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My Book of Beautiful Oops! Giveaway and Book Review

Hi!  I’m working with Workman Publishing to share a new book and giveaway with you!

Many art teachers use the book Beautiful Oops! in their classroom.   It’s one of my favorites!  It’s all about how even if you make a mistake, it’s an opportunity to turn it into something beautiful.  This link has some art projects I’ve taught using this book.

BUT… there is a brand new companion to Beautiful Oops!  This a creative personal journal for young artists aged 3 and up.

About My Book of Beautiful Oops!

A Scribble it, Smear it, Fold it, Tear it Journal for Young Artists

CoverArt-MyBookofBeautifulOops

(from Workman Publishing) MY BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL OOPS! is a hands-on journal that’s designed to help young hands and minds turn an “oops” into art. The friendly green alligator—familiar to readers of Beautiful Oops!—prompts the reader to imagine the possibilities of a bent page. Decorate a smudge. Play with splats and spills. Even complete a poem that was accidentally ripped in half.

Filled with folded, crumpled, die-cut, and lift-the-flap pages, the activities will challenge the reader’s sense of play as they draw in, paint on, tear up, smudge, and ultimately artistically wreck the book. MY BOOK OF BEAUTIFUL OOPS! champions imagination, play, and the courage to express oneself. It’s about self-forgiveness and about turning off that inner critic that clamors for perfection. And it’s about freedom—the freedom to be creative and follow curiosity wherever it goes. That’s a lesson to celebrate!

Beautiful Oops Journal 1

Here are my thoughts on the book.  I think it is really fun and a nice book for a young artist.  My 7 year old played with some of the pages.  Here is the alligator she drew from the tear down the side of the page.  Many of the pages are similar to the original book, but have room for the child to draw on.

beautiful oops journal alligator

This was my favorite page.  I don’t know why.  I just like the flaps.

Beautiful Oops Journal book

This was my second favorite page.  Those are holes in the paper with watercolor behind it.  I did an art project once with holes in the paper for the kids to turn into something else.

Beautiful Oops Journal

This was another page made by my 7 year old daughter. I love the giraffe she made! We used permanent markers on this book, because I was worried other materials would smear.  BUT..  I tested out other media.  Regular crayola markers work fine. I was surprised by that. The pages are a bit chunky and glossy (like the original book by Barney).  If you immediately rub your hand against the page after coloring, it will smear.  But, it dries pretty quickly and won’t continue to smudge.  Crayons also seemed to work nicely for me.  Colored pencils did not show up well.  I would think acrylic craft paints would do just fine as well.

Smudges and Smears art beautiful oops

Overall, I think this would be a great gift book for a child.  I wish there were more pages in this book (it is about the length of the original book), but the pages it has are colorful and creative.

Spills into something fun

Now for the GIVEAWAY!

One winner receives:

  • copy of My Book of Beautiful Oops!
  • and a kid’s artist kit including smock, paintbrushes, and palette.

Open to US addresses only.

Prizing and samples provided by Workman Publishing.

BeautifulOops-ArtistPrizePack

To enter the giveaway:

  1.  Leave a comment on this blog post and tell me if you do anything in the summer to prepare for next year (responses may be compiled in a future blog post.)
  2.  One winner will be chosen randomly.
  3.  Make sure to include your email address or a way to contact you.  If I cannot contact you easily, I will move on to the next winner.  Winners will have 3 days to email back with their mailing address or I will pick a new winner.

Giveaway will close July 12!

80_basic_borders-24

Visit the Official Site

Watch the Book Trailer on YouTube

Follow Barney Saltzberg:

Twitter| Instagram | Pinterest| Facebook

 Follow Workman Publishing:

Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook

About the Author

Barney Saltzberg is the author of more than 30 books for children, including Beautiful Oops!, A Little Bit of Oomph!, Good Egg, and the bestselling Touch and Feel Kisses series. Additionally, he’s recorded four albums of songs for children. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, two dogs, and a pond full of fish.

(Amazon Affiliate links have been used in the post.  That adds no extra cost to you and helps to support my blog. I only link to products I have used and recommend.)

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About Marcia Beckett

Marcia is an elementary art teacher and loves painting, drawing, sculpture, art journaling and clay. Her blog, Art is Basic, features many exciting art projects for kids.

