Regina's Big Mistake

By Marissa Moss

Book Overview

When asked to draw a rain forest during art class, Regina is afraid of trying and failing, a feeling recognizable to all school-aged children. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039555330X
• ISBN13: 9780395553305
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Length: 28 Pages
• Weight: 0.96 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.8" x 0.3" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Regina's got a problem...

Regina wanted her jungle to be perfect. But of course, who is perfect? She tried everything to avoid mistakes - crumpling up her paper, dawdling, even copying at one point - but it's only when she learned to turn her mistakes into assets that her picture became the envy of the class. This is a very common problem with small children. They want their hands to do what their minds picture, and are upset when they can't. (Heck, it's a common enough problem with adults, too!) Regina is very realistic with how she tries to cope with this issue, and models a very good example with her solution. The book didn't draw me in as well as it might have, I'll admit, but it was well-written and illustrated.

Fun, good example of struggle for change

As a therapist I purchased this book for my child clients due to seeing so many of them struggle with perfectionism and anxiety. I like how this book gives examples of the importance of being flexible and making the most out of what you are given.

Must have for classroom teachers

This book addresses issues of self esteem, spontaneous creativity and individuality. If you have students afraid to make a mistake, this is a great 'go with the flow' example. Regina worries about messing up her artwork, and in the end realizes that sometimes 'mistakes' lead to discoveries.

Regina is a character any child or adult could relate to.

As an elementary art teacher, this book is a wonderful addition to my classroom. On the first day of school, I read this story to all my students. The book deals with children's worries about making mistakes, coming up with ideas,and drawing as well as their classmates, as well as what on earth they will do when an idea does not work out. It teaches a valuable lesson: we all make mistakes... instead of getting upset, we can use our creativity to come up with new ideas and solutions just like Regina did