One of my all-time favorite picture books is Last Stop on Market Place by Matt de la Peña, which I have recommended before. This author knows how to find beauty where most people might not see it. So I was excited to read his newest book, The Perfect Place, and it did not disappoint. It is really hard not to think other people have it better than we do, especially for a child, but Lucas learns that “perfectly imperfect” might be the best thing of all. Once again, highly recommended for children and adults alike.
From Amazon:
Lucas goes to the perfect school in the perfect neighborhood. And when he gets perfect grades, he feels like he fits right in.
But life at home is not so perfect. His dad’s old work truck keeps breaking down. His mom works long hours at her job at the diner. And Lucas has to share his small room with his baby sister.
One night, Lucas is awakened by a strange light, which he follows all the way to the place where the perfect people live. Everything there is more beautiful than he could have imagined. But the longer Lucas stays, the more he wonders what it really means to be perfect. Does it mean never making mistakes? Does it mean rejecting his bustling neighborhood and his loving family? And what’s so great about being perfect, anyway?
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