June 10, 2026

Picture Books for the Kid Who Says I Can't

The books I reach for when my kid says I can't

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These are the books featured in this post — tap any cover to find it on Amazon.

Cover of The Dot

The Dot

by Peter H. Reynolds

Vashti believes that she cannot draw, but her art teacher's encouragement leads her to change her mind and she goes on to encourage another student who feels the same as she had.

Cover of Trying

Trying

by Kobi Yamada

How will you know what's possible if you don't try? This is a story for anyone who has ever felt like a beginner, or had doubts, or worried they weren't good enough. It's a story for those who have experienced the pain of trying something new and not having it turn out as they had hoped. So, in many ways, it is a sotry for every one of us. Because at some point in our lives, we will all fail. Failure can be disappointing, and even heartbreaking, but the story doesn't end there. Because failure has so much to offer. It's a necessary step to learning, to growing, to getting better. It can show us how badly we want something--and how hard we are willing to get it. It challenges us to be brave, to take heart, and to try again. And yes, there will be times when you'll question yourself. You may want to give up. But if you believe--if you practice and press on--you can do amazing things.

Cover of The Most Magnificent Thing

The Most Magnificent Thing

by Ashley Spires

Fails, fumes, walks away, comes back, and gets it right.

Cover of Flight School

Flight School

by Lita Judge

A penguin not built to fly who refuses to give up the dream.

Cover of Giraffes Can't Dance

Giraffes Can't Dance

by Giles Andreae

Gerald the giraffe is too clumsy to dance with all the other animals at the Jungle Dance, until he finds the right music.

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