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The Search for the Perfect Child
Where is the perfect child? A humorous, roundabout search leads back to the reader.
Fido Farnsworth, the cleverest, smartest, coolest dog in the whole world, is faced with his hardest job yet. How will he ever find the perfect child? Is the perfect child artistic (say, fond of painting on refrigerator doors)? Does he enjoy keeping pets (like an enormous tiger on a string)? Does she have lots of style (mixing a pirate's hat with Mom's high-heeled shoes)? With cheerfully comic illustrations, Jan Fearnley makes it perfectly clear that all kids are perfect just as they are.
Fido Farnsworth, the cleverest, smartest, coolest dog in the whole world, is faced with his hardest job yet. How will he ever find the perfect child? Is the perfect child artistic (say, fond of painting on refrigerator doors)? Does he enjoy keeping pets (like an enormous tiger on a string)? Does she have lots of style (mixing a pirate's hat with Mom's high-heeled shoes)? With cheerfully comic illustrations, Jan Fearnley makes it perfectly clear that all kids are perfect just as they are.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 14, 2017
i try hard, but i'm not perfect. then again my mommy thinks i'm pretty close.
March 15, 2023
Author and illustrator Jan Fernley charmed me right from the start, introducing Fido Farnsworth, the cleverest, sharpest, coolest dog detective in the whole world.
Who am I to argue?
Now he's been tasked with finding the PERFECT child, in a light-hearted romp of inquiry.
ILLUSTRATIONS ARE GENTLY HILARIOUS
As is Fido's thought process about where to look for the PERFECT child.
ONE DETAIL IN PARTICULAR IMPRESSES ME
On a two-page spread, the words go, "The PERFECT child loves to monkey around."
What's so impressive about that? Illustrations turn "monkey around" into a play on words, indirectly helping children to learn what that expression is supposed to mean.
It is my impression that many children of picture book age are still trying to figure out what different words mean, figuring it out from context, not quite sure.
Yet many picture books present language and concepts that are several steps beyond the reach of a very young reader. Seeing this at-age use of language, meeting the reader where the reader thinks, is a refreshing discovery in any picture book. Also, a rare discovery. At least, that's how it seems to me.
THIS IS A SUPERB BOOK ALL AROUND
Lovely ending, too. Not that I'm going to spoiler that, no-no!
Who am I to argue?
Now he's been tasked with finding the PERFECT child, in a light-hearted romp of inquiry.
ILLUSTRATIONS ARE GENTLY HILARIOUS
As is Fido's thought process about where to look for the PERFECT child.
ONE DETAIL IN PARTICULAR IMPRESSES ME
On a two-page spread, the words go, "The PERFECT child loves to monkey around."
What's so impressive about that? Illustrations turn "monkey around" into a play on words, indirectly helping children to learn what that expression is supposed to mean.
It is my impression that many children of picture book age are still trying to figure out what different words mean, figuring it out from context, not quite sure.
Yet many picture books present language and concepts that are several steps beyond the reach of a very young reader. Seeing this at-age use of language, meeting the reader where the reader thinks, is a refreshing discovery in any picture book. Also, a rare discovery. At least, that's how it seems to me.
THIS IS A SUPERB BOOK ALL AROUND
Lovely ending, too. Not that I'm going to spoiler that, no-no!
September 19, 2013
I think I set myself up for failure with this one by assuming the title would giving me a much different ending then what I received. When looking at the title, I was thinking in terms of a teacher (as that is the mindset I like to stay in these days) and I was not at all thinking like a parent (given that I am not one). I was expecting this story to be about the search for a perfect child, naming all the things that a supposed perfect child would have (which it did), but with an ending that would result in the conclusion that there is no perfect child, that every child is perfect at being who they are (a great lesson if reading this to students, especially younger students). Instead, the story ends with the author telling the reader that they are the perfect child, which gave me the impression that this book was definitely more suited for a parent to read to their child then for a teacher to their students. It wasn’t a terrible book, it just wasn’t at all what I expected, what I was looking for or really worth the read in my opinion.
October 11, 2011
Fido Farnsworth is the coolest dog detective who is on a mission to find the perfect child. His quest involves figuring out what makes a perfect child.
This is a sweet, self-esteem boosting book that gets a great reception at the end. The last page always has my son giggling and smiling, willing to give great big hugs.
The illustrations have the same humourous feel as the text and fit perfectly.
This is a sweet, self-esteem boosting book that gets a great reception at the end. The last page always has my son giggling and smiling, willing to give great big hugs.
The illustrations have the same humourous feel as the text and fit perfectly.
May 15, 2008
can't read a loud but colorful illustrations with light text about dog looking for perfect child.
Read
December 9, 2008E Fea
December 11, 2008
They didn't get it. Kind of lame.
June 9, 2012
I liked when he said I was the perfect child.
January 26, 2014
The story is a lot funnier than you'd think from the cover. The author clearly knows children well as there is toilet humour in this book!
February 16, 2013
one of the greatest books, ever! :)
May 16, 2013
a cute little children's book that makes my daughter smile. not too many words but just enough to keep the story moving forward. great book for young readers
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews