MYERS, Maya. Not Perfect. illus. by Hyewon Yum. 40p. Holiday House/Neal Porter. Apr. 2024. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780823451708.
PreS-Gr 2–Dot excels in many areas, yet perfection always seems just out of reach. She lives in the shadow of her seemingly flawless family members, even their pet cat. Despite her efforts to bake cupcakes, play soccer, and master the piano, she falls short of perfection in each endeavor. When tasked with creating a poster of someone she admires, Dot faces frustration as her attempts fall flat. After tearing up her failures and taking a breather, she finds inspiration in the colorful paper shreds. In a stroke of creativity, she crafts a mosaic of her best friend. In class, her friend unveils an imperfect drawing of Dot, leading them to embrace the imperfections in their friendship. The endearing colored pencil illustrations complement this heartwarming tale, teaching children the value of perseverance and self-acceptance. VERDICT An sweet narrative promoting resilience and embracing imperfection, this is an amiable addition to the shelves.–Kirsten Caldwell