93 Responses to My Book of Beautiful Oops! Giveaway and Book Review

  1. Andi Werboff says:

    Yes, I’m already preparing for the Fall. Taking pictures of things that inspire me. Tearing out pages in magazines. Grabbing recyclables from the street, drawing, reading blogs like yours, and becoming refreshed.

    • Vicky Siegel says:

      Love this new book! I read the original book to my classes each year! I do a ton of work in the summer for school: order supplies, plan my lessons, make new posters, etc.

  2. Kathy says:

    Researching ideas, artists, art books and planning whole school first week of school art projects!

  3. Sally H says:

    So excited to see this journal based on the book my students love! I am already going in and prepping my room for the fall….cleaned out all of my examples and organized thgem I to grade levels today…there is never enough time when we go back in August.

  4. Robi Sombrio says:

    I just heard of this book last night. It sounds amazing! Love journaling for all ages. I have a huge bag that is full of supplies I have already collected for next year’s lessons waiting to take to school. I never stop looking for lesson ideas. I have been to some great PD’s this summer.

  5. Katie Morris says:

    I’m working on creating “pathways” that my advanced students could follow with techniques and ideas for different media. I also attended a workshop to learn about batik so we can do that in the fall. 🙂

  6. Laura Mchugh says:

    I would LOVE to win this book..I was a middle school art teacher for 13 years and now was asked to teach elementary school and I am so excited about it, and this book would be perfect for me to share with my students…I have been so busy getting ready to teach grades that I have never taught before…looking for inspirations, new lesson ideas, classroom ideas…and making and creating new lesson plans….

  7. Courtney says:

    I’m a first time art teacher this year so I’ve been spending tons of time in my art room getting ready for next year. It’s a hot mess but I’m seeing light at the end of the tunnel finally.

  8. Elizabeth says:

    I spend my summer writing lessons and researching works of art that will inspire myself and my students. I also create art to share with my classes.

  9. Amy W. says:

    I love this book and am excited to see the hands-on version! I have been busy this week working on lesson plans, experimenting with projects and organizing supplies in my classroom. Good luck to everyone for a great new school year!

  10. Can’t wait to get this book! As far as preparing for the school year I am doing very little of that currently. I need to recharge myself so I can mentally & physically be able to take on the tasks to come!

  11. I am always preparing for and thinking about the new year. I use a theme every year so I make the characters for that theme. I am always looking for new ideas and projects to try!

  12. Janet Jones says:

    Can’t wait to get the new book! I plan my art lessons, decorate my room and plan schoolwide activities I would like to spearhead. This year I will be painting part of my classroom and crossing my fingers that my program gets a new kiln!

  13. Teresa Hamlin says:

    I prepare monthly art activities that will encourage creativity and imagination. I enjoy trying different art ideas every year. It keeps my job fun and interesting!

  14. Christy says:

    Wonderful gift for all art teachers! Getting ready for the upcoming school year includes rejuvenating self by creating art for exhibitions, attending art shows, and making art with our grandchildren!

  15. Clara Maye Crosby says:

    Oh yes, I do lots to be ready for the next year! I recharge my batteries by creating my own art, reading as often as I can. I spend time in the garden, with grandkids and my pets. All of this is important to my coming back full and ready to give it all back to my students!

  16. Roberta Langman says:

    I love this book and have used it in class. I spend my summer teaching art in camp and researching for new projects.

  17. Kimberly Schultze says:

    Thank you for this opportunity. This summer I have been preparing my long range plans for the school year, which also includes making samples of my new lessons that I’m planning and trying some of them out with the kids that I am working with this summer. I hope this planning will help me be more prepared this coming school year and not do so much planning and searching on the weekends or the night before I needed to start a new lesson. Thanks again.

  18. Miriam says:

    I love reading beautiful oops every time because of its philosophy; how one can turn their “mistakes” into something beautiful. It’s amazing to see how the children react and their imagination blossoms.

    This will be my first year getting ready. I attended a meeting with teachers to come up with a curriculum.

    I’ve been going back to my past examples from college, art books, magazines, art museums, art blueprint, pinterest, photographs, finding things around me to come up with new art projects.

