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This is (Not) a Series #5
It Is (Not) Perfect
Two fuzzy creatures are happily putting the finishing touches on their sandcastle when each of them thinks of something that would make it even better. As they work furiously to incorporate each new change, their tiny sandcastle becomes an over-the-top palace…but is it really perfect?
This latest book in the beloved series featuring the pals from Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small reminds us that perfection is in the eye—and heart—of the beholder.
This latest book in the beloved series featuring the pals from Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner You Are (Not) Small reminds us that perfection is in the eye—and heart—of the beholder.
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 12, 2020
108 people are currently reading
1337 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
June 14, 2024
Imperfect!
This book tries to explain to young children that things don’t always have to be perfect in order to be fun.
It takes a lot of work for them to realize this, but they learn. A four-year-old is able to learn this.
A good book for beginners and for adults, too. Try it out for yourself.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book tries to explain to young children that things don’t always have to be perfect in order to be fun.
It takes a lot of work for them to realize this, but they learn. A four-year-old is able to learn this.
A good book for beginners and for adults, too. Try it out for yourself.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 15, 2023
Staying in line with her other books, this one is really simple, straight forward and has a funny yet great moral. Also keeping in theme, the reader must make sure to have additional dialogue so the child you are reading it to understands the feelings that are being felt and the moral of the story. I always like talking this out with my kids and this one was great for that, just like her other ones.
March 2, 2022
I imagine not many people get to say that their mom still joyfully reads them picture books when they are almost thirty. It was a pleasure to listen to this story for the first time in the midst of my youngest siblings and my children. I had to remind my fellow listeners more than once not to stand where they blocked the pictures from my view. It's sweet. It's spectacular. It's about teamwork and fully enjoying the fruits of labor and friendship.
January 11, 2021
Good Lesson
Thank you to Goodreads and Amazon Kindle for the free book! The book is beautifully illustrated. My kids and I have read it several times and it teaches a life lesson. I think it is important to show them that perfection is overrated and to be happy with your best. We liked this book so much we have read others in the series. Thanks Two Lions!
Thank you to Goodreads and Amazon Kindle for the free book! The book is beautifully illustrated. My kids and I have read it several times and it teaches a life lesson. I think it is important to show them that perfection is overrated and to be happy with your best. We liked this book so much we have read others in the series. Thanks Two Lions!
October 9, 2020
This is the first in the series of "not" books. This is an adorable little book about a perfect day at the beach and the "perfect" little sand castle. Or so it seems....until every friend at the beach adds his ideas...and then it becomes a new vision of "perfect" until a BIG wave sweeps it away. Perfection is in the eye of the beholder....and a lovely snow cone on the beach ends a perfect day! I agree.
June 21, 2021
A nice little book I was able to read with Prime Reading on a whim. Going to see if the previous books in the series are also available!
May 27, 2022
Nice pictures and a cute kids story.
August 16, 2025
Two friends start building a sand castle together. More friends join with more ideas until it is "perfect." A good lesson that sometimes less is more.
December 22, 2020
I'm not sure how I feel about this one. You have the two main characters who build a sandcastle. One decided it needs something more, than the other. Then other folks wander over and make suggestions, which the main characters take and apply (no one helps I notice). In the end, a wave washes it all away and you see them enjoying snow cones with a rebuilt original castle, claiming it is perfect. Simple, and some kids will pick up on the message. But I think most of the enjoyment will come from looking at the improvements made to the sand castle, and the silly picture of everyone after the wave has hit.
October 16, 2020
When is good-enough, good enough?
March 10, 2021
Reviewed for School Library Journal on 4/1/2020.
PreS-Gr 1: Two fuzzy creatures, one large and one small, admire the sandcastle they have created. The big one declares it perfect, while his little friend feels it just misses the mark. He decides to add flags and is now satisfied that it has reached perfection. Not so fast! His partner thinks that while it is better, the towers could certainly be taller. Soon other creatures at the beach join in. One suggests that the wall is too small; others opine that the castle needs arches, windows, stairs, a gatehouse, and even a drawbridge. After each suggestion, we see the pair dutifully construct until finally, they all feel it is perfect. Just as they pose for a group photo with this truly spectacular sandcastle, a huge wave comes in and destroys it. A wonderful illustration of the wet, bedraggled crowd is sure to elicit laughs. Happiness wins the day as the final page shows the two friends enjoying snow-cones, sitting next to what looks suspiciously like the original sandcastle, and guess what? It is perfect. VERDICT: This award-winning duo have created a lovely tribute to the old adage that perfect is the enemy of good. Recommended for purchase for all collections.
