Children unequivocally love books. In fact no matter how old you become you can always appreciate a wonderful children’s picture books. The longer you homeschool the larger and more diverse your home library will become. I want to share with you some of my all time favourite books that will be golden nuggets of wonder to your homeschool library. 

If you haven’t heard about “Growth Mindset” by now then it is about time you did. The main idea behind it is that a person can become good at something through hard work and perseverance. A person is not simply good at something by just “being inherently good”.

The opposite of having a Growth Mindset is having a “Fixed Mindset”. Those with fixed mindsets limit their capabilities and their success by confining themselves to the idea that they are only good at certain things. A person with a Fixed Mindset might use phrases like “I can’t do that” or “I’m not good at that”. A person with a Growth Mindset will instead adopt phrases such as “I can’t do that YET” or “I am learning to do this”

Helping children to acquire a Growth Mindset broadens their horizons, increases their capabilities and develops a deep sense on self worth and accomplishment.

The follow titles are of books that help children recognise a Growth Mindset and how to develop it in themselves.

1. Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls

This is an INCREDIBLE book for any girl. It contains 100 bedtimes stories based on amazing woman from history and the present day. Each story is written in the format of a fairytale and will inspire even the littlest child to reach for the starts and  dream big. Suitable for ages 4 and up this is a must have for every little girls library.

2. Giraffes Can’t Dance

One of my children’s all time favourite bedtime stories is Giraffes Can’t Dance. Gerald the giraffes is mocked and teased for his apparent inability to dance. His skinny legs and and wonky knees make it all the more difficult for a giraffe. He is given some wise advice from a unexpected friend and overcomes his hurdles to become a most excellent dancer.

3. The Bear and the Piano

The Bear and the Piano is another gorgeous favourite in our house. One day in the forest a young bear comes across a piano. Unsure of what it is he begins pounding on it making an awful noise. However as the months and seasons pass the awful noise slowly but surely becomes something magnificent and beautiful. The bear makes his way to Broadway, playing for sold out audiences every night. The bear eventually realises thought, that fame is not what is most important. He returns to the forest to play once again for the most important audience of all…his friends and family.

This book teaches both perseverance as well as humility.

4. The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes

This is a story for the perfectionist who hates to fail or make mistakes. It’s main character Beatrice has NEVER made a mistake for as long as anyone can remember. They don’t even use her name. They instead they call her “the girl who never makes mistakes”. Soon enough does in a very public way. This story will bless any child needing to know that mistakes are okay. There are also times we can laugh about the silly mistakes we may make.

5. Mistakes That Worked

Many of the wonderful things we enjoy today like silly putty, popsicles and potato chips were all created by accident! The 40 inventions that were made by mistake will all be revealed in this book, along with their fascinating stories.

It will encourage the reader to realise that mistakes often lead to surprising consequences.

6. Salt in his Shoes – Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream

In a child based autobiography written my Michael Jordan’s mother and sister we learn of his early years when he almost put his basketball dreams aside for fear of being too short. When he asks his mother for advice on how to make himself taller her advice is to “put salt in your shoes and pray everyday” He continues to practice but his efforts are not immediately rewarded. His father offers some wise advice that “practice, determination and hard work” are what is most important. As we all know Michael went on to become of the greatest basketball players of all time….and yes he did eventually hit that growth spurt! (maybe it was the salt in the shoes?!)

7. I Can’t do that YET

Enna is a young girl with a very fixed mindset when one night she dreams of all the possibilities for her life. When she wakes she is full of courage and begins to develop a growth mindset and learns the power of “yet”. She learns that although she may not be able to something “yet” she has the power to do it if she puts in the effort.

This book encourages children to accept that not being able to do something immediately is not permanent.

8. The Most Magnificent Thing

A young girl has a plan to make the most magnificent thing. She has it all planned out in her head about how it will look but when it comes time to start creating nothing comes together and she fails over and over as she tries to create her most magnificent thing until she eventually quits. Urged on but her best friend, her dog she takes a walk before coming back to her creation, where she finally creates the most spectacular magnificent thing.

9. How to Catch a Star

A cute little boy so badly wants to own a star for his very own. He tries everything  be able to get a star but nothing works. Finally he gives up, until he notices a starfish in the water at the beach. He tries to catch it but has no luck until he realises that perhaps the starfish will wash up on the sand eventually. He waits and waits until it does indeed wash up and at last he has caught his very own star.

This story will encourage children to never give up but to also realise that sometimes success may actually look different from what we had first imagined

10. I Think I Am

A gorgeous book that helps children understand that the way the think and speak about themselves effects who they will become. Positive affirmations help children develop a positive mindset and attitude towards life and experiences despite opposition.

This book will teach children how to turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts and overcome negative self talk.

This is just the start of the list of some incredible books written about mindfulness and growth mindset. If you want to learn more or have access to a WEALTH of knowledge go and check out The Big Life Journal. They  are the number one experts on this topic. They have gorgeous journals for both children and teenagers that they can work through for 26 weeks. They also have printables galore. If you purchase anything from their store you then get signed up to their mailing list where they send you so many free resources you wont know what to start with first.