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Petunia the Perfectionist: Embracing Mistakes & Growth
Discover how Patunia learns to love herself imperfectly in this fun read along and author Q&A about embracing mistakes to grow and create beautiful music.
Welcome back to Kids Ask, Authors Answer, a joyful video series where children’s curiosity meets author creativity! Each episode brings together real kids and children’s book authors for a read-aloud followed by spontaneous, unscripted Q&A sessions.
The twist? The authors never see the questions ahead of time, so every answer is genuine, often funny, and always full of heart.
In this episode, hosts Amy Doslich and Samantha (Sam) Howard-Els read Petunia the Perfectionist by Marissa Bader, a thoughtful and relatable picture book about learning to let go of perfection and embrace mistakes. As kids follow Petunia’s journey, they see what happens when trying to do everything “just right” starts getting in the way of joy, creativity, and confidence.
Perfect for kids who worry about making mistakes, this episode is filled with moments that spark meaningful conversations and big questions, answered by the author herself, about growth mindset, self-compassion, and why mistakes help us learn and grow.
Amy Doslich is the author and illustrator behind the beloved Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series, a collection inspired by her two daughters. Her stories are known for their warmth, humor, and family-centered adventures.
Samantha Howard-Els brings her own sparkle as the creator of the Mungo series and Tiny Boo, books that mix kindness, curiosity, and Halloween fun.
This time they’re joined by Marissa Bader, who shares what inspired Petunia the Perfectionist, why she wanted to write a story about mistakes and perfection, and what it’s like hearing thoughtful questions straight from young readers. Her answers offer a warm, behind-the-scenes look at writing a story and reminds kids that it’s okay to not get everything right the first time.
The Journey of Petunia: Embracing Imperfection in a Perfectionist’s World
In today's fast-paced and achievement-oriented culture, the idea of perfection looms large, especially for children who are just learning about themselves and their place in the world. Through the charming and relatable story of Petunia, the main character in Marissa Bada’s picture book, young readers and their grown-ups are invited to explore the challenges and beauty of learning from mistakes.
Let’s dive deep into the story of Petunia, the questions kids had for her creator, and the important life lessons that surfaced through storytelling.
Petunia’s story begins with a simple, yet familiar, premise: she desperately wants to be perfect. Whether it’s making sure her books are always in alphabetical order, refusing to color outside the lines, or skipping bike rides with her brother to practice guitar, Petunia’s quest for flawlessness leaves little room for joy and exploration.
When fellow students remark that Petunia would never let herself get messy in art class, she wonders about the word “perfectionist” and sets out to discover what it means. Though she embraces the nickname at first, the wisdom shared by her mother,that mistakes help our brains grow,plants the seed of curiosity and transformation.
Mistakes as a Catalyst for Growth
Petunia’s mother helps her gently question her attachment to perfection. Through conversation about her friends’ experiences in ballet and math,where mistakes led to valuable learning and understanding, Petunia starts to see mistakes in a new light. The story beautifully shows how compassion toward ourselves and others is essential to personal growth.
And yet, as is true for many, change doesn’t happen overnight. Petunia must feel the sting of a musical mishap at her guitar lesson before she can truly internalize the lesson.
During a crucial guitar lesson, Petunia makes a conspicuous mistake, resulting in a screeching sound. Expecting criticism, she is instead met with thunderous applause from her teacher, Miss Hill, who praises her inventiveness. Her friends, too, delight in the original sound she created.
This is a turning point: Petunia learns firsthand that creative accidents can be a source of joy and innovation.
The Wisdom of Loosening Up
Miss Hill then delivers a memorable metaphor: when guitar strings are pulled too tight, they make harsh, unpleasant sounds; when loosened, they produce beautiful music. Petunia comes to understand that striving for unattainable perfection is like overtightening life’s strings. By letting go, by “loosening up” we access creativity, pleasure, and even more beauty in what we do.
When children engage with Marissa, the author, their curiosity cuts right to the heart of the story. Ethan, age nine, asks if Marissa wrote this book because she herself is a perfectionist. The answer is an enthusiastic “yes”. Marissa identifies as a recovering perfectionist and even crafted the book in part to help her daughter and other kids see that learning from mistakes is one of life’s greatest gifts.