PreS-Gr 1: Two fuzzy creatures, one large and one small, admire the sandcastle they have created. The big one declares it perfect, while his little friend feels it just misses the mark. He decides to add flags and is now satisfied that it has reached perfection. Not so fast! His partner thinks that while it is better, the towers could certainly be taller. Soon other creatures at the beach join in. One suggests that the wall is too small; others opine that the castle needs arches, windows, stairs, a gatehouse, and even a drawbridge. After each suggestion, we see the pair dutifully construct until finally, they all feel it is perfect. Just as they pose for a group photo with this truly spectacular sandcastle, a huge wave comes in and destroys it. A wonderful illustration of the wet, bedraggled crowd is sure to elicit laughs. Happiness wins the day as the final page shows the two friends enjoying snow-cones, sitting next to what looks suspiciously like the original sandcastle, and guess what? It is perfect. VERDICT: This award-winning duo have created a lovely tribute to the old adage that perfect is the enemy of good. Recommended for purchase for all collections.
July 27, 2020
Lovely addition to this series. They work so hard to build an incredible sand castle and a wave wipes it out. At the end, a snow cone is truly perfect. Terrific to talk about simple items bringing joy.
January 30, 2022
English version
===============
Making a children's book is no easy task.
It may seem like it, but in fact it is not. Because you have to put a lot of things together, be a book that brings instruction, values, joy and fun, all this in a light way, and a very difficult task, even more in the fun part.
But these books in Anna Kang's (NOT) series made me laugh. A difficult thing to achieve in a children's book these days.
They took me back to my childhood years when all my problems were about sharing toys with my little friends, who would be the first in a game, these were all my dilemmas.
Reading these books did me good, I read them all at once and loved it!
Anna Congratulations on the light and content-filled writing, congratulations to Illustrator Christopher Weyant who did an excellent job creating such sweet and expressive creatures
Portuguese version
================
Fazer um livro infantil não é tarefa fácil .
Até pode parecer , mas de fato não é . Porque você tem que juntar muitas coisas , ser um livro que traga instrução , valores , alegria e divertimento , tudo isso de uma forma leve , e uma tarefa muito difícil , ainda mais na parte divertida .
Porém estes livros da série (NOT) de Anna Kang , me fizeram rir . Uma coisa difícil de se conseguir num livro infantil atualmente .
Me fizeram voltar aos anos de minha infância quando todos os meus problemas se resumiam em dividir brinquedos com meus amiguinhos , quem seria o primeiro numa brincadeira , estes eram todos os meus dilemas .
Ler estes livros me fizeram bem , eu os li todos de uma vez e adorei !
Anna Parabéns pela escrita leve e cheia de conteúdo , parabéns ao Ilustrador Christopher Weyant que fez um excelente trabalho , criando criaturas tão doces e expressivas.
===============
Making a children's book is no easy task.
It may seem like it, but in fact it is not. Because you have to put a lot of things together, be a book that brings instruction, values, joy and fun, all this in a light way, and a very difficult task, even more in the fun part.
But these books in Anna Kang's (NOT) series made me laugh. A difficult thing to achieve in a children's book these days.
They took me back to my childhood years when all my problems were about sharing toys with my little friends, who would be the first in a game, these were all my dilemmas.
Reading these books did me good, I read them all at once and loved it!
Anna Congratulations on the light and content-filled writing, congratulations to Illustrator Christopher Weyant who did an excellent job creating such sweet and expressive creatures
Portuguese version
================
Fazer um livro infantil não é tarefa fácil .
Até pode parecer , mas de fato não é . Porque você tem que juntar muitas coisas , ser um livro que traga instrução , valores , alegria e divertimento , tudo isso de uma forma leve , e uma tarefa muito difícil , ainda mais na parte divertida .
Porém estes livros da série (NOT) de Anna Kang , me fizeram rir . Uma coisa difícil de se conseguir num livro infantil atualmente .
Me fizeram voltar aos anos de minha infância quando todos os meus problemas se resumiam em dividir brinquedos com meus amiguinhos , quem seria o primeiro numa brincadeira , estes eram todos os meus dilemas .
Ler estes livros me fizeram bem , eu os li todos de uma vez e adorei !
Anna Parabéns pela escrita leve e cheia de conteúdo , parabéns ao Ilustrador Christopher Weyant que fez um excelente trabalho , criando criaturas tão doces e expressivas.
