Text and image work in fluid harmony in this sensitive picture book about overcoming perfectionism. Round, light-brown-skinned Mira--a long black braid trailing down her back--dreams of being good at something, but self-comparison and fear of failure mean that "every time Mira started a new thing, she gave up." With poignancy, Pray's flowing blue-gray tinted watercolor and pencil art shows Mira, clad in a blue leotard, departing a gym for a rocky beach, where she ponders rosy-hued visions of her would-be fellow gymnasts' tumbling successes. Describing her classmates (portrayed with various body types and skin tones) as "mountains," "rivers," and "trees," Mira resolves to stay small: "I will be a stone./ I will be a trickle./ I will be a seed./ Or maybe just a shadow." Luckily, a longing to "stretch" and "wiggle" soon prompts Mira to attempt some moves on her own, and as the sky brightens with a golden sunset, she discovers that simply trying--and re-trying--a new skill can bring joy and growth that are their own kind of success. Ages 4--8. (Apr.)

Mira has lots of first days attempting new activities, but fear of failure prevents many second days. Take gymnastics, for example, a sport full of terrible what-if? scenarios for an anxious mind: "What if she fell? What if people laughed? What if she did it the wrong way?" Believing that everyone else is better or a "natural" talent, Mira never gives herself a chance; she accepts failure and thinks of herself as a "shadow" since she's not perfect. One day, all alone at the beach, she practices walking -- and leaping -- on a driftwood log, a makeshift balance beam. She falls but gets back up and tries again. After many more tries, "it wasn't perfect. But Mira did it." She may not be an expert, but she can still participate. Pencil, colored-pencil, and watercolor illustrations highlight the character's frustration and isolation from others. Mira appears against blue backgrounds, while pink-hued bubbles feature the activities from which she has isolated herself. The contrast between the front endpapers (stationary Mira, alone) and back endpapers (active Mira, part of a group) hints at growth to come. Give this book to perfectionists or to those who feel too anxious to try new things. Julie Hakim Azzam March/April 2022 p.(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A young girl stifled by her perfectionist tendencies learns to find joy in simply doing her best. Whatever new activity Mira starts she soon quits because of her fear of failure. While other kids forge ahead enthusiastically learning new skills, she makes herself small, until she is "just a shadow." She regards her peers with wistful envy, thinking how much better they are than her at gymnastics, painting, dancing, and more. Mira is convinced that they succeed because they are naturals. Mired in self-doubt, Mira spends some alone time at the beach, contemplating her situation. Longing to let down her hair, she decides to try some tumbling moves on a piece of driftwood. She wobbles, her long, black braid caught on the wind, and flops. But Mira realizes it feels good to try! She smiles and goes again, stumbling and spinning and bouncing; her fixed mindset melts away as she finds the fun in learning and growing. As Mira blossoms, the red and blue palette of the colored-pencil illustrations, symbolizing her fears, transforms to one of warm, cheerful yellows and oranges. Pray's rounded forms give both weight and softness to Mira, who appears Asian. The multiracial cast of children is full of energy and their physically expressive activities are captivating. A sweet celebration of the growth mindset. (Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 2--4--Mira feels out of place and out of sync with everyone around her. While her schoolmates have mastered gymnastic springs, tumbles, and spins, Mira lacks their athletic confidence. She wants to be perfect at something. Instead, she stands aside, sadly comparing herself to them. Alone by the seashore, with no one watching, Mira tries standing on a driftwood log. She "did it all wrong, but it felt better than being a shadow." Slowly, with repeated attempts, Mira begins to master her fears and self-doubt. "It wasn't perfect, but Mira did it." Attempting and accepting her imperfect results makes Mira feel confident. With colored pencil and watercolor ink, Pray fills each page with softened pastel yellows, pinks, and blues; the seashore, where Mira feels safe, has a wide, open horizon, inviting Mira to open herself up to imperfection. Undulating waves stretch out to infinity, showing that anything is possible. Mira's usual frown flips up into a smile as she wobbles on the log, slips off, but then tries again. VERDICT This engaging story provides an inspiring insight into children's feelings and the growth of confidence. Pair with similar stories by Peter H. Reynolds including The Dot, Ish, and Sky Color.--Monica Fleche