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Perfect
A fussy eraser and a mischievous pencil spar in this picture book adventure.
In this funny and light-hearted picture book, a fussy eraser tries to keep the pages clean by erasing the scribbles of a mischievous pencil. But before long, the eraser discovers what can happen when two opposing forces come together to have fun. With humor and a keen eye for play, Max Amato crafts a delightful story that reveals the joys of collaborative imagination.
In this funny and light-hearted picture book, a fussy eraser tries to keep the pages clean by erasing the scribbles of a mischievous pencil. But before long, the eraser discovers what can happen when two opposing forces come together to have fun. With humor and a keen eye for play, Max Amato crafts a delightful story that reveals the joys of collaborative imagination.
48 pages, Hardcover
Published January 29, 2019
15 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
March 27, 2019
I was very pleasantly surprised by this clever, playful and hilarious battle of the wits between a pencil and an eraser. Recommended for readers of all ages.
January 31, 2019
An eraser and a pencil come into conflict in this debut picture-book from author/artist Max Amato, the former preferring the page to be pristine and white, the latter happiest when the page is full of scribbles. At first the eraser tries to keep up with the pencil, "fixing" the messes he has made, but eventually he discovers that is he works with the smudges, he can create beautiful art. It turns out that the pencil and the eraser are perfect together...
An engaging examination of the creative process, and how seemingly oppositional impulses - the "free spirit" embodied by the pencil, the desire for order represented by the eraser - can be harnessed together to produce worthwhile results, Perfect is a book I appreciated, more than I enjoyed. The theme of creativity, and using "mistakes" to make art has also been explored in such titles as What If... and The Book of Mistakes , both of which I prefer, from an aesthetic perspective. That said, I really did like the idea of using the eraser to "reveal" images, as it were, as this reminded me of illustrator Floyd Cooper's methodology, in which he does just that, using an eraser on painted panels, slowly creating images that way. Recommended to readers looking for new picture-books about creating art, and working with what you have (including pencil scribbles).
An engaging examination of the creative process, and how seemingly oppositional impulses - the "free spirit" embodied by the pencil, the desire for order represented by the eraser - can be harnessed together to produce worthwhile results, Perfect is a book I appreciated, more than I enjoyed. The theme of creativity, and using "mistakes" to make art has also been explored in such titles as What If... and The Book of Mistakes , both of which I prefer, from an aesthetic perspective. That said, I really did like the idea of using the eraser to "reveal" images, as it were, as this reminded me of illustrator Floyd Cooper's methodology, in which he does just that, using an eraser on painted panels, slowly creating images that way. Recommended to readers looking for new picture-books about creating art, and working with what you have (including pencil scribbles).
January 4, 2019
{My thoughts} – Perfect is a brilliantly written picture book. The eraser in this book is constantly trying to keep things perfectly clean on each of the pages. Pencil however, is the complete opposite, drawing and scribbling and making so many messes that eraser is always cleaning up.
I really enjoyed this book with my daughter. It helped to show that even though messes are made, that they can be cleaned up. It also helped to show her that some messes can be made into something beautiful!
The pages in this book are written in short sentences and have really simple illustrations. It is easy to understand and easy to follow along with. My daughter seemed to enjoy having the book read to her. She even wanted to read it again.
I recommend this book for any child. It is one of those books that can have the greatest impact. It's a simple and easy to read book. Hopefully it has the potential to become a much loved book in your home as it seems to be on the path of becoming in our home.
I really enjoyed this book with my daughter. It helped to show that even though messes are made, that they can be cleaned up. It also helped to show her that some messes can be made into something beautiful!
The pages in this book are written in short sentences and have really simple illustrations. It is easy to understand and easy to follow along with. My daughter seemed to enjoy having the book read to her. She even wanted to read it again.
I recommend this book for any child. It is one of those books that can have the greatest impact. It's a simple and easy to read book. Hopefully it has the potential to become a much loved book in your home as it seems to be on the path of becoming in our home.
February 2, 2019
This book is freakin adorable. An eraser is proud to be able able to clean up messes and make things look pristine. In comes pencil to make a mess. The eraser has it all under control until the pencil goes wild and is marking up the whole book! What eraser comes to find out is that they work better with each other than against each other. They balance each other out and are, in a sense, perfect for each other. The illustrations are funny and totally make the story. The eraser shavings look completely realistic and you'd have to stop yourself from wiping them away. This is a fun kids book that people of all ages would like.
January 28, 2019
Added to my growth mindset list.
March 8, 2019
Perfect! I love how the pencil and eraser, who started having totally different goals, learned to work together. And it's hilarious.
August 9, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It’s simply told (and illustrated) but had a big message.
April 26, 2019
An eraser, who likes his pages to be squeaky clean, chases after a mischievous, and prolific, pencil. When the pencil draws an army of additional pencils to join him, the eraser struggles to keep up. Who will win this game of cat and mouse, or pencil and eraser? The illustrations contain an animated eraser, an animated pencil, and all the pencil drawings and doodles of the pencil character. A fun concept with a satisfying ending.
