Archives for September 2013

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 of a shy girl with hair swooping over one eye who makes trash into treasure when nobody sees until one of her inventions causes laughter and leaves her “embarrassed, perplexed, and dismayed.” And, then I read the words, “She stuck the cheese hat on the back of her shelf and after that day kept her dreams to herself.” And, I felt a lump in my throat and read on.

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 dreamed once again, designed once again, and crashed once again, learning with the coaching of her great-great Aunt Rose the blessing of fails.

‘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.