Comments on: Beautiful Oops Moments Everywhere by Barney Saltzberg

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 18:55:44 +0000

I love all of your thoughtful comments, thank you! Honestly, this book has been life changing / perspective changing for us – and my kids are now celebrating the oops, almost looking for them so they can turn them into something beautiful.

Thanks again for this post, Barney!

Congratulations to Laurie, you’ve won A Beautiful Oops!

By: Tammy Gentry

Tammy Gentry — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 13:06:34 +0000

I love this idea! What a great book! I was in art for four years in high school and just about all my pieces made it in to the art show. It was something I just “did” and not until my mother pointed out that not everyone’s artwork gets in the show did I realize it’s a gift I need to appreciate. The biggest and best “oops” project I made was for my best friend. I had tons of pictures of us, many with “out takes” you’d never put in a photo album. I thought it’d be funny to cut one out and put it in a postcard I had on my desk. And there was my friend, really funny expression, looking like she was in a helicopter flying over NYC. I liked it so much that I bought tons of postcards and created a whole book about our “Great Adventure”, adding goofy shots of us into each one. I think I had more fun creating it as she did opening it!
I would give the book to my three children who are growing up in a culture that tells them their work should be “perfect”. They know that’s not my opinion and it would be nice to have a cool book like this back it up.
Thanks!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 01:42:00 +0000

I’d love to use this in the classroom to help illustrate the importance of trying. Many students are afraid to make mistakes when drawing or creating art. Art is a wonderfully adaptable medium of self-expression that should be enjoyed without fear.

By: Shelley

Shelley — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:54:36 +0000

I can’t decide…I would want to be selfless and give this to my sister-in-law for the holidays, but might end up keeping it for our family. We all need inspiration and reminders to enjoy the differences inherent in our own creations. Thanks

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 17:23:20 +0000

So creative! I just love it! We recently had many OOPS moments painting pumpkins, and when they were all done, each one looked PERFECT in it’s own way.
A book like this helps build confidence and shows children that “beauty and perfection” are truly in the eye of the beholder. Thank you!

By: Emily Leeds

Emily Leeds — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:35:30 +0000

I am a teacher and if I could count the number of times I would turn around for a second and then see an oops. Most times this happens with paint or glue.

By: Jennifer T.

Jennifer T. — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:27:45 +0000

This book really reminds me not to be so structured with my toddler. She was placing stickers on a book with outlines intended for the objects. She was really enjoying putting them on and learning how to peel and unpeel them. Meanwhile, it was driving my perfectionism tendencies to come to the surface. I made a conscious decision to relax and let her do it her way. I’d love to share this with my daughter. I need some reminding that oops can be beautiful.

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 23:22:35 +0000

My 5 year old just said, “Mom! I did a beautiful oops! I meant to draw a flower but I messed up so it because a person.” How cool is that?

Barney, we’re learning a whole new vocabulary and way of looking at mistakes thanks to you. 🙂

Melissa