May 14, 2020
Perfection is in the eye of the beholder. Or, in everyone else that wants to give their opinion. In the fifth book of the YOU ARE (NOT) SMALL series, we find two friends building a sandcastle on the beach. They are happy and having a wonderful time together. The two friends decide the castle is perfect and finished….until one friend decides to add some flags. Then it needs taller towers. Then a few friends come along and give their opinion on what it needs until it is quite a grand castle and it has taken a lot of work to make it a perfectly grand castle.
They have made the grandest castle possible and everyone is so excited. While they are smiling for a photo, something is coming up from behind them that will ruin all their work.
The two friends are shocked and sad until they notice something that might just be the “perfect” way to end their day on the beach. These two friends realize perfection really is in the eye of the beholder.
This sweet story teaches perseverance, the power of peer pressure, and, of course, the value of a true friendship. The illustrated characters are adorable and all have their own personality. With limited words on the pages, the illustrations tell as much of the story as the words. Even non-readers would be able to understand what is going on.
Kang and Weyant make a great team when writing stories for children and I hope there are plenty more children’s books to come.
They have made the grandest castle possible and everyone is so excited. While they are smiling for a photo, something is coming up from behind them that will ruin all their work.
The two friends are shocked and sad until they notice something that might just be the “perfect” way to end their day on the beach. These two friends realize perfection really is in the eye of the beholder.
This sweet story teaches perseverance, the power of peer pressure, and, of course, the value of a true friendship. The illustrated characters are adorable and all have their own personality. With limited words on the pages, the illustrations tell as much of the story as the words. Even non-readers would be able to understand what is going on.
Kang and Weyant make a great team when writing stories for children and I hope there are plenty more children’s books to come.
May 15, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and @blue_slip_media for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Have you ever tried to build a sandcastle with your friends? Everyone has an opinion of how to build it best, but secretly you are certain you know how to create a castle that is truly perfect. Our endearing fuzzy characters from YOU ARE (NOT) SMALL have returned and are experiencing just that kind of a day at the beach. Everyone who walks by has a suggestion to make their castle even more perfect; maybe windows, maybe a drawbridge, maybe arches or maybe even a moat! After all of the additions, everyone agrees they finally have the perfect creation, until…
This is such a fun book. The characters are so endearing and their faces so expressive. It also provides lots of opportunities to discuss how everyone views things differently and has a different opinion about what is perfect. It’s just the book to get you ready for summer. Hopefully, you and your family will be building sandcastles very soon! It’s available now.
Have you ever tried to build a sandcastle with your friends? Everyone has an opinion of how to build it best, but secretly you are certain you know how to create a castle that is truly perfect. Our endearing fuzzy characters from YOU ARE (NOT) SMALL have returned and are experiencing just that kind of a day at the beach. Everyone who walks by has a suggestion to make their castle even more perfect; maybe windows, maybe a drawbridge, maybe arches or maybe even a moat! After all of the additions, everyone agrees they finally have the perfect creation, until…
This is such a fun book. The characters are so endearing and their faces so expressive. It also provides lots of opportunities to discuss how everyone views things differently and has a different opinion about what is perfect. It’s just the book to get you ready for summer. Hopefully, you and your family will be building sandcastles very soon! It’s available now.
Read
June 9, 2020Not perfect...or is it?
A perfectly lovely day at the beach has 2 friends deciding to build a sand castle. After a time of toil, they stand back and declare, “It’s Perfect!” After a moment, little purple bear hedges and says, “hhhmmm”. Big orange bear replies, “What?” “”It’s not perfect” “Why?” “It needs flags” and the pair of bear friends are off on their seaside adventure.
As the story continues, friends are added until the water’s edge is full of “helpful suggestions”. The 2 bears work fervently trying to achieve perfection with their granular edifice, only to have nature deliver its very predictable knockout punch. Older children will have figured this out long before it happens but it won’t detract from the enjoyment of the storytelling.
A lovely story of friendship, stick-to-it-tiveness, stress, peer pressure, broken dreams and finding your real happiness. The words are few but the illustrations are glorious and invite readers into conversations about the story. This is a book to be treasured repeatedly by readers of every age📚
A perfectly lovely day at the beach has 2 friends deciding to build a sand castle. After a time of toil, they stand back and declare, “It’s Perfect!” After a moment, little purple bear hedges and says, “hhhmmm”. Big orange bear replies, “What?” “”It’s not perfect” “Why?” “It needs flags” and the pair of bear friends are off on their seaside adventure.
As the story continues, friends are added until the water’s edge is full of “helpful suggestions”. The 2 bears work fervently trying to achieve perfection with their granular edifice, only to have nature deliver its very predictable knockout punch. Older children will have figured this out long before it happens but it won’t detract from the enjoyment of the storytelling.