    It makes me nervous because it will be my first the first year in a new public school, but it is also exciting to learn and explore new ideas.

  19. Amanda Shaw says:

    Yes I am preparing for the Fall! I am creating new lesson examples and lesson planning the first few months of school. This book looks fun!

  20. Jonna Holgate says:

    Love the Beautiful Oops! I can’t wait to see the journal. As I prepare for the fall, planning the introduction of after school art club for 3d and 4th grade in my K-4 school.

  21. Steph says:

    Love, love, love this book! I wish I could give one to each of my students!!

    • Steph says:

      Oh and I’m obsessively planning all summer on every aspect of my teaching! New dynamic lessons- adding more cross curricular, flexible seating ideas, incorporating more artists, etc.!

  22. Donna Staten says:

    Thanks for posting- that book looks awesome! Love Beautiful Oops AND your blog! I think art teachers are always planning- whether on paper or in our heads- can’t turn it off! I always try out new projects and take classes in the summer. Thanks for entering me…you know where to find me 😉 Donna Staten on Pinterest; @studio.staten on IG; @artgirl2 on twitter.

  23. Melony Fielder says:

    Wow! What a fun prize. That book looks like so much fun! In the summers, I review and evaluate what I did the previous year. Then I decide what I want to keep the same and what needs to change. I also try to come up with projects that use the art supplies that I have left over, and then decide what I need to order. Always look for new ideas on Pinterest or in my Facebook groups.

  24. Yvonne Mercado says:

    My mind is always working on lessons for next year! This book looks amazing! I’m always on the lookout for new lessons and this is opening up a lot of possibilities…

  25. Sandy Jimenez says:

    Yes, I’m already working and planning for the next school year. I’m looking for inspiration for classroom decorations and displays. I’m looking back at the projects I taught this year and deciding what to keep in the line-up, what needs adjustments to be better, or what ideas need to be tossed completely. And I’m trying to refresh myself to come back and do it better next school year.

  26. Sandra Blair says:

    I have changed schools and grade levels this summer. I went from high school to elementary so I am re working almost everything over the summer. I have also startede to collect art books to fill an art reading library. This would be a wonderful addition to that library!

  27. Andrea says:

    I’ve been working on reading educational books, helped put on a TAB workshop for art teachers, and hosted a few art workshops at my home studio this summer! Excited to get your new book!

  28. Donika says:

    I love summer, I do a lot of research for new ideas to include in lessons plans like visiting street fairs and flea markets…..got some pretty wild ideas.

  29. Rychelle Boden says:

    I’m always looking for new ideas for lesson plans. I haven’t read these books yet, so I really appreciate your detailed review! I will definitely grab a copy before school starts! Thanks so much!

  30. Kimberly DiLauro Rief says:

    I love your book! In the summer, I love trying new mediums and new art projects! I call it my time to “play” and find new lessons for my students!!!

  31. Linda Brett says:

    I’ve been working towards the fall all summer. Currently I’m in NYC ready to visit all the amazing museums here. Can’t wait to show the art here to my kids. This will be my first full year as an art teacher, after 30 years as an artist I’m thrilled to be an art teacher.

  32. Jennifer says:

    Starting to read books on how to run my art room 🙂

  33. I’m so excited to see this! What a fun idea!! It could be adapted up and down for different grade levels. I have completely gutted and reorganized my classroom and I’ve found LOTS of things to help me focus on a mixed media year! I’m so excited! I’m also a Pinterest fool!! The best thing I’ve done, however, is join Art Teacher specific groups on Facebook. Sometimes we feel so alone within our buildings. Knowing there’s others out there with the same struggles is comforting (not to mention the lesson plan ideas!).

  34. In the fall I will be transitioning from K-5 art teacher to 6-12… so this summer I am working hard to get ready by reorganizing my new classroom, attending and hosting workshops, and collaborating with other art teachers in my state to create a curriculum that I’m excited to lead next fall!

  35. michelle gajda says:

    I am spending part of my summer organizing and planning an afterschool art journaling class for students…..so far I have some great plans and I am looking forward to getting started with the kids. Thanks for the opportunity for this new book! It looks like great fun!

