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Ellie I. Beykzadeh
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Marissa Bader
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Petunia the Perfectionist Kindle Edition

by Marissa Bader (Author), Ellie Beykzadeh (Illustrator), Brooke Vitale (Editor), Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 out of 5 stars 43 ratings
*Listed as one of the Best Books of 2024 by Publisher's Weekly BookLife.

*Listed as one of the Best Indie Books of 2024 by Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2024 Edition.

Did you know that every time we make a mistake, our brains grow?

Petunia does not like to make mistakes. In fact, she'll do just about anything to avoid making one. So instead of enjoying her jam sessions on her guitar, Petunia practices 'til her fingers ache. And rather than creating art with her crayons, she spends her time color-coding them instead.
Petunia's so busy trying to be perfect, there's no time left in her life for being creative or having any fun!

Though Petunia's mom often reminds her that mistakes are important because they help us learn and grow, Petunia's not convinced. That is until she makes a mistake that inspires everyone...even herself.

Will Petunia finally understand that it's okay to make mistakes, and begin to accept herself for who she is - imperfections and all?

This book is PERFECT for perfectionists (children and grown-ups!) and belongs in classrooms, libraries, and every child's bookshelf.

Why readers will love Petunia the Perfectionist...
    • Promotes Growth Mindset. Teaches children to view mistake-making as an opportunity for growth and life-long learning.
    • Encourages Flexible Thinking. Helps children move from rigid, fixed beliefs about making mistakes to more flexible and positive ones; for instance, "People won't accept/like/love me if I make a mistake," to "Everyone makes mistakes, and I don't think less of others when they do."
    • Boosts Self-Compassion. Illustrates the importance of offering ourselves the same respect, grace, and kindness we'd extend to others if they made a mistake or faced a challenge.
    • Builds Resilience. Emphasizes the idea that we learn from our mistakes, which, in turn, helps build confidence and resilience, and gives us the courage to try again or even create something new from our error.
    Read more
    Previous slide of product details
    1. Reading age
      5 - 10 years
    2. Language
      English
    3. Accessibility
      Learn more
    4. Publication date
      August 8, 2024
    5. Page Flip
      Not Enabled
    6. Word Wise
      Not Enabled
    7. Enhanced typesetting
      Not Enabled
    8. ISBN-13
      979-8985768183
    Next slide of product details
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    From the Publisher

    marissa-bader-awards
    petunia-the-perfectionist-practicing

    Petunia prioritizes practicing guitar and studying over recreational activities like riding her bike or playing with her friends at recess, valuing perfection over the joy of leisure.

    petunia-the-perfectionist-drawing

    Drawing time

    Petunia experiences panic at the mere thought of coloring outside the lines.

    petunia-the-perfectionist-dictionary

    Perfectionist definition

    She experiences an ah-ha moment, suddenly realizing how fittingly it describes her.

    petunia-the-perfectionist-mom-guitar

    Guidance from mom

    Petunia finds reassurance from her mom, understanding that mistakes are a part of the journey.

    petunia-the-perfectionist-guitar-screech

    Petunia stumbles over a single note during her guitar lesson, sending a jarring screech through the room. Stricken with embarrassment, she grapples with the notion that one wrong note could unravel her meticulously crafted image of perfection.

    Editorial Reviews

    Review

    "...In Bader's picture book, a new nickname invites a new perspective...Petunia is a little girl who believes that everything has its proper place and that anything done less than perfectly is unacceptable...The images of Petunia's fastidiously organized coloring pencils and books in Beykzadeh's illustrations highlight her perfectionism and the book's warm color palette...Playing a wrong note strikes the right chord for a determined little girl in this winning children's story." -Kirkus Starred Review

    "...Bader transforms a very real—and often hard to discuss—issue for younger readers into a problem that can be faced and handled in this polished book... By the story's end, Petunia is savoring the freedom that comes with being "perfectly imperfect" and learning the important lesson of self-love, flaws and all. This is a delight." -    BookLife Reviews by Publishers Weekly (Editor's Pick)

    "Petunia the Perfectionist is a delightful children's book that addresses the important themes of self-acceptance and the value of imperfection...The gentle and reassuring tone of the narration makes it an excellent tool for parents and educators to help kids develop a positive self-image and a growth mindset, celebrating the beauty of imperfection along the way..." -    Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review

    "Author Marissa Bader's descriptive writing allows the reader a peek into the life of Petunia by using real struggles to connect with readers. Thus, she delivers an emotional tale of self-discovery. The illustrator, Ellie Beykzadeh, provides depth and beauty to the story. Beykzadeh's stunning, vibrant images are wonderfully PERFECT." -     5-Star LitPick Book Reviews

    About the Author

    Marissa Bader is a writer and children's book author with a background in mental health. Her books, The Only Me, Stella's Brave Voice, and Petunia the Perfectionist are inspired by her three daughters, a set of twins and a singleton, and promote confidence, courage, and self-acceptance in kids. Marissa also enjoys writing personal essays and articles about mental health and parenthood. Her work has appeared in Psychology Today, HuffPost Parents, Time Out New York, and more. Marissa resides in Minneapolis with her family, and when not writing, can often be found drinking coffee and having dance parties. To learn more about Marissa and her books, or to schedule her for an author visit, head to her website at MarissaBader.com.

