- Picture Books
- Ages 5–10
- Art & Creativity
Trying
Part of the Kobi Yamada universeOpen the collection
A beautiful growth-mindset picture book about being a beginner, failing, learning and trying again. Especially strong for perfectionists, creative children and anyone who gives up when something does not work immediately.
- Best for5–10
- FormatPicture
- Length48 pp
- Read aloud~10 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Lyrical
- Literary
- Conversational
Tone
- Gentle
- Inspirational
- Thought provoking
- Warm
- Heartwarming
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Trying follows the emotional experience of learning something new: wanting to make something beautiful, feeling clumsy, comparing yourself with someone more skilled, and being tempted to stop. The story gently reframes failure as part of the path rather than proof that you cannot do something. Kobi Yamada's text is reflective and encouraging, while Elise Hurst's intricate illustrations give the book a quiet, artistic atmosphere that suits its focus on practice and creative growth. This is one of the most practically useful Yamada books for parent and teacher recommendations. It speaks to children who struggle with frustration tolerance, drawing, writing, music, sport or any skill that takes time. Its message is not simply 'try harder' but 'trying is how possibility reveals itself'.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 5–10
- Read aloud · 5–10
- Independent · 7–11
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Very high
Reluctant-reader friendly
Workable
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Bedtime
- Reading together
- Gift-buying
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
5 / 5 · Bedtime-friendly
Sensitive-child
5 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Growth mindset
- Perfectionism
- Creative practice
- Learning new skills
- Beautiful illustrations
Avoid if
- Wants fast plot
- Wants silly comedy
- Prefers simple preschool books
Particularly good for children who are…
- Interested in art and creativity
- Low self esteem
- Anxiety and worry
- Neurodiversity or learning differences
- Struggling with reading
In the classroom
How it works in school.
An inspiring picture book about learning to make something new — a lovely wellbeing and growth-mindset prompt about persevering and creating.
A book children love that happens to support school — never a stand-in for the texts a class is taught with. Reviewed for the classroom · June 2026.
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
The specific weight is being clumsy in front of someone better — wanting to make something beautiful, comparing yourself with the skilled one in the room, being tempted to give up. The Yamada / Elise Hurst picture book that reframes failure as the path rather than a verdict.
- Making a difference
- Transformation
- Being special or chosen
Why parents love it
The Yamada / Elise Hurst growth-mindset picture book — reflective tone, intricate atmospheric illustration, the message 'trying is how possibility reveals itself' landing without 'try harder' moralism. Strong for perfectionists and easily-discouraged children across drawing, writing, music, sport.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Conversation starter
- Educational for adult too
- Great writing
About the creators
About the creators.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
Where you’ll find it
On these reading lists.
Buy or borrow
Pick up a copy.
- Bookshop.org ↗
- Waterstones ↗
- Amazon UK ↗
- Hive ↗
When you buy through the links above, we may earn a small commission — it never costs you more, and it never changes the books we choose. How we’re funded →