To Err is Divine: THE BOOK OF MISTAKES by Corinna Luyken

Lynn: “It started with one mistake.”

For many kids, a mistake means crumpling a piece of paper and starting over, but in The Book of Mistakes (2017), Corinna Luyken’s debut picture book about the creative process, a mistake leads to something truly brilliant. From an ink blot on the front endpaper to a splotch on the title page, Luyken hints that mistakes can lead to something good.

The book kicks off with the drawing of a simple, circular face with one eye bigger and darker than the other. What to do? Make the other eye bigger, of course—a decision with mixed results. (“But the glasses—they were a good idea.”) Page by page, detail by detail, mistake by mistake, a painting evolves, one that teaches young artists that everyone messes up, and that sometimes, messing up can be a good thing.

This is an oversize book with big, white spaces that, as the story progresses, fill up with intriguing drawings rendered in ink, colored pencil, and watercolor. The result? A fantastical tree whose nooks and hollows are filled with thrillingly detailed scenes that, as the reader’s perspective shifts, turns into a new surprise.

Luyken’s book rewards repeat readers. What stands out each time is the reassuring notion that mistakes can be doorways to discovery.

Cindy: This book has so many potential uses, art-class discussion about the role of mistakes in the creative process most obvious among them. Youth-group leaders and high-school counselors might use it to springboard conversations about how real-life mistakes don’t have to be limiting or irredeemable, that we all have the option of turning our mistakes into something positive if we look at the situation in a new way or are willing to adapt. Please note that Luyken’s book is not at all didactic; it just lends itself extremely well to musing about creativity, choices, and perfection. Do get your hands on a copy and leave us a comment with your reaction.