) Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak
This book is a must-have when teaching children about growth mindset. JoAnn Deak does an amazing job of explaining that our brains are not set in a fixed state. Instead, our brains have the ability to stretch, grow, and change based on experiences we give it, obstacles we overcome, and the mistakes we make. This book is a fun and engaging introduction to how the brain works and how one can always be working to stretch and grow it for the better!
2) Thanks for the Feedback, I think by Julia Cook
Julia Cook has a gift when it comes to crafting stories and mantras that children can relate to and will want to read again and again. In Thanks for the Feedback, RJ, one of the main characters in several of Cook’s books, struggles to respond positively when given any kind of feedback, whether it be compliments or constructive criticism. Students will love hearing the “pickles” RJ gets himself into before he learns some key social etiquette. With the help of his parents and teacher, RJ is able to learn how to graciously accept positive and negative feedback and respond appropriately—a very important skill for developing a mind set to grow and improve!
3) Making a Splash: a Growth Mindset Children’s Book by Carol E. Reiley
This book does a fantastic job of illustrating the idea that our current ability actually has little to do with our future success. Rather, our “fixed” mindsets hold us back while our “growth” mindsets enable us to improve and accomplish new things. Children (and even some adults) see intelligence, talents, and ability as something we are either born with or we aren’t. Making a Splash is the perfect book for dispelling that misconception! (And if you don’t believe this yourself, tons of research studies back up the idea that skills, talents, and IQ are malleable!)
4) The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett
I’ve always had a student or two each year who is a perfectionist, so much so that he or she is reluctant to take risks unless success is almost guaranteed. This book was written for those students! Beatrice, is a full-fledged Type A people pleaser who has built up a reputation for never making mistakes. When she finally makes one, she learns how to own them graciously and realizes that always doing things perfectly is not as important as she once thought.
5) Hello Brain? A Book about Talking to Your Brain by Clarissa Johnson
Hello Brain? consists of six stories about challenges that arise in everyday settings with the goal of teaching us how to respond using positive self-talk and a growth mindset. This book is an excellent read aloud to model the language students can use to stimulate their growth mindset and serves as a very natural discussion starter about the importance of monitoring how we talk to ourselves and how that language can positively or negatively impact our emotions.
6) When Sophie Thinks She Can’t… by Molly Bang
While struggling to solve a math problem, Sophie and her classmates are taught “the most important word—YET.” Sophie and her friends learn that struggling often means their brains are growing and getting smarter. Instead of shutting down, students must continue to believe in themselves, be open to support, and not give up in order to be successful. This book is perfect for students who constantly doubt their ability to do something and therefore become their own worst enemy. It also capitalizes on the true meaning of learning—that we once didn’t know how to do or understand something, but now we do.
7) The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
Vashti struggles to participate in art class because she claims that she “can’t draw.” With gentle encouragement from her art teacher, Vashti is taken on a journey of self discovery and realizes that a creative spirit was inside of her all along. The Dot sends a beautiful message to children—sometimes it’s just about taking the first step, even when you’re confident you’ll fall. Be sure to discuss how believing in “the power of yet” helps us learn new things and believe in ourselves!
8) Bubble Gum Brain by Julia Cook
Bubble Gum Brain is THE perfect analogy for children to grasp such an intangible concept like growth mindset. The book compares a person with a “bubble gum brain” (having the ability to stretch, expand, and bend) with a person who has a “brick brain” (unchanging and inflexible). Cook shows two characters trying new things side by side so that readers can see the stark differences in their reactions and ways of thinking when they approach new experiences and come across obstacles. Once “brick brain” starts to realize that his way of thinking is not working for him, the person with the bubble gum brain helps him “unwrap the wrapper” and begin bending, stretching, and growing. Bubble Gum Brain does a great job of modeling the kinds of inner thoughts of someone with a healthy growth mindset while coaxing and encouraging those that are still developing one!
9) Not Yet by Lisa Coz and Lori Hockema
As Lorisa moves through her day at home and school making many mistakes and experiencing frustrating tasks that she is just not able to do independently or perfectly yet, she shows readers how to navigate through mistakes and disappointments with a positive attitude and a fantastic growth mindset. This book is a must-read for students who struggle with remaining perseverant in the face of defeat!
10) I Can’t Do That, Yet by Esther Pia Cordova
This book shows the subtle but important distinction between “I can’t do that” and “I can’t do that, YET.” Enna frequently finds herself getting frustrated and saying “I can’t do that.” One night, she dreams of all the future Ennas and sees all of the potential that she has as she continues to grow and learn new things. Her dream makes her realize that while there are many things that she is unable to do, that will not always be the case. She realizes she must keep trying and working hard to accomplish these things. I Can’t Do That, Yet is an engaging read aloud that will keep students guessing and is a fantastic catalyst for discussing the importance of one little word, YET.
11) Mindset Matters by Bryan Smith
Amelia is a second grader who is up for any challenge…unless it goes wrong, and then she quickly bails. Mindset Matters speaks to children who strive for success and perfection, but only if they are confident that success is essentially guaranteed. Struggling with feelings of failure and a low self-esteem after a few things don’t go her way, Amelia learns that she must change her mindset to a “gonna get it done mindset” and realize that failing doesn’t make her a failure.
