MORI THE PERFECT DOG

This children’s picture book celebrates a messy—and dearly loved—family pet.

Mori, an all-white dog with a pink tongue and black nose, has wonderfully soft, fluffy fur; as he states, “Everyone says I am perfect especially after bath time.” But Mori doesn’t want to be perfect; instead, he imagines the enchanting imperfection of being “muddy” (like a brown bear), “slimy” (like a green frog), “grubby” (like a pink pig), “scruffy” (like a yellow lion), “stinky” (like a red raccoon), and so on. But there’s nothing to worry about, his family says, as he’s already all these things, “but we still love you!” Now reassured that it’s OK to be himself, Mori rejoices and enjoys his bath. In her debut children’s book, Lam avoids tiresome moralizing about the virtues of cleanliness, recognizing that many children, like Mori, relish making a mess, which can be fun and creative. Of course, messy, stinky dogs, as well as kids, still need baths, but it’s easier without pressure to be perfect. The book has excellent read-aloud potential, making effective use of repetition and parallel phrases. Lam’s simple but charming and expressive colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations convey Mori’s personality while also helping to teach color names.

A delightful bathtime (or anytime) book perfect for reading aloud.