Book Review: The Magical Yet
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi is a heartwarming picture book for parents seeking stories that promote resilience, perseverance, and the power of “yet.”
With beautifully illustrated pages and a message that encourages kids to keep going even when things are tough, this book is a treasure for any child’s bookshelf.
Relatable Challenges for Kids
One of the reasons The Magical Yet is so effective in teaching kids about growth is how relatable the examples are. Many children know the frustration of falling while learning to ride a bike, accidentally ruining a creative project like spilling paint on an art piece, or facing the difficulty of learning ballet and getting hurt in the process.
These real-world scenarios make the story highly engaging, showing children that it’s okay to struggle when learning new skills.
The idea is simple: it’s normal to feel disappointed when things don’t go as planned. But with the help of their “Yet,” kids can see their setbacks as temporary.
This magical character symbolizes the belief that just because they can't do something now doesn’t mean they won’t be able to do it in the future. It’s all about embracing the “yet” and seeing the potential in every challenge.
Why Growth Mindset Matters for Kids
Teaching kids a growth mindset is key to helping them overcome obstacles, and The Magical Yet is a perfect tool for this. Growth mindset means understanding that abilities can improve with time, practice, and effort.
Rather than saying, “I can’t do this,” children learn to say, “I can’t do this yet.”
Books like The Magical Yet remind kids that they have the power to keep trying, and that their effort makes all the difference.
This shift in thinking helps children develop confidence and self-esteem, making it easier for them to face new situations without fear of failure. It’s a powerful life skill that sets them up for success, no matter what challenges come their way.
The Importance of Positive Affirmations
The words we use matter, especially when it comes to self-talk. This book encourages kids to shape their inner dialogue in a way that supports their growth. Rather than getting discouraged, The Magical Yet teaches children to embrace affirmations like “I’m getting better,” “I’ll try again,” and “I’m learning every day.”
Positive affirmations for kids can make a huge impact on their mental well-being and attitude toward learning. As children read about the journey of the main character, they see that setbacks are not failures, but opportunities to grow. This helps them internalize a voice of encouragement that they can carry with them through life’s ups and downs.
Here's a fun activity: Yet come alive for my children through art and craft.
A visual reminder that everyone's Yet is uniquely different.
Talking to Older Kids About Growth Mindset
As children grow older, the concept of a growth mindset can evolve into more meaningful discussions. For parents, this means finding ways to deepen the conversation beyond simple affirmations. Here are some ways to discuss growth mindset with older children:
Reflect on Past Challenges: Encourage older kids to think about challenges they've faced in the past. Ask them how they overcame those difficulties and what role perseverance played. This can help them recognize their own resilience.
Emphasize the Process, Not Just the Outcome: When discussing schoolwork, hobbies, or sports, focus on the effort they put in rather than just praising the result. For example, instead of saying, “Great job on your test,” try, “I’m proud of how hard you studied for that test.”
Introduce the Idea of Embracing Mistakes: Mistakes are a natural part of learning. Have open discussions about how setbacks can be stepping stones, and share stories from your own life where a mistake led to growth. This normalizes the experience and shows that even adults continue to learn.
Set Personal Goals: Encourage them to set specific goals for things they want to improve and track their progress over time. Celebrate their persistence and efforts in working toward these goals, whether it's learning a new skill, improving in a sport, or developing a hobby.
These conversations can help older children see that growth is a lifelong process and that they have the ability to improve through consistent effort.
Recommended Books for Nurturing Growth Mindset
For parents looking to build a growth mindset in their children, here are some top-rated books that continue the journey beyond The Magical Yet:
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
This foundational book on growth mindset explains how beliefs about our abilities shape our success. It’s a great read for both parents and teens, offering insights into the difference between fixed and growth mindsets.Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Duckworth's book delves into the importance of passion and perseverance in achieving long-term goals. It’s ideal for teens who need encouragement to stick with challenging activities.Your Fantastic, Elastic Brain by JoAnn Deak
This book is perfect for children and tweens, explaining the science behind how the brain works and the concept of neuroplasticity in simple terms. It helps kids understand that their brains can grow stronger through effort and learning. There's even a Chinese version of this book: here.The 80/20 Principle of Skills Mastery by Peter Hollins While not a children's book, the concept behind dedicating 80 focused hours to mastering a new skill is useful for older children and teens. It emphasizes that skills can be built through dedicated practice, and even a short-term commitment to consistent practice can yield impressive results. This concept can be a great discussion point with older kids about how to approach learning new skills or hobbies.
These books, combined with open conversations, can provide children with the tools they need to develop a resilient mindset.
The Balance
While fostering a growth mindset is important, it also takes experience and wisdom to know when to help our children learn it’s okay to step back or change direction. Teaching kids to recognize when to take a pause or give up can help them make wise decisions about their time and energy.
It’s not about quitting easily, but rather understanding that in the self-discovery journey, some pursuits may no longer align with their interests, or that their efforts may be better focused elsewhere. Perhaps it's time for questions like, “Is this still bringing me joy?” or “Am I learning and growing from this?” or "Is there a better time for this?"
This helps children understand that persistence is valuable, but knowing when to pivot can be a strength too. Often, it's hard to teach children balance because even as grown-ups, we're still grasping what it means to balance resilience with self-awareness too.
Who Should Read This Book?
The Magical Yet is ideal for:
- Parents Seeking Positive Affirmation Books: If you’re looking for stories that teach kids about resilience and self-belief, this book is an excellent choice.
- Children Ages 3-8: In terms of reading level. With relatable examples and positive language, this book is perfect for young kids learning new skills. But of course, the universal message that progress comes with effort and time is for anyone in need of encouragement, child or adult.
- Families Embracing Growth Mindset: It’s a great resource for parents who want to introduce the concept of growth mindset to their children through storytime.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for positive affirmation books for your young child or a deeper dive into growth mindset principles for your teenager, The Magical Yet is a great starting point.
Its message about embracing effort, learning from mistakes, and believing in the power of "yet" is a lesson that will resonate with readers of all ages.
Product Link
The Magical Yet (Amazon SG)
