The colorful cover caught her interest, and she asked me to read. I was busy, watching the clock and trying to mentally plan the rest of the little bit of time we had before our house would be noisy again with children home from school. But, that was it; we only had a little bit of time before the cats would hide in the basement and backpacks would become kitchen floor coverings. So, we sat down to read.
Snuggled together in the middle of our floor, I started to casually read the story
I was full in. Fully engaged in the story and anxious for redemption, I spoke the written words to Lydia as if they were my own of how Rosie Revere
‘Your brilliant first flop was a raging success!
Come on, let’s get busy and on to the next!’
She handed a notebook to Rosie Revere,
who smiled at her aunt as it all became clear.
Life might have its failures, but this was not it.
The only true failure can come if you quit.
Lydia sat still on my lap as I finished the story that had somehow become one of my favorites over the course of only minutes. The illustrations are charming and show people of all different shades. The story encourages science and making and building for girls. It serves as a tribute to the real Rosie the Riveter generation before us. But, more than all that, it’s a simple sort of parable for mommies, daddies, and children alike that there’s such a thing as “perfect failure,” leading us all to stand and cheer.
Lydia’s new book just became a living room fixture, and the words “perfect failure” one of my parenting and personal scripts.
After reaching out the author with these words, “I’ve just discovered my new favorite book,” she suggested giving someone here a chance to receive their very own signed copy of her new book. So, here it is, friends.
In my own Rosie fashion, simple but effective, just leave a comment sharing why you would want this book for your family. A week from today, on 9/11, a fitting date for an encouragement to keep on keeping on, I’ll randomly choose one of you to receive your own Rosie Revere, Engineer
I’m an engineer by education, but for now, I’m a full-time mommy. I love the idea of a book encouraging little girls (and everyone else too!) in the engineering field and life in general!
Love it. Want it. Why? Because as the momma of three girls who already love to creative, I want to keep that love alive. I’m also thinking their engineer daddy would enjoy the book as well!
This book sounds amazing! I can’t believe I have never heard of it before. I would love to be the happy recipient, in lieu of our princess of course, of a copy! ;) Thank you for the possibility! And thank you for sharing this story with us. ;)
Sounds wonderful! Would love to win!
Girls need more books about engineering, physics and chemistry. Yea Andrea Beaty for coming up with a girl engineer for the youngest readers!
We loved reading Iggy Peck so much with our boy. Now there is the perfect book to read with his little sister. :)
As a science-loving girl myself, I love the idea of this book for my girls! :) Thanks for the giveaway, Kelly!
I want it for our home because I’m giving my copy to my favorite first grade teacher! One of the reasons I am passionate about science education is for the ever present opportunities to handle failure. It follows through to all areas of life! I also love this for the little girls who won’t consider science because of all those misconceptions out there. I could go on for pages here… As a robotics coach I want to get this in the hands of every little girl that I get to work with!
That sounds like an amazing book! I have four kids that could all benefit from it, but my oldest is in real need of a “keep going” book.
Oh Kelly – that book is my favorite now – and I haven’t even read it yet! I just read this article – http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-science-success/201101/the-trouble-bright-girls – talking about how girls aren’t praised for the process just the result and often fear failure. This is amazing! I would love love love this book.
Also – just in case you want to jump on the engineering bandwagon – Lydia might like doing an engineering spy girls adventure after this book – http://www.learningthingsonthefly.com/engineering-spy-girls/main-engineering-spy-girls-page/
This book sounds fabulous! Love that it has a merge for both my little girl and me!
Who COULDN’T use this message of truth in their lives?? Would love to read it to my girls– and be reminded of it’s lessons, myself. Thanks for the chance!
I love the idea of Li’l Empress reading this and reading this and reading this – she’s so often bound with anxiety over the unknown and the unfamiliar. I’d love yet another message of “I think I can” to pour over her spirit :)
I love it because of this: Life might have its failures, but this was not it.
The only true failure can come if you quit.
I’m a scientist and know exactly how Rosie felt. And I have daughters who know how Rosie felt. So this book will go to all my nieces (16 plus 2 great nieces!) so they’ll keep trying and having fun!
My daughter would love this book. Thanks for the contest!
Looks like an amazing book, LOVE reading to my kiddos!
My children are so into books and I love to encourage that, especially with a book that has a good life lesson in it! Thanks for the opportunity to win this!
one of my all-time favorite stories from my childhood is “The Little Engine That Could” which was just one of E’s favorite ones for about a week! I LOVE it because it’s “I think I can….” instead of “I can’t” which he seems to use A LOT & I am trying to reframe!!! I love that it’s about a little girl & perhaps written for little girls, which I will read to A, but right now I would love it for my big boy E! (nevermind that I could have used more of this when I was younger & so very shy! ;-)
Perfect chance…thank you!
Just made a decision (based on which needs my tiny community is best equipped to handle) to go for a waiting boychild rather than a girl, but if I’m approved, that boy will have an auntie who’s an engineer!
Still not fully done w/my paperwork so the uplifting message of the book was great to hear.
Hey there Kelly….blast from the past…came across your blog tonight via random paths :) (Mary Hanna from high school)
Anyway – I have 4 kiddos and child #2 (girl) would love this….as they all will, but she, in particular, will find that it might just speak to her in a special way :)
Loved catchign up on your life tonight!
We are big (HUGE!) fans of “Iggy Peck, Architect” and have been anxiously awaiting this book for my three kiddos, but mostly for my daughter who would love to see a positive STEM role model of her own.
What a sweet story! Would love to win this one! Angel loves all things science and I think it’s just a great lesson for ALL kids. Thanks for the chance to win!
Love this! One suggestion to my crew to make something ends with all of the tabletops covered in monuments that can never be moved. I am amazed at their ideas and we laugh at some of their flops. Children learn through play/inquiry, and we should encourage it everywhere.
I teach in a public school, and this is often my message to all of my students. I can preach to a class over and over about trying new things and perseverance, but nothing has the impact of introducing these ideas within the family. Moms and Dads, you hold a mighty power. Nourish and challenge your kids at home and you WILL watch them flourish outside of the home. We do a lot of nourishing at our home. This book would be perfect for our home and my classroom. Thanks for sharing your experience Kelly!
When you mentioned this book before I added it to my amazon list, but haven’t purchased it yet. We have an engineer in our family, and a future one-possibly-and the message I loved was that you don’t give up when your first try (or second or third) doesn’t work out. You keep trying.
My girls would cherish this. They are curious about the world around them and books like this will take them somewhere new!