    Product details

    • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D1KWXLRC
    • Publisher ‏ : ‎ M. Bader Media, LLC
    • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
    • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 8, 2024
    • Language ‏ : ‎ English
    • File size ‏ : ‎ 15.6 MB
    • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
    • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
    • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
    • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
    • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8985768183
    • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
    • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 10 years
    • Customer Reviews:
      4.9 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

    About the authors

    Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
    Previous page
    1. Ellie I. Beykzadeh

      Ellie I. Beykzadeh

      Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
      Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

      Ellie Beykzadeh is an illustrator based in Chicago. With a BFA in Visual Arts (Painting) and two MAs in Art Research and Arts Management, she brings a uniquely imaginative touch to her projects through a variety of mediums and styles.

      In 2018, Ellie debuted as both writer and illustrator with "Namaki and the Giant." She has since illustrated "Imagine That" by Renee Bolla, "Growing Our Hearts: New Baby, New Groove" by Dr. Alishea and Frank Jurado, and "Petunia the Perfectionist" by Marissa Bader, released in August 2024, with more to follow in 2025. Ellie is happily immersed in the enchanting realm of children's literature, where creativity and imagination thrive.

      Follow Ellie's artistic journey on Instagram @elliecolorss.

      See more on the author's page
    2. Marissa Bader

      Marissa Bader

      Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
      Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

      Marissa Bader is a writer and children’s book author with a background in mental health. Her books, The Only Me, Stella’s Brave Voice, and Petunia the Perfectionist are inspired by her three daughters, a set of twins and a singleton, and promote confidence, courage, and self-acceptance in kids. Marissa also enjoys writing personal essays and articles about mental health and parenthood. Her work has appeared in Psychology Today, HuffPost Parents, Time Out New York, and more. Marissa resides in Minneapolis with her family, and when not writing, can often be found drinking coffee and having dance parties. To learn more about Marissa and her books, or to schedule her for an author visit, head to her website at MarissaBader dot com.

      See more on the author's page
    Next page

    Customer reviews

    4.9 out of 5 stars
    43 global ratings

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    Customers say

    Customers appreciate the book's message about learning from mistakes and growing through experiences. The illustrations are lovely, and customers find the story relatable, with one noting it shows both kids and adults. The character development receives positive feedback, with customers describing Petunia as an adorable character.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    Select to learn more

    11 customers mention "Message"11 positive0 negative

    Customers appreciate the book's message about growth mindset and learning from mistakes.

    "And we learn from them! What a good lesson for kids...." Read more

    "...This adorable story is a great opportunity to teach a life lesson, and I love that Petunia is a character who we can refer to often...." Read more

    "...Such a relatable, educational book for anyone, any age, feeling like they need to be perfect. Loved the story, message, and illustrations!" Read more

    "...I know now that it is so much better to try different things. If you don’t do well or fail, at least you tried...." Read more

    9 customers mention "Illustrations"9 positive0 negative

    Customers like the illustrations in the book.

    "...Loved the story, the illustrations and the message. Highly recommended! 🐾 H&K..." Read more

    "...to understand for children of all ages and the whimsical illustrations accompany the story perfectly...." Read more

    "...The illustrations are lovely! This is a great book for the home or SEL Bookshelf." Read more

    "...Loved the story, message, and illustrations!" Read more

    8 customers mention "Relatability"8 positive0 negative

    Customers find the story beautiful and very relatable, with one customer noting how it resonates with both children and adults.

    "...Loved the story, the illustrations and the message. Highly recommended! 🐾 H&K..." Read more

    "...This adorable story is a great opportunity to teach a life lesson, and I love that Petunia is a character who we can refer to often...." Read more

    "...Such a relatable, educational book for anyone, any age, feeling like they need to be perfect. Loved the story, message, and illustrations!" Read more

    "...If you don’t do well or fail, at least you tried. Life is far richer when we step out of our comfort zones to embrace what the world has in store..." Read more

    3 customers mention "Character development"3 positive0 negative

    Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding Petunia to be an adorable and relatable character.