A lovely story of friendship, stick-to-it-tiveness, stress, peer pressure, broken dreams and finding your real happiness. The words are few but the illustrations are glorious and invite readers into conversations about the story. This is a book to be treasured repeatedly by readers of every age📚
May 14, 2020
i was super lucky to win this through a Goodreads giveaway, lucky me ... i have really enjoyed this series ... so so much. great illustrations. happy and so colorful. would be awesome for any one's book shelf ... i did get the kindle version ... so fun. landscape style fashion on the kindle ... turning sideways to read it ... love that type of kindle read ... so fun. takes up the whole screen. well done!! perfect in my book. water included ... i love playing in the sand. sand castles. good memories as a kid. those were the days. i think perfect is in the eye of the beholder?? what do u perceive as PERFECT?? might be totally different depending on the person, are you a sand castle expert or one who has just started?? u might see that totally different than the "contest team"? both Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant have done a wonderful job ... i wonder where or if this series will continue?? sure hope so. such a fan. check this book out. well done!!
May 28, 2023
It Is (Not) Perfect is a prime example of how perfection truly is in the eye and heart of the beholder.
In this story, the main characters are having fun building a sandcastle at the beach. But then they both feel like their sandcastle isn’t quite as perfect as it could be, so they continue to make improvements. The more improvements the bigger the castle gets. Soon other characters are adding in their own opinion on what would make the sandcastle even better. Unfortunately, a huge wave crashes ashore and washes all their hard work away. The two friends ultimately decide to start over and keep it simple (i.e., perfect in its own unique way).
There are so many great takeaways from this story. That everyone has a different idea of what “perfect” means and looks like. That it’s okay if something isn’t 100% perfect. And that sometimes keeping things simple is just as good (if not better and less complicated).
In this story, the main characters are having fun building a sandcastle at the beach. But then they both feel like their sandcastle isn’t quite as perfect as it could be, so they continue to make improvements. The more improvements the bigger the castle gets. Soon other characters are adding in their own opinion on what would make the sandcastle even better. Unfortunately, a huge wave crashes ashore and washes all their hard work away. The two friends ultimately decide to start over and keep it simple (i.e., perfect in its own unique way).
There are so many great takeaways from this story. That everyone has a different idea of what “perfect” means and looks like. That it’s okay if something isn’t 100% perfect. And that sometimes keeping things simple is just as good (if not better and less complicated).
October 31, 2020
Another good one for the anxious, perfectionist kids among us. For a storytime, it could be fun to pair with a building craft/project - making their own 'perfect' sand castles (or barring that, sand castle pictures). And for groups or families either, it's a good one with a try-try-again mentality, about finding good things even when things don't live up to expectations, about trying to accomplish everything to make it perfect (and group efforts to make it happen), even what it takes to be perfect in the first place... lots of SEI lessons to be had (like in most of this series from Kang). And of course, the familiar cute and fuzzy critters from Kang's series to figure their way through.
May 15, 2020
It Is Not Perfect
Thanks so very much Ms Kang! This book was very funny, colorful, well illustrated and creative. My granddaughter and I enjoyed it very much and was delightfully surprised at the end. We laugh when we saw that all their hard work was destroyed by a wave to their and our surprise!😂😂😂. I would recommend this book to those of you who liked reading bedtime stories to their children are grandchildren. I gave this book five stars because it was a surprise to all their friends who made suggestions and turned something small into something grand when everyone works together.❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾👍👍
Thanks so very much Ms Kang! This book was very funny, colorful, well illustrated and creative. My granddaughter and I enjoyed it very much and was delightfully surprised at the end. We laugh when we saw that all their hard work was destroyed by a wave to their and our surprise!😂😂😂. I would recommend this book to those of you who liked reading bedtime stories to their children are grandchildren. I gave this book five stars because it was a surprise to all their friends who made suggestions and turned something small into something grand when everyone works together.❤️❤️🙏🏾🙏🏾👍👍
February 19, 2021
Kang & Weyant’s next installment in the kids’ version of the Is-Is Not analysis problem-solving method. The root cause of the problematic sandcastle seems to be internal—specifically, an overactive inner critic—for these furry fussbudgets, who don’t consider inviting their external critics to build their own sandcastles, perhaps even engaging in some friendly competition to see who can build the “best” sandcastle. The lackluster ending adds to the oversimplification of problem-solving strategies. The third star is for the colorful illustrations, especially the wave that wipes out the castle and ends all the fuss.