12) The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Ashley Spires does an amazing job describing the gamut of emotions (inspiration, excitement, anger, defeat, sorrow) that one experiences when they have imagined and then tried and tried to create something spectacular. The main character is this book wants to make “the most magnificent thing” and although she puts all of her efforts into the project, she comes up short again and again. This story provides a very realistic depiction of how it feels when you have tried your absolute best but are still unsuccessful and models a fantastic approach for what to do about it.
13) Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae
All Gerald the Giraffe wants to do is dance like his other friends in the animal kingdom. But every time he tries, he fails miserably and the other animals make fun of him. Giraffes Can’t Dance is a beautiful story written in rhyme, portraying the defeating feeling one has when they aren’t measuring up and the perseverance of a giraffe that learns he needs to come at his obstacle from a different direction. This is definitely a “feel good” read aloud and opens many doors to quality class discussions about growth mindset, perseverance, courage, kindness, and individualism.
14) Flight School by Lita Judge
Flight School is a delightful story about a penguin who refuses to “stay in his lane.” He tells his friends that he has the “soul of an eagle” and wants to learn to fly just like all the other birds. Although he needs a little bit of help from others, he remains persistent and is finally able to experience flying. This book teaches children to think outside of the box and never give up. A perfect addition to a collection of growth mindset books!
15) The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do by Ashley Spires
When Lou encounters something she has never done before, climbing a tree, she is hesitant and makes A LOT of excuses as to why she can’t join her friends. Ashley Spires portrays the range of emotions and reactions children have when they encounter something new and challenging. Lou eventually overcomes her fears and attempts to climb the tree but fails—however, her reaction depicts a healthy growth mindset that is a perfect model to discuss. Your students will absolutely relate to this story!
16) Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
This book takes the reader through the life of Wilma Rudolph. From the moment she was born she dealt with and overcame numerous challenges including the historical challenges of being African American, scarlet fever, polio, being told she would never walk again, and having to wear braces on her legs. Despite these challenges, Wilma grew up to compete as a runner in the Olympics and became the first American woman to earn three gold medals in one year. Wilma Unlimited is a beautiful and inspiring story portraying that even things that seem impossible are indeed possible with the right mindset. I also love to use this story during my unit on Perseverance.
17) Leo the Lightning Bug by Eric Drachman
Leo is a lightning bug, but can’t seem to figure out how to light up. The illustrations in this book perfectly depict the range of emotions Leo experiences as he struggles to be just like everyone else. Leo the Lightning Bug is the perfect reminder that patience and persistence are a huge part of success!
18) How to Solve A Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion by Ashima Shiraishi
Ashima Shiraishi doesn’t just see rock climbing as climbing rocks, she views it as solving problems. In this beautiful picture book, the talented world-class climber, Ashima Shiraishi, fascinates readers with how she uses visual mnemonics to help her scale boulders and has learned to see the possibilities within what seem like insurmountable obstacles. The most powerful part of this book, however, is how Ashima views her setbacks, of which she has many. “Each fall is a message, a hint, an idea.” This is a wonderful addition to any growth mindset lesson focused on the importance of failure and the role it plays in accomplishing one’s goals.
19) A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin
Horace Pippin had a passion for drawing and painting from the time he was a young child. When he was in middle school his father left their family so Horace had to quit school in order to work and help his mother with the family. When he was of age he went to serve in WWI and was wounded, which resulted in permanent damage to his right arm. When Horace returned home and began painting again he had to learn to use his left arm to guide his right while he worked. He never gave up on his passion and refused to let life’s obstacles become insurmountable. Horace was eventually discovered by the art community and major museums now display his art.
If you want to surf the whole list of books I recommend for teaching about growth mindset, I've compiled them all here into a list on Amazon.
NEED MORE RESOURCES AND DONE-FOR YOU ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHING GROWTH MINDSET?
You can manage to do each of these activities with a reflection journal and materials you have around the classroom, but if you want some of the work done for you, including Google Slides for remote learning situations, you can check out my Growth Mindset theme unit.
I use this unit for a 2-3 week morning meeting unit. It includes student journal pages, detailed and editable lesson plans, bulletin board materials with gratitude vocabulary and related quotations, and Google Slides for the teacher and a digital student notebook. This theme unit is also included in the Morning Meeting MEGA Bundle that contains 17 social- emotional themes. If you’re looking to increase your social-emotional focus, you’ve come to the right place!
THEMES TO GUIDE YOUR MORNING MEETINGS ALL YEAR
If you’d like more social emotional theme units with a focus on encouraging students’ social, emotional, and academic success, you may be interested in the Morning Meeting Mega Bundle of 17 theme units. With units focused on kindness, compassion, growth mindset, gratitude, perseverance, responsibility, managing emotions, and so much more, your engaging morning meeting plans are done for you and your students will love them! You can save 10% on the Mega Bundle of all 17 themes with the code MM10.
Did I miss any perfect Growth Mindset read alouds? Let me know in the comments and I’ll add them to our list!