March 28, 2019
Reading this book was an odd experience for me. First I was sympathetic to the eraser, but then it was really mean to the pencil! Then the pencil got really mean! By the end I was way, way too invested in the emotional well-being of a couple of office supplies.
March 28, 2019
It was very close to perfect.
February 9, 2019
An eraser is obsessed with keeping the page perfectly clean. A pencil is determined to have some fun. Then the eraser finds out it can make pictures by erasing just parts of the pencil's shadings...
March 3, 2019
Eraser likes life on his pristine white pages until a mischievous pencil shows up and starts marking them up. There are some awesomely hilarious moments in this book, my absolute favorite being the butt cheek eraser marks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2019
The eraser likes the page to stay perfectly clean, the pencil has other ideas. As they go back and forth they discover that together they can make something fun and beautiful. A great read aloud about tolerance and the beauty of diversity - but mostly it's just a fun story!
November 21, 2020
Creative little book that will make you think twice about what is “perfection” and how to see things from different perspectives; and how to have fun with a blank canvas.
March 22, 2019
Cute, but not as good as Ahlberg's Pencil.
October 10, 2019
3.5 stars because my son was absolutely tickled by this one.
October 11, 2020
Çok güzeldi.içinde gerçekçi karakterler var.
September 30, 2021
So many books have been written about crayons or pencils drawing the story as it goes, but this one is different enough that I give it 4 stars. The pencil and the eraser are characters in the story; the reader is not. The eraser has the opportunity to change things up but is a bit overwhelmed. The ending is good too.
March 31, 2022
Not very many words. Ultimately has a good message, but misses the mark for me. Saw it at a Scholastic Book Fair and didn’t end up buying it.
August 3, 2023
A sweet story about a pencil and eraser.
March 11, 2019
Eraser prefers the page to stay white. Pencil has other ideas. Great illustrations tell this story and it will have kids giggling as they listen.
July 15, 2020
Very cute picture book pitting a pencil against a perfectionist eraser. Sure to make you smile-- and good for the perfectionist in all of ius.
October 9, 2021
This is a great read aloud of kids who can realize they don't have to be perfect and they can work together to create something beautiful!
February 9, 2019
Part of my personal children's literature reading project.
Perfect is a simple picture book with an eraser that tries to keep pages clean and a pencil that tries to write on them.
Maybe the message is supposed to be that seemingly opposite personality types can work together in a way that's complementary. I think if I'd written this I would have made the pencil the main character and demonstrated that not everything the pencil does is perfect and that sometimes a little help is needed, namely from the eraser.
But that's not how this book goes.
Perfect is a simple picture book with an eraser that tries to keep pages clean and a pencil that tries to write on them.
Maybe the message is supposed to be that seemingly opposite personality types can work together in a way that's complementary. I think if I'd written this I would have made the pencil the main character and demonstrated that not everything the pencil does is perfect and that sometimes a little help is needed, namely from the eraser.
But that's not how this book goes.
July 15, 2018
Love the twist with this one
Read
July 30, 2018What happens when a fastidious eraser tries to keep the page perfectly white? Read Perfect to find out! Hilarious fun due out March, 2019!
Read
January 4, 2020Pretty good book but I kept wanting to sweep the eraser crumbs off the pages!
Writing category of CLEL Bells
Writing category of CLEL Bells
February 14, 2019
Light-hearted, silly story about a fussy eraser and naughty pencil.
April 26, 2023
"Perfect" by Max Amato is a funny and light-hearted picture book that tells the story of a fussy eraser and a mischievous pencil who spar in an imaginative adventure. The illustrations are crisp and uncluttered, with clever use of white space and destruction caused by scribbles. The eraser character's transformation from being tightly wound to embracing the fun and messiness of the pencil's scribbles is a delightful journey that young readers will enjoy. With its humor, playfulness, and heartwarming story, "Perfect" is a wonderful addition to any child's bookshelf.
"Perfect" by Max Amato can be used as a valuable teaching resource in the classroom to engage students in various activities related to literacy, creativity, and social-emotional learning. Here are some ideas on how to use this book in class:
🌼Storytelling and Sequencing: After reading "Perfect" aloud to the class, engage students in a discussion about the sequence of events in the story. Have students work in small groups or individually to create their own visual representations or story maps to sequence the events in the book. This activity can help students develop their understanding of story structure and enhance their comprehension skills.
🌼Imaginative Writing: "Perfect" showcases the power of imagination and creativity. Encourage students to write their own imaginative stories or draw pictures using their favorite stationery tools, just like the pencil and eraser in the book. Encourage them to think outside the box and come up with unique and imaginative stories.
Emotions and Character Traits: "Perfect" portrays the character development of the eraser from being fussy and obsessive to embracing playfulness and messiness. Use this book as a springboard for discussions about emotions, character traits, and personal growth. Have students reflect on how the eraser's character changes throughout the story and how it relates to their own lives.
🌼Collaborative Artwork: In "Perfect," the pencil and eraser work together to create artwork. Encourage students to work in pairs or small groups to create collaborative artwork using different stationery tools, such as pencils, erasers, markers, or crayons. This activity promotes teamwork, creativity, and cooperation among students.
