A NOT SO PERFECT START

A young girl approaches the first day of school with big feelings.

If Thea’s carefully curated checklist is any indication, then her “big day” should “be absolutely perfect.” She’s ready with her notebook, lucky pencil, and tissues, but her emotions require a bit more effort to manage: excitement over meeting her new teacher, hope that she’ll be liked, but “a lot of worry” at the prospect of making a mistake. Luckily, Ms. Howard gently welcomes Thea to her “caring classroom” and offers reassurance: “I get nervous when I’m in a new place and meet new people, too. So let’s just take it one day at a time.” Thea’s first day, alas, “is far from perfect,” but her second is better. The third day begins “nearly perfect,” but she’s later overwhelmed by frustration and anger when her drawings don’t turn out as she intended. Ms. Howard thoughtfully diverts Thea, suggesting that she assist her classmates. Their combined efforts bloom into messy but “perfectly wonderful” creations. Ludwig’s encouraging narrative provides plenty of reminders that art—and life—need not be flawless to be beautiful. Lechuga’s adds her own bright spark throughout her warm and invitingly busy classroom scenes. Thea has brown skin and curly hair; her classmates are diverse. A checklist of “Helpful Tips for Perfectly Imperfect YOU” is appended.

A convincing argument that perfection may be overrated but kindness never is.