  36. Jerri roberts says:

    I love beautiful oops! I read it to every class at the beginning of art camps. I’m constantly looking for art ideas even in the summer. I get some ideas from children’s biographies of artists. Robertsjerri1011@gmail,com

  37. Mary Kulas says:

    Your book sounds fantastic! I might need to keep a few extra to give away as gifts. I do a ton of work in the summer in my quest to be prepared for the school year – reorganizing supplies and teaching materials – trying to fight my hoarding tendencies:)

  38. Lisa says:

    I’ve been working on my curriculum maps for the year. Since last year was my first year to teach art I’ve been reflecting on what worked and changing things that didn’t.

  39. Dana Bach says:

    Love Barney’s books! This summer, I’ve been doing some research on adding more choice based learning in my artroom for the next school year and stepping away from more teacher directed lessons. It’s daunting. (Flusteredchaos@yahoo.com)

  40. Anastacia says:

    I love that this is the perfect way to introduce kids to the Visual Journals they will be doing in High School. Thank you for giving us a peak into a great addition to our room!

  41. Maggie Thompson says:

    I love your new book. Everyday I’m working on ideas I have for next year, Working at two schools K-5 I have my work cut out for me. Always looking for new ideas to keep the younger ones engaged, this book has inspired me.

  42. Ellen G. says:

    I search through garage sales, Dollar trees and flea markets to find useful accessories for my classroom. Also keep an eye out for new and different lessons from Pinterest.

  43. Ashley Kittrell says:

    I have pinned a few ideas. So far, that’s it Pretty sure I will get a little more productive in the next weeks since I go back the end of this month.

  44. Brandi Juarez says:

    Pinterest, pinterest, pinterest! I have been pinning away ideas all summer. This will be my second year teaching, so I’m hoping I have more of a grasp on things. I’ve also been making my CHAMPS poster, something our whole district uses.

  45. Cherie Peterson says:

    Love the book and refer to it all year long as the children create art and discover a beautiful oops!

  46. Robbie Lipe says:

    THIS summer I’ve decided to recreate my recurring curriculum of starting with the art elements, especially since I will be on a cart for the first time! The entrepreneurial spirit has grown with each generation and these kids are going to want to create and invent more than previous generations. So why not spend the first part of the year teaching creativit: how to create from what they see (or have) right around them.

    Starting with activities from this book, Ed Emberley books (he starts with basic lines & shapes), and bringing in STEM/STEAM investigatory team projects, I’d like to develop exploratory thinking, the kids will be having so much fun, they won’t even know they are building their brain banks!

    • Kari says:

      I’ve been wanting to work in a STEAM focus. I’ll have to search for what you’re talking about with Ed Emberly. Thanks for the tip.

  47. Maria Nazario says:

    Im working for new ideas for the next year!!!!!

  48. Juanita says:

    I have collected tons of ideas from art teacher blogs and Pinterest. I am now going through and deciding on what will go into my lesson plans. What I choose also depends on what supplies I have.

  49. Janice M. Schiavo says:

    I am organizing all my lessons and examples until winter break. I am also writing two grants to help obtain additional funding for all the grades. I have attended an art conference that assisted me with ideas for future art writing lessons and substitute teacher plans.Being ready and organized will allow more time to focus on the 825 students.

  50. Christine M Garmong says:

    Awesome!!! I am always looking for new lessons for my students.

  51. cpheuter says:

    Over the summer I work to not only update my electronic portfolio, or stock of lessons as well as revisit my behavior management plan. I also work to take my new knowledge from my year of teaching, what I’ve observed, and reflect so I can adjust my lessons for the upcoming year accordingly.

    Also, the book looks amazing and this giveaway is AWESOME!

  52. Jennifer Harold says:

    I have not started prepping for the fall yet! I let myself have the first month of the break to enjoy my own kids and once the 4th of July passes I started my planning (guess I better get started!). I’m researching TAB this summer for my middle schoolers and testing ideas on my 9 and 6 yr old at home 🙂

  53. Kathy Etringer says:

    I love this book and use it with my kids at school. I am always on the lookout for new and creative ideas. I lead the Children’s Art At our town’s Art Fair so I spend part of my summer preparing for that.

