From the author who brought us *Gustavo, the Shy Ghost*, introducing a *spell-binding* picture book about perseverance, accepting your imperfections, and what it means to be a true winner ~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“Leila the Perfect Witch* by Flavia Z. Drago

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “Leila, The Perfect Witch” to start on your own reading adventure! ~*

Book Synopsis/ Review

Meet Leila Wayward, a young witch who is *perfect* at everything she does: the fastest flier, most superb shape-shifter, perfect pumpkin carver, most cunning conjuror, and more! Her trophy rack is filled with awards~ but what she dreams of most of all is winning the Magnificent Witchy Cake-Off. After all, she is the youngest in a long line of Masters of the Dark Arts of Patisserie. But when Leila fails to make the *perfect* cake with even the most bewitching of recipes, she struggles to accept that she just may not excel at everything. Luckily, Leila has 3 magical sisters who are ready to share their culinary secrets, and prove to Leila that having *fun* is one of the best prizes of all.

Enchanting illustrations bursting with details create a fanciful witchy world in this tale of acceptance and perseverance in the face of imperfection. This is the perfect seasonal read for littles who struggle with perfection and making mistakes. They’ll learn along with Leila, that as long as you are having fun and trying your best, you will feel like a winner!

Vocabulary

• cunning (p. 3) tricky and skillful
• coven (p. 4) group or family of witches
• patisserie (p. 7) a collection of pastries and cakes
• determined (p. 12) very hardworking and doesn’t give up easily
• sifting (p. 20) shaking something through tiny holes to get rid of the large chunks and pieces

Main Themes/ Ideas

• Accept your imperfections and find joy in the learning process.
• Trying your best and having fun are more important than winning.

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*When I Can’t Do Something Perfectly* Growth Mindset Cauldron Craft

Growing up, I was hesitant to try new things unless I knew I would be good at it. I thought I would feel embarrassed if I tried something in front of others and couldn’t do it, or messed it up. Unfortunately, thoughts like these lead to missed opportunities, and detracts from the joy of learning new things and making friendships or strengthening bonds through teamwork and cooperation. Leila, from our featured story, models for littles the value of persevering even when you fail the first time, and the joy that comes from having fun and trying your best, even when you don’t win. Use the Cauldron Craft Template below to encourage littles to try their best even when they can’t do something *perfectly,* or to reflect on what makes them feel like a winner (even if they don’t win the trophy/prize!).

Materials

• *When I Can’t Do Something Perfectly…* Cauldron Craft Downloadable Template
• Coloring Pages are available.
• Scissors
• Tape/ Glue
• Colors: Markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc.
• Pen/ Pencil

Directions

• Choose Your Cover Template: Black & White or Color Templates
• B&W has 2 Different Text Color Options: Black Bold Text, or White Text to color in
• 2 Different Topic Heading Options:
• *When I can’t do something perfectly, I can…”
• “I feel like a Winner when…*
• Color if you chose B&W.
• Cut out the Cover Template.

• RESPONSE TEMPLATE: Choose a Response Template. There are 5 Differentiated options.
• Use the templates to respond to whichever *Cover Heading Prompt* you chose (“When I can’t do something perfectly…” OR “I Feel Like a winner when…”
• You can use the BLANK Template option to CUT-and-PASTE the Example Ideas provided.
• Or fill in your own ideas in provided spaces, or draw/write your responses in the templates with the lines and picture spaces

• Share things you can remind yourself or actions you can take when you can’t do something perfectly, or share all the different things that make you feel like a winner!
• Cut out the Template

• TO CONNECT: To attach the Cauldron Cover Template to the Response Template, place glue on the Response Template at the top rim of the cauldron where it says *glue* and is shaded in darker gray.
• Then glue the Cauldron Cover Template over the Response Template, so that it completely covers the response cauldron section.

• The Hands at the top of the Cauldron Cover should line up under the shoulders of the witch on the response template.
• Flip up the Cauldron Cover Flap to reveal your response underneath.

Enjoy Your *When I Can’t do Something Perfectly* Cauldron Craft

• Re-read the story with your Leila Cauldron Craft, and share actions or phrases from your craft that Leila can tell herself when she is frustrated that her baking isn’t perfect
• Share your craft with friends and family and ask them what makes them feel like a winner, or what they do when they can’t do something perfectly the first time.
• Use your craft for motivation when you feel frustrated that you can’t do something perfectly
• Display the crafts for a festive Fall/ Halloween Display and to encourage growth mindset and SEL development this Autumn season

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*~ I hope you are enjoying plenty of *Autumn* reading adventures this season, Mai Friends! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email to share your own *Pete the Cat* Cornucopia Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear about what you’re reading and learning!~*

Enjoy More Fall Read Aloud Videos Here!

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*

 *This post contains affiliate links, meaning a small percentage of your purchases will go to MaiStoryBook to help create Reading Resources for your littles*