Perfect - by Waka T Brown (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

*Bank Street Best Book of the Year * Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Book of the Year * CCBC Choices Title * Oregon Spirit Book Award Honor

Author Waka T. Brown and artist Yuko Jones join forces for this picture book about a young girl who learns to appreciate life's imperfections when her grandmother teachers her about the Japanese art form kintsugi.

Miki Amelia Masuda liked everything in her life to be perfect. Her room was immaculately clean. She only ate round cookies, not the broken ones. And if a stuffed animal had a tear in it, she couldn't bear to look at it. So when she accidentally drops and breaks her favorite teacup, she's devastated. How can a broken teacup ever be perfect again?

Days later, Miki's grandmother, Obaachan, presents Miki with the fixed teacup. But it's not perfect! Each crack is highlighted by a gold streak of paint--almost as if to show off the imperfections!

What follows is one girl's journey to understanding that life isn't always perfect. Through the art of kintsugi, Waka and Yuko show readers--and Miki--that rips, cracks, and tears have their own stories to tell, ones that are meaningful in their own way.

Review Quotes

"Universal emotions and cultural specifics combine to tell a story whose words and art are a perfect match for each other in their charm and lyricism. What a lovely book." - Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling author

Perfect is a tender, charming story sure to resonate with the smallest readers. Alongside Miki, they will discover that what appears dire and chaotic often leads to new and sometimes even better ways of seeing the world. - Eric Rohmann, Caldecott Award-winning medalist of My Friend Rabbit

"Jones' endearingly soft illustrations are endlessly clever and tactful about conveying Brown's sprightly and insightful intergenerational narrative." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The straightforward storytelling and illustration, the portrayal of a strong intergenerational relationship, and the book's antiperfectionist theme make this thought-provoking book a memorable one as well." - Booklist (starred review)

"Brown's poignant, tender prose expertly depicts Miki's emotional ups and downs, enhanced by Jones' sweet yet elegantly composed art, full of light and vivid color. Together, author and illustrator bring to life the quiet dramas of childhood, gently imparting a powerful lesson that will linger with readers. The perfect tale to demonstrate the importance of finding beauty in life's imperfections." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Naturalistic mixed-media spreads by Jones [and] methodical text from Brown conveys growth [and] models how to repair and restore instead of insisting on flawlessness." - Publishers Weekly