    "...is a great opportunity to teach a life lesson, and I love that Petunia is a character who we can refer to often...." Read more

    "Petunia is an adorable character, who doesn't want to make any mistakes! Petunia is a perfectionist and wants everything to be just right...." Read more

    "...written and illustrated book with wonderfully bright images and great characters with a beautiful story...." Read more

    Live unapologetically free!
    5 out of 5 stars
    Live unapologetically free!
    As an airline pilot, I can suffer from striving to be a perfectionist. It serves me well in my career as a woman pilot but admittedly I relate to Petunia's character. I too recently learned that imperfections are the spice of life and I'm much more carefree; similar to Petunia's life experience in Petunia the Perfectionist. As an author, I delighted in the colorful and dimensional illustrations and the page layout of author Bader's gem of a book. Look no further for an addition to your bookshelf, especially if you are teaching young ones how to live unapologetically, and free!
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    Top reviews from the United States

    • 867-5309
      5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful
      Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2025
      Verified Purchase
      Ever had a child who struggled with trying to be perfect? If you know someone or are that someone, get this book and read with your little perfectionist. It’s a delightfully written and illustrated book with wonderfully bright images and great characters with a beautiful story.
      Petunia, very relatable and you want to reach into the book and hug her! Your little readers will immediately fall in love with this story and Petunia, as they read her story and learn how she dealt with being a perfectionist.
      I recommend this book.
      Helpful
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    • Hunny & Koko
      5.0 out of 5 stars Mistakes Happen!
      Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025
      Verified Purchase
      And we learn from them! What a good lesson for kids. We don’t have to chase the perfection, sometimes the good things come when we aren’t trying so hard and are just having fun. Loved the story, the illustrations and the message. Highly recommended!

      🐾 H&K
      Helpful
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    • Shelter Dog Advocate
      5.0 out of 5 stars It’s okay to make mistakes!
      Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2024
      Verified Purchase
      Petunia reminded me a lot of my younger self. I was afraid to try new things because it would be embarrassing to make a mistake and look stupid. I felt like everyone was watching and judging me. I would really have benefitted from this book back then!
      I know now that it is so much better to try different things. If you don’t do well or fail, at least you tried. Life is far richer when we step out of our comfort zones to embrace what the world has in store for us.

      Beautifully written book with an important lesson for young and old alike.
      Helpful
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    • Meli
      5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful Growth Mindset Story
      Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2024
      Verified Purchase
      Petunia is an adorable character, who doesn't want to make any mistakes! Petunia is a perfectionist and wants everything to be just right. Because of this, she misses out on many fun opportunities. She works hard and begins to understand that it's okay to make mistakes. The illustrations are lovely! This is a great book for the home or SEL Bookshelf.
      Helpful
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    • Green_Mom
      5.0 out of 5 stars What a great message! Too many kids are strung too tightly and need to learn to relax
      Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2024
      Verified Purchase
      I love this story because many children are trying too hard to be perfect and they don't get the chance to enjoy themselves. Learning happens when we make mistakes and it is important to celebrate those mistakes instead of being embarrassed by them. Great message and cute illustrations!! Pick this up for your child's library!
      Helpful
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    • L. Kaplan
      4.0 out of 5 stars it’s okay to make mistakes
      Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2024
      Verified Purchase
      The message is strong and clear- it’s okay to make mistakes.

      The story is a little clunky or missing some storyline like why is Petunia like this? A picture of her families awards or accomplishments may have been a good background reasoning.

      It’s a kids books, so it’s quick and ends wrapped up in a nice bow. It just feels it like it moved too fast to the conclusion.
      Helpful
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    • Drewloo
      5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for Perfectionists
      Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2024
      Verified Purchase
      My wife being a past perfectionist herself, this book really resonated with her. Always wanted to be perfect and strive for the best/correct way to do things. The message in this book is a great reminder that we learn and grow from our mistakes, and it’s ok to do so. Such a relatable, educational book for anyone, any age, feeling like they need to be perfect. Loved the story, message, and illustrations!
      One person found this helpful
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    • Dana P.
      5.0 out of 5 stars Warm Fuzzies!
      Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2024
      Verified Purchase
      Petunia is such a relatable character for both children and adults. This adorable story is a great opportunity to teach a life lesson, and I love that Petunia is a character who we can refer to often. The writing is easy to understand for children of all ages and the whimsical illustrations accompany the story perfectly. We hope Marissa continues to write stories that teach our kids to be good humans!
      Helpful
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    Top reviews from other countries

    • G
      5.0 out of 5 stars We learn from our mistakes
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2024
      Verified Purchase
      This is such a wonderful book that teaches children that it’s ok to make mistakes, and that we learn from making mistakes.
      The story reminded me of conversations I had with my eldest daughter when she was younger. She always put so much pressure on herself to do everything perfectly.
      The positive story is great for wellbeing and healthy minds.
      Beautiful illustrations.
      Report
    • Bibi
      5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book
      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2024
      Verified Purchase
      I have enjoyed reading this book with my daughter at bedtime. We both could relate it as we are both’past perfectionist’.The book has got a strong message that it’s okay to make mistake.It is also a great reminder that we all learnt from our mistakes.
      Customer image
      Bibi
      5.0 out of 5 stars
      Amazing book

      Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2024
      I have enjoyed reading this book with my daughter at bedtime. We both could relate it as we are both’past perfectionist’.The book has got a strong message that it’s okay to make mistake.It is also a great reminder that we all learnt from our mistakes.
      Images in this review
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