The Perfect Present

by Fiona Roberton

The Perfect Present This story about friendship shows that there is always room for friends, old and new. Full description

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Dogs, Animals, Fiction, Storytime

Paperback

First published October 3, 2011

About the author

Fiona Roberton was born in Oxford, studied art and design in London and New York, and has worked and lived and travelled all over the world. Travelling is one of her favourite things.

She has kept the wolf from the door for a number of years by designing stuff, but has since befriended the wolf, and now has him to tea on Tuesdays. Sometimes, they go out.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry and Spot are as close as two friends can be . . . well, as close as a boy and his duck can be, anyway. Now it's Henry's birthday, and Spot has found the most perfect present for him. But, wait - Henry's grandparents have given him a Dog - the thing Henry has always wanted. Henry's in such a hurry to play with his new pooch, he doesn't even open Spot's present! I loved the book up to this point, but then it becomes mostly about Spot's adventures running away with home, and Henry and Dog's adventures bringing him back again. And, I know the message is "make new friends, but keep the old," but there's that always-disconcerting thing about one non-human being treated as a friend, while another gets treated as a pet. Creepy!

I'm not sure how kids would react to this, but for me it was just an okay read.

[Caroline Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

o Summary: It is Henry’s birthday and he cannot wait to see what his pet duck got him for his present. His duck got him a fishing pole and was excited because he knew it was just what henry wanted. Henry ended up getting a dog as a present from his grandparents. When henry opened the present he said it was the perfect gift. His pet duck got very sad because he did not think his gift was good enough anymore so he left. It was storming. Henry and his dog realized that his duck was gone so they went and looked for him. The dog fell into the water so the duck jumped in after him. Henry was so thankful for both the duck and the dog. They decided that the dog was both the duck and henry’s pet and everyone was happy about that.
o Grade level: 3rd
o Appropriate classroom use. Test over it
o Individual students who might benefit from reading: Kids who don’t feel appreciated could read this to know that even when it seems like they are not appreciated, that they are
o Small group use: silent reading for students testing over the book in order to study for it.
o Whole class use: read aloud and take turns reading to insure that all students understand the book before the test
o Related books in genre/subject or content area: none
o Multimedia connections available:none

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s young Henry’s birthday and his pet goose Spot has gotten him the perfect birthday present – a fishing pole! But just as Henry is about to open it, his grandparents arrive and give him another exciting gift – a dog. When Henry spends the rest of his special day playing with his new dog, Spot feels left out. He decides he isn’t needed anymore and runs away. Henry wakes up to a terrible storm and discovers Spot is missing – oh no! It’s up to Henry and the dog to rescue (and reassure) Spot.

Adorable illustrations! I love Spot the goose (who doesn’t appear to have any spots), and Henry is pretty cute, too (he has a huge round head and is completely bald – he reminds me of my dad). Kids will easily identify with sensitive Spot whose feelings get hurt when Henry seems to ignore and forget about him. Poor Spot! Although the story/plot beats a well-worn path (with the unappreciated character running away), it has a sweet resolution and everyone goes home satisfied and warm in Henry’s hat, mittens, and scarf.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a busy little book that may be a bit of a challenge for some young readers. Themes explored include the feelings of a resident pet when a new pet comes into the household and commands his owner's attention.

Veg*n Parents Alert: A major theme of this book is the little boy's receiving of a fishing pole as a birthday gift. However, the boy does use the pole to rescue his puppy at the end of the story.

[Cai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spot wants to get his best friend the perfect present for his birthday. However, someone ends up giving something else that seems to be the perfect present and Spot's present seems to be forgotten about. So Spot decides to runaway.

This was a gorgeous book that shows how someone feels when they think they are being "replaced". The illustrations were very cute. Detailed but not overdone.

V @ 6 months.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It tells the touching story of a little boy named Henry and his pet duck Spot. On Henry's birthday, he receives a puppy and Spot begins to think that the dog will replace him as Henry's pet. What follows is a "rescue" story, that explains beautifully the way children perceive pets, and come to realize on their own, as they grow older, what the meaning of a perfect present actually is.

[Mackenzie Wooden · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lesson behind this book is something a lot of young readers should be able to learn from. When reading this book, the reader should be able to identify the lesson behind the book itself. I believe while it is a little plain in illustrations, overall it is somewhat enjoyable.

[Courtney Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story you can read to students about how just because you make anew friend does not mean you replace your new friends. I would read this if I knew there was a problem in the classroom with some students feeling left out.

[Mark Smiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We discovered the writings of Fiona Roberton a month ago with Wanted:the perfect pet. We love the subject in our family and the illustrations are spot on. Finding a sequel was terrific. We only wish there were many more in this series.

[Story · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book much. It was split into chapters but it was so short that felt unnecessary. The story was kind of cute but over all predictable. A very, very young child might like this one but definitely not me.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay. Pretends to be a chapter book but isn't.

[Sam Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book about the value of old and new friendships.

[Monaria Yulius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continue the story of the book "wanted the perfect pet". Spot (a duck) was jealous of Henry's new pet (a dog)

[J.]

AR 3.1

[Freddie D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet tale with a focus on friendship.

[Rob Worth · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Henry's birthday, and Spot is excited to give Henry his gift, except maybe Henry has a much better gift from someone else. A gift so good, that it's even better than his best buddy Spot?

