Perfect

By Waka T. Brown, Yuko Jones

Price: $19.99

About the Book

*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. 

Product Details

ISBN: 9780063280229
Imprint: Quill Tree Books
On Sale: Oct 1, 2024
List price: $19.99
No of pages: 40
Trim Size: 9.300 in (w) x 11.250 in (h) x 0.500 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE FICTION / Diversity & Multicultural
BISAC 2: JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Multigenerational
BISAC 3: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:
BISAC 6:

Waka T. Brown

Biography

Waka T. Brown was the first American born in her family. She is a Stanford graduate with a master’s degree in secondary education. She’s currently an instructor at the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE), authoring curriculum on several international topics and winning the Association for Asian Studies’ national Franklin R. Buchanan Prize. She’s also been awarded the United States–Japan Foundation and EngageAsia’s national 2019 Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award for her groundbreaking endeavors in teaching about US-Japan relations to high school students in Japan and promoting cultural exchange awareness. She lives with her family in Portland, Oregon.

Yuko Jones

Biography

Yuko Jones was born and raised in Japan and spent much of her childhood drawing and painting. After completing her degrees in English, psychology, and human development, she embarked on her career in early childhood developmental research. While working with children, she realized how picture books can play a crucial role in their development, and she wanted to become part of the positive impact. When she is not illustrating, you will find her testing (and tasting) new baking recipes, savoring short stories and coffee, and practicing yoga. She lives in Western New York with her husband, two sons, a black cat, and two guinea pigs. Visit her online at yukojones.com.

Reviews

“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

“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)

“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)

“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

“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

About the Book

*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. 

Product Details

ISBN: 9780063280229
Imprint: Quill Tree Books
On Sale: Oct 1, 2024
List price: $19.99
No of pages: 40
Trim Size: 9.300 in (w) x 11.250 in (h) x 0.500 in (d)
BISAC 1: JUVENILE FICTION / Diversity & Multicultural
BISAC 2: JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Multigenerational
BISAC 3: JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
BISAC 4:
BISAC 5:
BISAC 6:

Waka T. Brown

Biography

Waka T. Brown was the first American born in her family. She is a Stanford graduate with a master’s degree in secondary education. She’s currently an instructor at the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE), authoring curriculum on several international topics and winning the Association for Asian Studies’ national Franklin R. Buchanan Prize. She’s also been awarded the United States–Japan Foundation and EngageAsia’s national 2019 Elgin Heinz Outstanding Teacher Award for her groundbreaking endeavors in teaching about US-Japan relations to high school students in Japan and promoting cultural exchange awareness. She lives with her family in Portland, Oregon.

Yuko Jones

Biography

Yuko Jones was born and raised in Japan and spent much of her childhood drawing and painting. After completing her degrees in English, psychology, and human development, she embarked on her career in early childhood developmental research. While working with children, she realized how picture books can play a crucial role in their development, and she wanted to become part of the positive impact. When she is not illustrating, you will find her testing (and tasting) new baking recipes, savoring short stories and coffee, and practicing yoga. She lives in Western New York with her husband, two sons, a black cat, and two guinea pigs. Visit her online at yukojones.com.

Reviews

“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

“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)

“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)

“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

“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

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