Mao Mao's Perfectly Imperfect Day

by Laan Cham

A free-spirited new student helps a perfectionist panda embrace his more spontaneous side in this charming classroom story.

Mao Mao strives for everything to be absolutely, 100%...PERFECT!
But when Olivia joins his class, Mao Mao realizes that not everyone is this way. Olivia is messy. And noisy. And clumsy. 
So, Mao Mao decides to teach Olivia the art of how to be *PERFECT.* How hard could it be?

With speech balloons and kawaii-influenced illustrations by Laan Cham, this relatable picture book celebrates individuality and self-expression and invites little ones to redefine what it means to be "perfect." It also champions embracing differences and learning from one another—an important lesson for any child starting school.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, School, Friendship, Childrens, Humor, Emotion

40 pages, Hardcover

Published July 8, 2025

Reviews

[sweetpotatocat]

i am very often a mao mao about things … this was q a comforting little book and the art style is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUUUUUUUUUUTEEEEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!! i like that it touched on mao mao’s actual feelings when the imperfections happen (as opposed to just being like bro was not a fan fr trust). i think the ending felt a bit … abrupt? maybe? but i also think it is quite lovely as it is :3

[Steph]

Absolutely DARLING.

[Barbara]

Mao Mao, a panda, is like many of us, striving for perfection. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with making sure things are done right, Mao Mao takes it to extremes. But his world view is challenged with the arrival of Olivia, a rather free-spirited, messy new classmate. She's energetic, loud, and loves stickers rather than precision, which is Mao Mao's preference. When Mao Mao blows his top, though, she finds beauty in his messiness. And Mao Mao? He realizes that there's something to be said about being messy, noisy, and even clumsy. As the last double-page of the book proclaims with one letter [the R] turned backward, perfect is in the eye of the beholder. Colorful Procreate artwork featuring a diverse group of classmates, including humans and animals, and with an octopus teacher named Mr. 8, as seen in the front endpapers, add to the enjoyment and humor of this one even as it delivers an important message.

[Elena L.]

MAO MAO'S PERFECTLY IMPERFECT DAY is for the perfectionist! Mao Mao likes everything to be perfect, until a new student Olivia joins his class. This is the cutest way to encourage kids to embrace their imperfectness. With simple language, lovely art and a straightforward storyline that feels relatable, this picture book is pure charm.

[ gifted by the publisher. All opinions are my own ]

[Rachel]

A cute Panda is pushed it it's breaking point when a messy new student arrives at their school. How will the Panda stay perfect. It tries to show that perfect is impossible. But I'm not sure the message is super clear there for kids. It's still cute and with a parent discussion a kid could probably reach the conclusion the book is trying to show.

[Read Ribbet]

This new book by Laan Cham captures how the perfect world of Mao is upset when his class gets a new student named Olivia who is a little less perfect than Mao would like. Mao has to rethink his expectations and finds a way to get along with the new student. Cham's illustrations capture all the fun of this perfectly imperfect school day.

[Kiera Beddes]

Adorable story about the perfectionist panda Mao Mao and his chaotic new classmate Olivia. I loved the kawaii-inspired art style, I loved the message of the book. As a periennially recovering perfectionist myself, it's an important reminder to embrace the chaos and enjoy life's little messes when you can.

[Amunet Zilla]

i told my 8 yr old little sister she had to read this 8 times; so she told me i had to read it 20 times and i did. regardless its adorable i love the drawn cardstock style of the artwork. Mao mao and olivia's clash feels like my adhd and my autism attempting to work together and its very wholesome.

[Lysa]

3.5/5

[Stephanie ((Strazzybooks))]

we love a book encouraging kids to chill out and ride the waves of life

[M]

Mao Mao learns that it's OK not to be perfect.

[Maddi Capellen]

I would love to read this to a class, I think it is very cute and sweet. Art style is very fun too!