Best Children’s Books About Perseverance: 5 Picks Compared

A child who gives up at the first hard page is who the best children’s books about perseverance are written for. This list compares five picture books about perseverance by author, page count, publication date and reading age, plus four more picks, using only what each listing publishes.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Jabari Tries by Cornwall	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Lou Couldn't Do by Spires	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Try Again by Estrada	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Gritty Ninja by Nhin	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Dragon Persevere by Herman	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Jabari Tries by Cornwall

Gaia Cornwall·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page picture book for preschoolers to grade 3 about a boy who keeps trying.

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Pros

• Reading age 4 to 5 years, grade Preschool to 3
• Candlewick publisher, September 8, 2020
• 32 pages, illustrated edition

Cons

• 2020 edition is not the newest listed here
• No publisher series is stated
• Reading age marked from customers only

2

Lou Couldn't Do by Spires

Ashley Spires·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 32-page picture book, reading age 5 to 9, about a girl who learns to try new things.

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Pros

• Reading age 5 to 9 years, grade Preschool to 2
• Kids Can Press, May 2, 2017
• 32 pages, illustrated edition

Cons

• 2017 edition is the oldest listed here
• Reading age marked from customers only
• No series is stated

3

Try Again by Estrada

Elizabeth Estrada·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 35-page rhyming picture book, reading age 5 to 8, about trying again.

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Pros

• Rhyming verses and colorful illustrations, per the listing
• Reading age 5 to 8 years, March 19, 2021
• Book 2 of 18 in the Teacher and Therapist Toolbox series

Cons

• Independently published
• Reading age marked from customers only
• No grade level is stated

4

Gritty Ninja by Nhin

Mary Nhin·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 31-page picture book, reading age 3 to 8, about dealing with frustration.

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Pros

• Reading age 3 to 8 years, February 16, 2020
• Book 12 of 13 in the Ninja Life Hacks series
• Growth mindset themes, per the listing

Cons

• Reading age marked from customers only
• No grade level is stated
• 31 pages is the shortest listed here

5

Dragon Persevere by Herman

Steve Herman·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 50-page picture book, reading age 4 to 10, about a dragon who keeps trying.

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Pros

• 50 pages is the longest listed here
• Reading age 4 to 10 years, September 27, 2021
• Book 49 of 68 in the My Dragon Books series

Cons

• No grade level is stated
• Reading age not marked from customers
• Longest book may suit older readers better

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More picks to compare

• A Little SPOT of Perseverance by AlberFor spot fans: a story about not giving up.Check on Amazon
• The Grit Book by FletcherFor grit: a little story about not giving up.Check on Amazon
• Perseverance Is My Superpower by OrtegoFor superpower fans: perseverance as a superpower.Check on Amazon
• Kids Book About Perseverance by LermerFor direct reading: a kids book about perseverance.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. All five listings give a reading age, four of them marked by Amazon as from customers, and two give a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best children’s books about perseverance

Match the reading age to the child

Reading ages here run from 3 to 8 years on the Gritty Ninja to 4 to 10 years on the Dragon book, with the Jabari at 4 to 5 years and a grade level of Preschool to 3. Four of the five ages are marked as from customers, not the publisher, so treat them as a starting point. A 4 year old and a 9 year old need different books, even on the same topic.

Series or standalone

Three of the five belong to series: the Estrada is Book 2 of 18, the Nhin is Book 12 of 13 in Ninja Life Hacks, and the Herman is Book 49 of 68 in My Dragon Books. A series gives you more books if the child asks for another; a standalone like the Jabari or the Lou ends cleanly. For more picture books on growing up, see our best children’s books about growing up and best children’s books about adventure lists.

Check the publication date

Dates run from May 2, 2017 on the Lou to September 27, 2021 on the Dragon, with the Jabari at September 8, 2020, the Nhin at February 16, 2020 and the Estrada at March 19, 2021. Page counts run from 31 to 50 pages. A newer book is not automatically better, but check the date against the reader’s shelf.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age: four of the five ages are marked as from customers, and two listings also give a grade level.
• Check the series position: three books are mid-series, so buy Book 1 first if the child wants the whole story.
• Check the page count: 31 pages suits a short sitting, 50 pages suits a longer one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these books should I start with?

The Jabari Tries ranks first here: a 32-page picture book with a reading age of 4 to 5 years and a grade level of Preschool to 3.

Is there a rhyming book here?

The Estrada lists rhyming verses and colorful illustrations, at 35 pages with a reading age of 5 to 8 years.

Which book suits the oldest readers?

The Herman’s A Dragon Has To Persevere lists a reading age of 4 to 10 years at 50 pages, the widest age range here.

Still deciding? Our top pickJabari Tries by Cornwall

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: picture books, growing up, adventure and diversity.