This book connects with children through the humorous chaos of an artist chasing ducks around his apartment and the honest depiction of his creative frustration. It highlights the messy, persistent work behind a famous masterpiece. Books in this family share a focus on the behind the scenes process of creators and include specific, quirky observations of the natural world.
Reach for this book when your child is on the verge of a 'perfectionist meltdown' or wants to give up on a project that didn't turn out right the first time. This charming biography follows Robert McCloskey as he struggles to get the drawings for his classic book, Make Way for Ducklings, just right. It highlights his hilarious and chaotic attempts to study real ducks in his own apartment to master their anatomy. Parents will appreciate how it demystifies the creative process, showing that even masterpieces are the result of mess, trial and error, and persistence. It is a perfect choice for encouraging a growth mindset in children ages 4 to 8, helping them see that 'getting it wrong' is often just a step toward getting it right.