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Petunia
Petunia is not just a fictional character, but a gentle portrait inspired by Marissa’s own daughter, Harper, and by family inside jokes (such as her brother nicknaming Harper “Petunia”). Even Petunia’s brother Bruce is drawn from real life—named as a loving nod to Marissa’s own family, specifically her brother’s nickname given to him by her daughter. Such details infuse the story with heartfelt authenticity that resonates with both children and adults.
Children’s questions often zero in on the unspoken roots of perfectionism: Why does Petunia feel she must always be perfect? As Marissa gently explains, some of us simply carry this trait as part of our personality,believing that it’s necessary for love and self-worth. Still, the book leaves space for readers to explore their own insights and experiences.
Quitting Because of Perfectionism
Petunia’s reluctance to try new things unless she can execute them flawlessly is mirrored in the author’s own life. Marissa candidly shares how perfectionism once caused her to quit a dance class in high school when she struggled to keep up. Looking back, she wishes she had approached it with a growth mindset and sought additional help rather than giving up.
This vulnerability reminds young readers (and their parents) that even adults wrestle with the urge to abandon pursuits when faced with imperfection.
Children are naturally curious about story details, like why Petunia’s dad plays a broom instead of an instrument (there simply weren’t enough instruments to go around!) or why Petunia’s family has pumpkins on the table (to show that it’s fall). These questions open discussion about creativity and resourcefulness, and about the small details that bring stories to life.
The recurring household dog, sometimes mysteriously present in scenes but not explained in the tex, was a delightful addition by the illustrator, meant to evoke calm and comfort.
Real-Life Mistakes in the Writing Process
Even in the creation of the book, mistakes were made. Marissa shares that while writing and editing, she encountered spelling errors and other missteps that required multiple rounds of revision, a testament to the fact that even authors must embrace imperfection and iteration.
A particularly powerful message emerges from Marissa’s own experience with her daughter’s first-grade teacher, who told students that every time they make a mistake, “their brains grow.” By reframing errors as essential learning opportunities rather than failures, children develop resilience, curiosity, and a love of learning.
Compassion for Ourselves
Petunia’s journey isn’t about abandoning effort or settling for mediocrity, it’s about learning to treat ourselves with the same compassion we easily give our friends. Do we think less of others when they make mistakes? Of course not. So why not offer ourselves that same understanding and grace?
Creativity Springs from Letting Go
One of the strongest themes is that creativity, innovation, and joy often come when we let go of the need to be perfect. Whether it’s improvising a melody, joining a family dance party, or just doodling beyond the lines, wonderful things happen when we allow ourselves the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and try again.
Many of the book’s details are drawn directly from the author's life or shaped by collaborative creativity. Naming characters after real family members, including an unexpected dog, or setting the scene with autumnal pumpkins make the story both unique and relatable.
The Author’s Big Mistake (And What Came Next)
Perhaps the most powerful moment shared is Marissa’s honest recollection of a major error, publishing a book with a character’s name mistakenly swapped. Though embarrassed, she quickly corrected the error and was supported by friends. The experience didn’t just resolve a problem; it inspired a new story and a new perspective, that mistakes can be creative springboards, not just setbacks.
Petunia’s journey, as brought to life through Marissa’s words and a chorus of children’s questions, carries an enduring lesson: mistakes are not something to hide or dread, but rather opportunities to learn, grow, and celebrate what makes us human. By “loosening up our strings,” we find the music, color, and creativity that perfectionism often stifles.
For parents and educators, Petunia’s story encourages the cultivation of resilience and self-acceptance in children. For young readers, it offers comfort, humor, and the permission to color, play, and live outside the lines.
In the end, the message is simple and profound: love yourself, mistakes and all. It’s in our imperfections that we truly shine and that’s perfectly wonderful.
Want to Grab a Copy of Petunia the Perfectionist?
You can find it here*: https://amzn.to/3LMX76x
Watch them here: Kids Ask Authors Answer Interviews!
You can also find Amy and Sam’s books here:
Amy Doslich – Hannah Banana and Mary Berry series*: https://amzn.to/4eLoZ3G
Samantha Howard-Els – Mungo series & Tiny Boo*: https://amzn.to/3CBx9OF
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