December 11, 2022
3.75
Just saw the Goodread awards results and went through the Best Middle Grade & Children's books. Among them "This Is (Not) Enough" was there. Since the cover looks so cute I wanted to read it. I was just curious and went through her other books. That's when I saw this. So I immediately bought the e-book. Obviously, it only took me a minute to finish this. And it's so cute. Even though it's a book for children, it has a great message in it. That no matter how much you tried, it still looks imperfect. You try your best to make things perfect, but once you did that, you still see things that should be improved. So it's a never-ending saga. I like that message.
Just saw the Goodread awards results and went through the Best Middle Grade & Children's books. Among them "This Is (Not) Enough" was there. Since the cover looks so cute I wanted to read it. I was just curious and went through her other books. That's when I saw this. So I immediately bought the e-book. Obviously, it only took me a minute to finish this. And it's so cute. Even though it's a book for children, it has a great message in it. That no matter how much you tried, it still looks imperfect. You try your best to make things perfect, but once you did that, you still see things that should be improved. So it's a never-ending saga. I like that message.
July 13, 2020
I had to sit with this one here for a time because I wanted to cry at the end when the big wave came up and went "SPLASH" and knocked down all of their hard work.
It made me so upset for them. They had worked so hard and put up with so much from all the others who came and butted in and....
Then it was PERFECT? Just like that? Nuh-uh. I don't think so!
So I had to stop. And breathe. (This is still making me feel anxious, and I am having to remind myself to keep on breathing.) It is not perfect. And it is perfect. (not) perfect. Okay.
It made me so upset for them. They had worked so hard and put up with so much from all the others who came and butted in and....
Then it was PERFECT? Just like that? Nuh-uh. I don't think so!
So I had to stop. And breathe. (This is still making me feel anxious, and I am having to remind myself to keep on breathing.) It is not perfect. And it is perfect. (not) perfect. Okay.
June 7, 2021
Two friends build a sandcastle that, with a little adjustment, they're very happy with. More people arrive and think it needs to be bigger and more detailed. When everyone has a sandcastle they're happy with, they take a picture... right after a wave destroys it. Most people go away disappointed. The two original friends rebuild their small castle and think it is perfect.
There's a message around happiness with simplicity (and also feature creep?), but it is fun as a reader to see the growing sandcastle and the silliness of the photo.
There's a message around happiness with simplicity (and also feature creep?), but it is fun as a reader to see the growing sandcastle and the silliness of the photo.
February 18, 2021
Two friends are building a sandcastle together. They each take turns thinking it's perfect but then the other makes a gentle suggestion for an improvement. Other friends show up making more suggestions and the friends end up creating an entirely new colossal creation, with a moat! And just as the picture is about to be taken with this fabulous creation, a gigantic wave drags it all away.
Children will enjoy the buildup and subsequent let down.
Children will enjoy the buildup and subsequent let down.
May 9, 2020
This is such a cute picture book, perfect for summer time as it features a group of friends trying to build the perfect sandcastle together.
As soon as we finished reading this, my son said it needed more pages so he could keep reading!
Thank you so much to the publishers for sending us a free copy of this book to enjoy!
As soon as we finished reading this, my son said it needed more pages so he could keep reading!
Thank you so much to the publishers for sending us a free copy of this book to enjoy!
May 13, 2020
Perfect?
Read aloud or early childhood age illustrated story that show the many views on what an individual thinks is perfection. Liked this as an adult reminder of every single variation of individual viewpoint s. Free book and I have no connection to anyone involved. Great bedtime or naptime read.
Read aloud or early childhood age illustrated story that show the many views on what an individual thinks is perfection. Liked this as an adult reminder of every single variation of individual viewpoint s. Free book and I have no connection to anyone involved. Great bedtime or naptime read.
June 15, 2020
Perfection and joy are sometimes in the eye of the beholder. This addition to the series points out that sometimes when you try to please everyone you end up forgetting about yourself. This is also a good discussion book because kids might come away with the concept that you should never try other ideas or new things.
June 22, 2020
I was lucky to win this copy from a friend's giveaway and it is terrific. Remember "You Are (Not) Small"? These two creatures are happily building a sandcastle when more than one creature you'll recognize from the earlier book needs to add some advice. This turns into quite an amazing structure, and a surprise! Everything 'perfect' is in the eye of the beholder, right?
December 1, 2021
I think this book shows a great hidden message that perfect is different to everyone, and that being perfect is not what it seems to be. Each character in the story had their different vision of perfect, and kept adding to the sand castle. When they finally reached what they thought was "perfection" the big wave washed it away. I loved the illustrations, they were very unique and creative.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews