Snake's Big Mistake: A Picture Book About Making Mistakes and Repairing Friendships for Kids

by Sarah Kurpiel

Snake loves art class—until his project is a disaster, and he makes a terrible mistake that hurts a friend. How will Snake fix his mistake? Acclaimed author-artist Sarah Kurpiel’s Snake’s Big Mistake is a picture book about art, friendship, apologizing, and forgiveness, for readers of The Rabbit Listened and The Book of Mistakes . For weeks, Snake has looked forward to sculpting the most spectacular clay pot in art class. But when his pot breaks and his teacher confuses Snake’s pot with Turtle’s, Snake takes home Turtle’s masterpiece to show his family and pretends that he made it. Now, Snake will have to craft a way to repair a broken pot and a broken friendship. Combining a sensitive, thoughtful text and irresistible illustrations, acclaimed author-illustrator Sarah Kurpiel centers emotions that young readers can easily identify with, such as anxiety, guilt, regret, and embarrassment. Snake’s Big Mistake— a companion to Elephant’s Big Solo— is an excellent choice for social and emotional learning, as well as story-time sharing.  

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, School, Art, Childrens, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2023

About the author

Sarah Kurpiel is a librarian and picture book author/illustrator from the Midwest. Her stories are inspired by animals, nature, and everyday life. Instagram: @sarah.kurpiel

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snake's jealousy leads to some big mistakes. I love how this one shows that an apology isn't always enough to repair a relationship - it takes time and work. Excellent.

[Lorellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thoughtful take on making bad decisions and making up for them. Quite cute art too.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Camila’s donation to the elementary school library. A great book about school, friendship, and doing the right thing.

[Kirsten Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Topics:
* friendship
* art/pottery
* honesty
* making mistakes
* accountability

[Gabriella Aldeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and incredibly adorable story about friendship, making big mistakes, and second chances. A winner that should be in every school library.

[Anitra Rowe Schulte]

In "Snake's Big Mistake," Snake is excited about creating a pot in art class - until he sees his pot along the pots of his classmates: "I've made the worst clay pot in art class," he laments. But when Snake draws near, he realizes that his pot was mislabeled and Mr. Owl thinks his pot is Turtle's (which is tall, geometric and beautiful). Snake takes turtle's pot and all the praise that goes with it - leaving Turtle hurt and confused. When Snake comes to his senses and at last comes clean, Mr. Owl shares: "Everything takes practice - even friendship." "Snake's Big Mistake is a thoughtful, reflective picture book that helps readers understand that apologizing is the first action in making things right.

[Janie Reinart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author/illustrator, Sarah Kurpiel delights us again with her new picture book, Snakes Big Mistake. A sweet looking snake (who doesn’t love a snake in an argyle sweater) imagines his clay pot will be the best in art class. After all a snake is good at coiling. When his pot turns out to be a disaster, Snake claims a friend’s pot as his own. Snake finds out there are more important things than a masterpiece. He tries to repair a friendship and needs more than anaconda adhesive. Snakes Big Mistake belongs in every elementary classroom. This wonderful story shows how we need to care for our friends.

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a GREAT story about making a mistake, owning up to it, apologizing, and then working hard to make up for that mistake. I liked that the author created a complex situation for Snake. I cringed when Snake chose to claim his friend Turtle's pottery classwork as his own, and even more when he broke the pottery. As in life, Snake had to work hard to make things up to Turtle and get their friendship back on track, which he does in a realistic way and with some time passing to heal the hurt. This is an enjoyable read that can also prompt some deep discussions with kids about making mistakes in friendship and making up for them.

[Allison Turkish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book that has it all: cute illustrations, a relatable story, a lesson learned.

I love the parts of the book that repeat the words "Snake looked to the left. He looked to the right. Could he do it? He was doing it?" which mimics what I think a lot of kids and adults think before they do something sneaky or wrong.

I also *LOVE* the analogy of wanting to fix a friendship the way you can fix a broken vase. How can Snake fix a friendship with glue? He cannot.

He needs to be brave. He needs to admit his mistake and make amends and work hard to show he can be a good friend.

Great book for ages 4+

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snake is so excited to make a pot in art class -- he is sure that his will be the best. Until it comes out of the kiln and it isn't even close to best. So he makes a big mistake and takes someone else's project. Snake's impulse is one that will likely feel relatable for young readers and the resolution is sound. If you make mistakes, you should apologize, but it will also take some work to make things right. The illustrations are colorful and make good use of white space and of coiling, slithering snake bodies.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snake is jealous is of Turtle's pottery, so when he sees an opportunity to swap projects, he takes it—and then feels remorse. We've all made the wrong decision and had to patch things up with a friend, and this book shows (in a non-didactic way) how jealousy can lead to bad choices. An apology isn't always enough to mend a friendship, but it's an important first step. A great SEL book with lively illustrations.

[Sharon Giltrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snake shows us all of what it is to be truly sorry. Children and adults will be able to relate to snake as we have all made mistakes. The important message in this story is that Snake shows us what we can do to learn from our mistakes (or is that misnakes). With bright and expressive illustrations the reader is taken on a journey through Snake's personal journey and learning. A great book which will sure to become a classic.

[Annette Schottenfeld · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved everything about Sarah Kurpiel’s SNAKE’S BIG MISTAKE and so will kids. When Snake jeopardizes his friendship with Turtle, it takes courage to undo his wrong. The story is both relatable and hopeful. The illustrations, also by Kurpiel, are detailed and adorable. I can’t wait to share this book with young readers!

[Judy Sobanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Snake's clay creation doesn't turn out the way he thought, he makes a choice that puts his friendship with Turtle in jeopardy. Snake has to find a way to come clean and repair not only his "mistake" but his friendship with Turtle. Sarah Kurpiel's text and illustrations result in a delightful story showing that friendships and honesty are far more important than false accolades.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Relatable story about a snake who makes some mistakes, hurts a friend, and the tricky road to repair. Excellent social emotional learning. snakes jealousy and regret are palpable and delightfully illustrated. Many kids will find relief in seeing their more difficult moments emotions and behaviors realistically and humorously portrayed.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the idea of a snake making a mistake and claiming another pottery student's creation when his didn't look so good. I liked the ending and the snake taking ownership and admitting his mistake. The illustrations are cool colors with an argyle sock on the snake and the apron on the instructor. The story presents a lesson and shows the remorse of the m.c.

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! Another Sarah Kurpiel book! This one will slither right into your heart as snake learns lessons about lying and friendship. I love how the message is baked right into the story rather than smacking you over the head. Every child will see themselves in snake AND learn how to fix mistakes. Don't misssss thisssss book. :-)

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snake loves art class. When his pottery piece doesn’t come out like he envisioned, he exchanges his work for turtle’s beautiful piece, and lies about it, destroying their friendship. Snake struggles with guilt and learns how to apologize and make amends. The story is thought-provoking. The text and illustrations relay the message in a gentle way.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snake gets a second chance in this story after making a mistake that almost cost him a friend. I really liked that this story seemed true to life in the fact that snake makes a mistake and then tries to cover it up by making excuses. Isn't that what we all do from time to time?

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this precious book. My favorite part is how the friendship gets repaired in the end. Snake made a bad decision but had the courage to fix his mistake. Wonderful story with adorable artwork!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snake takes credit for Turtle's work and then breaks it, thereby damaging their friendship, but Snake owns up to the mistakes and apologizes. A good simple story about telling the truth and how to be a good friend.

[Laura Hook · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about how disappointment can sometimes make us do things we regret, as well as exploring how friendship is hard and not always easy to rebuild or get back. Wonderful life lessons in this adorable picture book!

[P. B. Yeary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The suspense! This was a great story, with a wonderful message and beautiful pictures. This book also taught me something about my daughter I did not know! For my full writer to writer review of the elements in this story that work, please check out my blog pbjellytalez.blogspot.com

[Carri Nowak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book about making a mistake and then making amends. I plan on sharing this with students next August when school starts back. We all make mistakes, but it's super important to make things right again with friends. Be a person of integrity!

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snake loves art class but when his project is a disaster, he makes a terrible mistake that hurts a friend. A relatable story about how to make amends

[Gheeovondre D’Buttersnaps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awwwwwwww

[Kelly]

This is original - the mix up, the art class project, the animal characters. Not separately but all together. It's a great way to show how to clean up your mistakes and move on together.

[Carrie Tillotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book about the mistakes we make, and how to repair them. A wonderful friendship story!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and an important lesson in friendship for children. Perfect birthday or holiday gift for kiddos age 3-5.

[curiouskat_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate that there was a lesson learned and there were repercussions for bad actions.