  54. Heather Gordon says:

    I haven’t read these books yet but would love a copy.
    I have some curriculum work to be done this summer. I am going to teach each of my classes twice in a cycle this year with half of the year focusing on Maker Space type projects. So I have a lot of work ahead of me. But I’m very excited!

  55. Kari Limbert says:

    Love these books! Over the summer I try to outline new units and organize supplies. Working on incorporating social emotional learning this year.

  56. Theresa says:

    I rework my curriculum based on projects that I get the best response from the students…

  57. LeAnn Barnhart says:

    My summer PD includes some additional training in ceramics, focusing on glazing and using my kiln more efficiently.

  58. Andrean Andrus says:

    I love Beautiful Oops! I use it every year with my PK and K students. I travel in the summer and always come back with amazing new ideas! I was in a Paris hotel and saw paintings using t-shirts for face portraits! I tried it with my 8th graders and they turned out amazing. I enjoy NAEA webinars too. Great ideas from my couch! Thank you for entering me in this drawing! aandrus@graland.org

  59. Dianna Deerfield Ray says:

    I do some type of professional development (either online or face to face), try to attend an art show or visit a gallery or museum, and off and on reading art teacher blogs, Pinterest, collecting materials.

  60. Donna Woods says:

    This Summer I am teaching an enrichment class and preparing for a parents orientation night in August! At camp I already have plans to use this wonderful book as fun art inspiration! Thanks great offer! Good luck to all!!!

  61. Carol says:

    Summer is a time to try out classroom ideas on my neighbors and grandkids. The last thing a teacher wants it to have an idea that seems good in my head, but turns out to be a FLOP in reality.

  62. Denise Pelosi says:

    I am editing the art curriculum in my district for the summer. I am making connections with art integration and steam. I am also taking a course on critical thinking in the classroom.

  63. Yvonne TILLEY says:

    I’ve never seen this, but fell in love with the idea immediately. I teach gifted and work year around planning my theme for the coming year. Perfectionism is pervasive in gifted people and must be addressed through my curriculum created over the summer. “OOPS!” as a theme offers a huge number of options for addressing it. It is easy and beneficial to teach students the art of peer pressure. I envision a classroom with lots of “OOPS!” and giggles! What a wonderful alternative to ripping up and crumbling paper, giving up when something doesn’t go right, and sitting and staring instead of starting a project.

  64. Tiffney says:

    This is the first time I’m reading about it. It seems interesting. I have to go look for the first book. I have started gathering materials, researching, writing out ideas and thoughts as well as printing what is needed. Ensuring everything I can do is ready for my little ones when they come back to school.

  65. Ronda says:

    I’ve been an elementary teacher for 2 decades, and now am excited to enter the art teaching world! I have been scouring the internet for great blogs and information to educate myself. Thanks to all those that share wonderful ideas, lessons and books to teach with. 🙂 I am building my art teaching arsenal.

  66. Marcia Scurfield says:

    Summer is time to recharge the batteries, take inventory of the art supplies in my closets and make plans for the next year. My most creative lessons come from, “What could we do with THIS?” Love the book, “Beautiful Oops” because it helps students see that there are not mistakes, only opportunities for creative thought.

  67. Allie L says:

    I’m excited for this new book! I teach art at a camp during the summer. It’s been giving me lots of inspiration for projects to do during the school year!

  68. Thanks for sharing info about this book in your blog. It looks wonderful! I love the original and have used it with my students in class. My book of beautiful ups is definitely added onto my want list. Planning for next year?… Never really stopped… Just got back from a great art teacher workshop in Tennessee where we made art projects all day. Can’t wait to try them out with my kiddos. Also have already begun shopping for my classroom to start fall out fresh.

  69. Emily says:

    I try to prepare, but I tend to fall behind. I find when I don’t stress too much about making sure everything is perfect, things seem to fall into place. So, I suppose my answer is “sort of”. 🙂

  70. Christy Becnel says:

    Thanks for the blog post! This summer, my brain is in overload, trying to compile lots of notes, drawings and collected images to plan FUN and educational lessons for my students 🙂

  71. Kari says:

    I’m just a volunteer teacher and our program is about 10 weeks starting in January. But I do want to use the summer to learn and grow so here’s what I’m doing.

