Series: Best Start
Publisher: Boys Town Press
Illustrator: Dale Crawford
Publication Date: August 4, 2026
ISBN: 979-8889070535
Grades: PreK-4
Ages: 3-9
Price: $11.95
The Big Oops! is a tender and touching tale about having the courage to try, accepting and learning from mistakes, being resilient, showing creativity, and discovering that every “oops” can lead to something wonderful.
When Scooter is told he can paint anything he wants, he chooses his best friend in the world – Pudgy the Penguin. But the moment his brush touches the canvas, things start to go disastrously wrong.
First, the bright color Scooter uses for Pudgy’s beak drips down the canvas, leaving a trail that makes Pudgy look like he has a long orange tail – oops!
Sad and dejected, Scooter wants to give up and start over. But before he can toss his picture away, Rufus the Monkey tells him to keep painting. After all, with a tail like that, Pudgy could swing through the trees just like Rufus. So Scooter keeps the little mess-up.
Seconds later, Ollie the Bull bumps into Scooter’s desk. The commotion causes the paintbrush to jerk up then down. Now Pudgy looks like he has a horn on his head – oops!
Again, Scooter wants to scrap everything and start over. But Ollie offers another idea. Why not paint a second horn and make Pudgy look strong and honest, just like him? So Scooter keeps the mistake and adds to it.
Finally, when Scooter is ready to put the finishing touches on his painting, a sudden sneezing spell splatters specks of paint all over Pudgy’s picture – big oops!
Scooter begins to cry, certain he really does need to start all over. But Sprinkles the Snake suggests adding even more splatter. That way Pudgy can look super colorful, just like Sprinkles! So Scooter adds more dots and drips, hoping the blunder turns into a splash of brilliance.
What will Pudgy say when he sees he has a tail, horns, and a body spotted in a rainbow of color?
This is the second title in the award-winning Best START children’s series, a collection of stories that are infused with early mathematics and awesome people skills. A special page with tips to help little ones explore new challenges, feel safe making mistakes, and grow from them is included for parents and educators.