Description
What happens when a child who always gets A’s receives a grade he never expected? A much-needed reminder that perfection isn’t always possible, but growth is always within reach!
Paul likes things a certain way. A very certain way.
Nothing is ever out of place in his room. It’s always tidy and neat. His shoelaces are always precisely tied into perfectly shaped bunny ears, and his pencils are sharpened to the pointiest point. Most importantly, Paul is passionate about maintaining top marks in school. He takes great pride in being the kind of student who never makes mistakes.
But when Report Card Day arrives, Paul sees something he isn’t expecting: a grade that fails to meet his straight-A standards. In an instant, his confidence crumbles. Does this mean he’s a failure? What will his dad do? What will his teachers and everyone else think?
Anxious to make sense of his feelings and determined to fix the situation, Paul rushes to seek help from his understanding school counselor, Mr. Collins. Through meaningful conversation, a memorable lesson involving a twenty-dollar bill, and a fresh way of looking at mistakes, Paul begins to see that perfection is not the key to success. Instead, resilience and learning from setbacks may be more important than getting everything right the first time.
Heartfelt, relatable, and filled with gentle humor, this picture book offers children an encouraging message about self-acceptance, perseverance, and developing a healthy mindset around achievement. Young readers who struggle with perfectionism, fear of failure, or academic pressure will find reassurance in Paul’s journey as he discovers that mistakes are a natural and valuable part of learning.
Includes a special page with practical strategies for helping children manage all-or-nothing thinking, accept mistakes, build resilience, and develop a more flexible, growth-oriented mindset.
Published by Boys Town Press
ISBN: 979-8-88907-061-0
Juvenile Fiction
Full Color Illustrations
31 pages
Softcover, 9"x9"
Grades K-5; Ages 5-11
