
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the sting of failure, whether it is losing a soccer game, failing a spelling test, or feeling rejected by a peer. Emphasizing that 'grit' is a skill that can be practiced, this book provides a gentle framework for processing the frustration and shame that often accompany mistakes. It moves beyond just telling kids to 'try again' by validating their heavy emotions first. Appropriate for children ages 4 to 10, this story follows Emmi as she navigates common childhood setbacks. Parents will appreciate the proactive language that helps children reframe their internal monologue from 'I can't do this' to 'I can't do this yet.' It is a practical tool for building a growth mindset and emotional intelligence in a supportive, secular way.
The book handles disappointment and social exclusion with a direct, secular approach. The resolutions are realistic: Emmi doesn't always 'win' in the end, but she regains her sense of self-worth and agency. It is a hopeful exploration of emotional regulation.
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Sign in to write a reviewA 6-year-old perfectionist who bursts into tears or shuts down the moment a drawing doesn't look 'right' or they lose at a board game. It is for the child who needs a vocabulary for their frustration.
This book can be read cold, but parents should look at the 'Discussion Questions' and 'Notes for Parents' at the back. These provide excellent scaffolding for extending the book's lessons into real-life situations. A parent might reach for this after witnessing their child throw a game piece in anger, say "I'm stupid" after a mistake, or sit alone on the sidelines because they are afraid to join in.
Younger children (4-6) will focus on the relatable illustrations and the basic concept of 'bouncing back' like a ball. Older children (7-10) will connect more with the internal dialogue and the idea that resilience is a muscle they can consciously choose to strengthen.
Unlike many books on perseverance that focus on a single big achievement, Sanders focuses on the micro-moments of a typical day, making the concept of resilience feel attainable and daily rather than a heroic, one-time event.
The book follows a young girl named Emmi through several relatable scenarios: losing a game, struggling with a difficult task, and feeling left out. Each instance models the internal process of recognizing a difficult emotion, taking a breath, and deciding to persevere. It concludes with an explicit discussion of what resilience looks like in practice.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.