The Missing Piece

Reach for this book when your child is feeling discouraged by their own mistakes or expresses a deep-seated need to be perfect in order to fit in. This classic fable follows a circle with a missing wedge that journeys through the world searching for its lost piece. Along the way, it discovers that its supposed flaw is actually what allows it to stop and smell the flowers, chat with worms, and enjoy the scenery. When it finally finds the perfect fit, it realizes that being complete changes its nature in unexpected ways. This is a profound tool for children (and adults) struggling with the pressure of achievement or the fear of being incomplete. It gently introduces the idea that our limitations are often the very things that give our lives color and connection. It is highly appropriate for any age, serving as a simple picture book for preschoolers and a deep philosophical meditation for older children and parents. Choose this to spark conversations about self-love, the beauty of the journey, and the idea that we are already enough just as we are.