🌼Fine Motor Skills: "Perfect" features illustrations that highlight the use of pencils, erasers, and other stationery tools. Use this book to inspire fine motor skill activities, such as tracing lines, drawing shapes, or practicing letter formation. This can help students develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
🌼Classroom Decorations: "Perfect" has visually appealing illustrations that can be used as inspiration for classroom decorations. Create a bulletin board or display area showcasing students' artwork or creative writing inspired by the book. This can add a touch of creativity and inspiration to your classroom environment.
"Perfect" by Max Amato can be used as a valuable teaching resource in the classroom to engage students in various activities related to literacy, creativity, and social-emotional learning. Here are some ideas on how to use this book in class:
🌼Storytelling and Sequencing: After reading "Perfect" aloud to the class, engage students in a discussion about the sequence of events in the story. Have students work in small groups or individually to create their own visual representations or story maps to sequence the events in the book. This activity can help students develop their understanding of story structure and enhance their comprehension skills.
🌼Imaginative Writing: "Perfect" showcases the power of imagination and creativity. Encourage students to write their own imaginative stories or draw pictures using their favorite stationery tools, just like the pencil and eraser in the book. Encourage them to think outside the box and come up with unique and imaginative stories.
Emotions and Character Traits: "Perfect" portrays the character development of the eraser from being fussy and obsessive to embracing playfulness and messiness. Use this book as a springboard for discussions about emotions, character traits, and personal growth. Have students reflect on how the eraser's character changes throughout the story and how it relates to their own lives.
🌼Collaborative Artwork: In "Perfect," the pencil and eraser work together to create artwork. Encourage students to work in pairs or small groups to create collaborative artwork using different stationery tools, such as pencils, erasers, markers, or crayons. This activity promotes teamwork, creativity, and cooperation among students.
🌼Fine Motor Skills: "Perfect" features illustrations that highlight the use of pencils, erasers, and other stationery tools. Use this book to inspire fine motor skill activities, such as tracing lines, drawing shapes, or practicing letter formation. This can help students develop their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
🌼Classroom Decorations: "Perfect" has visually appealing illustrations that can be used as inspiration for classroom decorations. Create a bulletin board or display area showcasing students' artwork or creative writing inspired by the book. This can add a touch of creativity and inspiration to your classroom environment.
January 12, 2023
Voilà une façon de faire un album à la fois simple et créative: prenez une efface/gomme à effacer et un crayon à mine, travaillés les angles et les plans, n'oubliez pas les expression ajoutés aux deux protagonistes et voilà le travail!
Pour l'histoire, une efface rose aime bien sa page immaculée, mais voilà qu'un trouble fête à tête de mine vient crayonner dessus. Ce crayon espiègle manie la feuille à son avantage en tracant des choses autours de lui, une tornade notamment. Mais qu'à cela ne tienne, l'efface replique sur le même ton, mais à la négative, en effacant la mine pour la remodeler autrement! En ajoutant un soleil, des fusées. Mais lorsqu'elle réussi à venir à bout de toute cette mine, l'efface se rend compte que sa page immaculée est bien ennuyante et demande le retour du crayon.
"On aime une personne pour ses qualités, mais on l'adore pour ses défauts', ai-je déjà entendu quelque part.
Et j'ajouterais que le chaos est souvent synonyme de création.
Et qu'un chemin parcouru seul est peut-être plus rapide, mais qu'à deux on va plus loin!
Bref. Il y a pleins de façon de tirer des leçons de cette histoire rigolote.
Oh et je pense que les plus jeunes trouveront cette histoire très cocasse, surtout la séquence où l'efface est de dos et qu'on constate qu'il a des traces de mine sur ses fesses...malgré son corps archi-plat!
Catégorisation: Album fiction états-uniens, littérature jeunesse préscolaire, 4-5 ans
Note: 7/10
Pour l'histoire, une efface rose aime bien sa page immaculée, mais voilà qu'un trouble fête à tête de mine vient crayonner dessus. Ce crayon espiègle manie la feuille à son avantage en tracant des choses autours de lui, une tornade notamment. Mais qu'à cela ne tienne, l'efface replique sur le même ton, mais à la négative, en effacant la mine pour la remodeler autrement! En ajoutant un soleil, des fusées. Mais lorsqu'elle réussi à venir à bout de toute cette mine, l'efface se rend compte que sa page immaculée est bien ennuyante et demande le retour du crayon.
"On aime une personne pour ses qualités, mais on l'adore pour ses défauts', ai-je déjà entendu quelque part.
Et j'ajouterais que le chaos est souvent synonyme de création.
Et qu'un chemin parcouru seul est peut-être plus rapide, mais qu'à deux on va plus loin!
Bref. Il y a pleins de façon de tirer des leçons de cette histoire rigolote.
Oh et je pense que les plus jeunes trouveront cette histoire très cocasse, surtout la séquence où l'efface est de dos et qu'on constate qu'il a des traces de mine sur ses fesses...malgré son corps archi-plat!
Catégorisation: Album fiction états-uniens, littérature jeunesse préscolaire, 4-5 ans
Note: 7/10
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews