Fail-a-bration

by Brad Montague, Kristi Montague

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Growth Mindset, Art, Emotion, Mental Health, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Brad Montague since Kid President, so when my friend gifted me this book, I knew that I was in for a treat. What a beautiful and necessary message for anyone who fears making mistakes!

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do you do when you mess up, embarrass yourself, or fail miserably? Do you cry and moan and label yourself a failure, or throw a celebration about what you’ve learned and how you are growing?

This is a fabulous encouragement to not view failures and mess ups as the end of the road or a sign that you are a failure, but a chance to celebrate learning and growth. There are even suggestions about how to host a Fail-a-bration party in the back of the book. It is a beautiful message, and done in a very fun and creative way. The illustration style is a unique collage/illustration combination that felt right for this story. Hand this to anyone 4 to 94 who needs a reminder that failing doesn’t mean you’re a failure, we all mess up sometimes, and if we were more honest about that maybe we wouldn’t feel so bad when it happens to us.

[Mrs Heidrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Edelweiss for a digital ARC.

This is such a wonderful book that I'll not only be purchasing, but recommending to everyone I know!
First of all, the end papers are adorable and draw you in from the minute you open the book. The illustrations seem to fit this story perfectly!

Love the idea of celebrating our failures while also acknowledging that they might make us feel a lot of different things and that's OK too. There are lots of examples to make connections with. The idea of a Fail-a-bration sounds like a wonderful ides and something to normalize for sure!

[Tori Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about kids making mistakes and provides examples of mistakes we may make. It validates the feeling we feel when we fail but encourages students to instead of getting down on themselves, throw a fail-a-bration. A fail-a-bration is a celebration where you celebrate that you failed because it is proof that you were trying and also highlights that we learn through failing. It lets students know its okay to fail but important to get back up and try again. It lets students know that just because they fail does not make them a failure. It even encourages students to write a letter to themselves when they fail and say “Today I failed at ____(fill in the blank), tomorrow I will fail better.” I would use this book at the beginning of the year to let students know they are going to fail sometimes, but that is okay because that is how we learn best and its proof that we are learning. Then we would throw a fail a bration. I would also like to have students write a letter like the one in the book each week and say “This week I failed at _____, next week I will fail better.”

[Kelli]

Readers are invited to a giant fail-a-bration party to celebrate the cake that came out lopsided, mistakes made on the spelling test, the cookies left in the oven too long, etc.

I love that the authors are passionate about reframing the way we look at our failures and mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. It doesn’t have to be weird or make us feel shame. We learn from our mistakes, why not celebrate that?! As long as we can discuss ways to grow from our mistakes and offer meaningful solutions, count us in!

Fail-A-Bration is an affirming children’s book & movement that celebrates failure as an essential part of the learning process. Highly recommend!

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

Love this book! I try to tell my kids that Mama fails a lot and it’s ok because we learn that way but sometimes kids need to hear about it from someone else or read about it. This book is here to help! I LOVE the idea of celebrating failure and embracing failure to do better next time. The illustrations are cute with the mix of drawing and 3D objects, the text is joyful, and message is important for those little and big. This book is a pure win.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Dial Books through Edelweiss+.
Readers of all ages should read this one and remind themselves that failure is not the final outcome. I appreciate how Montague reminds readers that it is part of life. The idea to hold a Fail-a-bration is novel and offers support for anyone who is struggling. The artwork captures the glitches and moves to the joy. Tips for throwing a party are provided at the end. Looking forward to sharing this one with classes to begin dialogue about perseverance and acceptance.

[SamSamSam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ughhh this concept is so good. SO GOOD!! But the meter was really, reallllly bad.
I wish I could gently grab picture book authors by the face, make them look me in the eyes, and repeat after me that the text of their book does not have to rhyme. It just doesn't!! There are so many good books that don't rhyme, and this COULD have been one of them. I'm so sad because I thought this was a storytime contender for sure, but the readaloud experience would just be awkward with the text as it is.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this thinking: cute! and admiring the less usual art style. then I found myself laughing out loud, more than once. It has great story beats; taking the sting out of the, er, sting that embarrassment or shame or sadness brings when we make mistakes, have accidents, or just fail at things. What a great book to have around.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the message & love the art and images. Its depictions of imperfection is perfection!
It's ok to fail. We all do it. And let's celebrate trying! And failing!
What a wildly awesome message to teach kids.

I kind of want to gift this to myself (at 36 years old). <3


4.5 stars

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great growth mindset book! Throw a fail-a-bration because we all fail! Learn to learn and laugh from our failures and share them with others too. We all fail, so let's celebrate our failures together, and grow from there!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m totally obsessed with this adorable book.

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful concept!

ARC from Edelweiss.

[Tam I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read an ARC

Love that this celebrates failures as a positive step.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just heard Kristi read this at Parnassus Books in Nashville. A wholly rich and beautiful experience. So grateful for this! Everyone can put this to use. So good!!!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celebrate your never give up always learning attitude! As a librarian I feel seen - the end cover with the mid-shelved book. Love it!!

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all need this book now and then. Let's make mistakes normal and destigmatize failure.

[Kelsey Kacher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for kids to help promote a growth mindset

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful celebration of the power of failing and how it is an opportunity to learn and grow.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great classroom read.

[AllyP Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that can show kids it's okay to fail sometimes.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for the classroom, for the workplace, and if you just want an excuse to have a celebration.

[Chris Hays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stellar. Back matter. Wonderful Art. Growth Mindset. Excellence.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super encouraging, even for adults.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My students and I LOVE this book! We make little party hats above our heads and say “fail-a-bration!” When we make academic mistakes now and it’s 12/10.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good one to use to talk about making mistakes and how they help us.

[Mama Bearian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to approach kids who are worried about making mistakes or perfectionists. Love that it’s based on a real party!

[Danica Midlil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!