Regina's Big Mistake (Sandpiper paperbacks) [Paperback]

Marissa Moss (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 27, 1995 | Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Sandpiper paperbacks

When asked to draw a rain forest during art class, Regina is afraid of trying and failing, a feeling recognizable to all school-aged children.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-2-- Regina's problem in art class is a common one. Given a blank paper and crayons, the class is instructed to create a jungle scene, but no ideas come to her. She sneaks peeks at her neighbors' work (much to their indignation) and then makes a tentative start, borrowing from their ideas. Suddenly she is brainstorming easily and her drawing expands beautifully. Until . . . her crayon slips as she draws the sun, giving it a crescent shape. Her creativity is still working, however. She turns the sun into a moon, adds stars and a blue background , thus transforming her picture into a night scene. Moss's crayon cartoons are exactly what is needed to depict the artistic endeavors of very young children. Simple lines and primary colors, all with the look of nothing more sophisticated than crayons straight from the box, mimic the styles of most six-year-olds. Illustrations and text combine for a pleasing effect, giving the reassurance that borrowed ideas can lead to something truly original. --Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School, Allen, TX
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Moss's crayon cartoons are exactly what is needed to depict the artistic endeavors of very young children. Simple lines adn primary colors... m imic the styles of most six-year-olds." School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (March 27, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395700930
• ISBN-13: 978-0395700938
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 9.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #804,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marissa Moss has been telling stories and drawing pictures to go with them for as long as she can remember. She sent her first book to publishers when she was nine, but it wasn't very good and it never got published. She didn't try again until she was a grown-up, but since then she hasn't stopped.

The idea for the first Amelia's Notebook came from the notebook Moss kept when she was a kid. Amelia is a lot like her and the things that happen to Amelia really happened to Marissa (mostly).

Along with Amelia, Moss has created many characters and is especially drawn to history. Historical books allows her to imagine what it's like to be alive in a different place at a completely different time. And then there are the Max Disaster books which allow her to play with scientific experiments, inventions, and comic strips.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for classroom teachers, August 29, 2001

By 

Tiffany Glass (Birmingham, AL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Regina's Big Mistake (Sandpiper paperbacks) (Paperback)

This book addresses issues of self esteem, spontaneous creativity and individuality. If you have students afraid to make a mistake, this is a great 'go with the flow' example. Regina worries about messing up her artwork, and in the end realizes that sometimes 'mistakes' lead to discoveries.

4.0 out of 5 stars Regina's got a problem..., February 17, 2010

By 

Ulyyf "Connie" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Regina's Big Mistake (Sandpiper paperbacks) (Paperback)

Regina wanted her jungle to be perfect. But of course, who is perfect?

She tried everything to avoid mistakes - crumpling up her paper, dawdling, even copying at one point - but it's only when she learned to turn her mistakes into assets that her picture became the envy of the class.

This is a very common problem with small children. They want their hands to do what their minds picture, and are upset when they can't. (Heck, it's a common enough problem with adults, too!) Regina is very realistic with how she tries to cope with this issue, and models a very good example with her solution.

The book didn't draw me in as well as it might have, I'll admit, but it was well-written and illustrated.

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun, good example of struggle for change, January 29, 2007

By 

Heidi J. Quinlan (Chandler, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Regina's Big Mistake (Sandpiper paperbacks) (Paperback)

As a therapist I purchased this book for my child clients due to seeing so many of them struggle with perfectionism and anxiety. I like how this book gives examples of the importance of being flexible and making the most out of what you are given.