    I’m preparing for next year by reading a couple blogs (yours and one other for now). Also planning to head to an art museum with my family today. Wanting to try some technique videos too but haven’t had time. Checked out some books from the library that I’ll look at just before they are due!

  72. Kelley Jowers says:

    SO GLAD I came upon your blog! I just graduated with my Master’s degree in Art Education.

    I’m a FIRST year split position elementary art teacher! So, I will be having 2 schools to need ideas for! I was searching your tips on what to do the first days and everyones helpful comments! I know I got this, but I’m still anxious for my first year. This book would be wonderful to add to my classrooms and start the year off on the right path!

    But thank you for your blog! It’s officially in my bookmarks! 🙂

  73. Mar says:

    I’be been busy since we left school. My brain in full of ideas and things to change for next Fall. I’m reading a few books and next Tuesday I’ve been enrolled to do a course about art with music.

  74. latanya says:

    I am not a teacher, but my son loves to draw and I enjoy helping him to learn new techniques.

  75. Yasmin Lilly says:

    I teach kindergarten and as a parting gift at the end of the year, I send each student home with a personal copy of “Beautiful Oops” to encourage them to continue turning their oops’ into something beautiful and creative. I was so excited to learn about the new companion book because it will allow the children to apply what they learned in the original book.
    Back to your original question, I prep, plan, organize, and read blogs such as “Artisbasic” to get new ideas and refine some lessons. I also attend professional developments to continue to refresh my teaching practice.

  76. Rose Mont says:

    I stock pile ideas for different themes and seasons on Pinterest over the summer to use in the upcoming year! This looks like such a creative motivator for my daughter. She loves art and is such a free spirit.

  77. I always try to be healthier and a better person each year. 🙂

    mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net

  78. Kim says:

    I’ve been planning quire a bit this summer. I’ve begun creating a visual curriculum map, a sub tub and I’ve made a few samples. I began my year last year reading Beautiful Oops. It was a huge hit with the kids and really helped kids get over making an “Oops” over the course of the year.

  79. April says:

    Love the new book! My kiddos (age 5-6) FREAK out when their ideas don’t show up on their paper. What a fun way to teach a new direction in creating. I make art during the summer to remind myself of tip, thoughts and ideas on educating young ones.

  80. Sarah says:

    That book looks awesome!! I’m preparing for the upcoming year by scouring Pinterest and art blogs for ideas and lesson plans!

  81. Cheri Deardorff says:

    I am redecorating my classroom to show my continuing students that: “change is good, sometimes doing art gives you more ideas and that you should always be open to art opportunities” (i.e. blogs and Pinterest, wink wink!)

  82. Stacy Sims says:

    Planning and preparing activities for centers.

  83. Heather Kasdan says:

    During the summer, I look over my curriculum and projects to reflect on what worked and what could improve. I try to do some PD over the summer and spend sometime on my own work to become refreshed at the start of the year.

  84. Jill Bellia says:

    Yes, I am preparing for the upcoming school year! I have attended a workshop to learn about new materials, have gone to a few art openings, am planning a Family Arts Night to be held in early fall, and am participating in a book club in which we are reading a book about teaching! Whew! It’s busy but I am able to do it all on my own time.

  85. Michelle Kennedy says:

    I update lesson plans, look for new ideas, and am currently adding my entire curriculum to our new Learning Management System, Schoology.

  86. Katie Mech says:

    I spend part of my summer checking all of the art supplies and ordering for the school. This is besides sanitizing all the manipulatives and toys in my kindergarten classroom.

  87. Amber Malkus says:

    Working on introducing new apps and technology to the classroom. We are 1:1 and I was working on a Youtube playlist of kids books and the kids LOVED “Beautiful Oops”. Technology is nice but I love having a physical book too!

  88. Liliana Greenberg says:

    This summer I am going to museums to get inspired and also writing a whole new k-8 curriculum. I would love to have the things in this giveaway for use in my classroom or to use as a reward for a special student!!

  89. Kimmy Ripley says:

    I shop all of the sales and start getting BTS clothes early so it isn’t so overwhelming in August. I would love love love to win this book! Looks so cool!

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