[Jacob Balmer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read at a library group - lost interest about halfway through. Think he’s a little young for it.
Age: 6 months old

[Hannah Joly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about friendship and how to always be friends with everyone because you can never too many friends

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spot the Duck is Henry's perfect pet. They do everything together. Henry can't wait to see what Spot got him for his birthday. He goes through the letters of the alphabet guessing what Spot got him. Spot is excited for Henry to finally open the new fishing rod he got him but after he's opened all of his family's presents but before he can open Spots, Henry grandparents shop up with a present: a dog. All of a sudden Henry forgets that Spot is even there. So Spot decides to leave. Well, then Spot gets stuck in a storm and finds himself trapped in a tree. Eventually the dog wakes Henry up and alerts him to Spot's note. Both boy and dog head out to rescue Spot successfully.

Two major problems with this book:
1) A horribly inappropriate, inaccurate cultural depiction of a totem pole and Henry wearing a feather headdress.

2) With the exception of early/easy readers, there is NO BENEFIT breaking picture books up into chapters. It's stupid.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 3 year old granddaughter received this book as her monthly book from the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. It's labeled as one of their "Blue Ribbon Selection" books.

The little boy (Henry)in the story has a special 'friend' his pet duck (Spot). They are quite the best friend. The boy is looking forward to the next day and his birthday and all his presents especially the one that Spot had gotten for him. Spot knew he so badly wanted a new fishing rod he's seen in the window. The next morning Henry opens all his gifts and about to open Spots but Grandparents show up with a new puppy! Henry is all excited and forgets about Spot and his perfect gift. So Spot runs away and gets lost. Henry's new puppy finds Spots note and takes it to Henry so they set out to find Spot. They do find him and rescues him all the while Spot realizes that the puppy may not be so bad after all...especially after Henry suggests the puppy be 'both' their pets and not just his alone.

[Green Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious and heartwarming book about the hazards of gift giving and the resilience of friendship. Sometimes sweet thought can get shuffled out of sight in the hustle-bustle of birthdays. Henry's duck friend Spot has picked out the perfect fishing gear to warm Henry's heart, but a big huge woofing box with AIR HOLES is hogging all the attention! Feeling under-appreciated Spot speeds off into a thunderstorm and gets stuck in a tree! Will Henry and his slobbery new birthday present be able to pull off a rescue mission and make peace with the dissed duck?! Kooky and cartoony, with tiny chapters that feel very grown-up!

[Library Quine · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the previous book about Henry, Spot the duck becomes Henry's perfect pet. In this book Spot believes he has chosen the perfect present for his master. However, before Henry can open this special gift another present arrives and Spot's gift is forgotten. Spot thinks that his friendship with Henry is over and he is no longer wanted so he runs away. You'll need to read the story yourself to find out how the story concludes, but to my mind it is a smasher! This book addresses friendship and feelings and might help those kids who feel that running away is the solution to their problems. The story also addresses flooding and storms.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry anxiously awaits his birthday, hoping for the perfect present. Spot, his duck, thinks he has gotten Henry the perfect present: a new fishing rod. But then Grandpa and Grandma show up with what Henry has always wanted: a dog. Spot feels he is no longer needed and is no longer the "perfect pet", so he packs his things. He leaves a note for Henry and heads toward home. But Henry and the dog come after him. "I will always need you, and you will always be my Perfect Pet, no matter what."

A story of friendship and love, this is The Perfect Sequel. The illustrations are, once again, adorable.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and Spot are such good friends that Spot thinks very hard about finding his friend the perfect birthday present. Unfortunately, though, it seems that another present captures Henry's attention, leaving Spot forlorn and lonely. Disaster occurs when he decides to leave, and Spot ends up being saved in a surprising but satisfying way. This is a lovely tribute to friendship and loyalty and finding room in the heart for just one more friend. The simple illustrations contain bits of color that set off the characters appealingly.

[Elines Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the sequel to Wanted: The Perfect Pet where Henry, the boy in the story, is looking for a dog but ends up with a duck, Spot, as his perfect pet. Now, the two are looking forward to Henry's birthday and spot wants to give the perfect present. This whole story is a fun, easy read. The pictures are simply drawn in black and white with a touch of color here and there. However, they were bold and full of life an emotion.

[Natalie Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because it looked like a cute children's book from the cover. It is a really cute book that revolves around friendship. The adorable duck just wants to feel special to his owner and when something new comes along he doesn't think he will ever feel special again. Read more to find out! This book is pretty short so it would be a good book to read before bed if you are looking for a quick story!

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute! Adorable pictures. Cute story. It begins rather typically but has a fun ending. Best for lap-read or read-alone because the illustrations are too tine and too many on a page to work in group. Plus, the length or the way it is told might lost the attention of a preschool crowd. But it is still really cute!

(An entire star for the illustrations making me smile on every page.)

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy's best friend - Spot, the duck - gets him the perfect birthday present. But when he gets a dog from his grandparents, Spot thinks he is no longer needed and leaves for his former home. Kids listened to this story, and were engaged throughout. The simple chapter headings also make it well suited to use for beginning, middle, and end summaries.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars...wow!

I really enjoyed this book. It is about friendship and who knew that a pet could have a pet.

The duck..or is it a goose is cute and the pictures are expressive. But he feels left out when The Dog comes along! But you know, a duck can have a pet and that pet just might save your life!!!

[Teresa Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry and Spot are the best of friends and Spot has chosen what he believes is the perfect present until Henry receives a puppy. Feeling unwanted Spot leaves to go back to his home when he gets caught in a flood and learns a valuable lesson about friendship.