Perfectly Imperfect Stories: Meet 28 inspiring people and discover their mental health stories

by Leo Potion, Ana Strumpf (Illustrations)

Meet 29 icons, from pop stars to sporting heroes, and discover how they overcame a range of mental health issues, from anorexia to depression, to live inspiring lives. At a time when kids' mental health is under more pressure than ever, this book celebrates the message that it's ok not to be ok.

Genres: Mental Health, Nonfiction, Childrens, Middle Grade

64 pages, Hardcover

Published February 2, 2021

Reviews

[Susan]

I wish I'd had a book like this during adolescence, because it destigmatizes mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia. I knew that Michael Phelps and Prince Harry are living with depression, but I had no idea that Charles Darwin may have had agoraphobia or that Florence Nightingale may have had bipolar disorder. It's a fascinating and empowering read.

That said, I found the art style (a mix of photography and cartoony illustrations) to be a bit jarring and overwhelming. I would've preferred a simpler layout. I also wished the writing had dug deeper and gotten further into each subject's head rather than a more detached and expository writing style that feels more like reciting facts versus telling a story. Definitely still worth reading, though.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barnes and Noble says this book is for 8-12 year olds, but I felt like the tone was a little young. Maybe for 6-8 year olds. I love the idea behind the book, that if you're feeling any of the things these people felt, you're not alone. The back even has resources to go to if you need help.

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect imperfect. 28 inspirerende, beroemde mensen vertellen over hun mentale gezondheid. Door: Leo Potion en Ana Strumpf.

Het is oké om niet oké te zijn, dat weet ik nu maar dat wist ik vroeger toen ik klein was niet. Jaren therapie hebben me gelukkig het één en ander geleerd ;)

Weten dat jij niet de enige bent die het moeilijk heeft, met iets worstelt, dat helpt. Zeker als die persoon beroemd is, geef maar toe. Want net zij lijken de mensen die alles wél op orde hebben, die nooit bang zijn of triest. Jammer voor hen leren we, door dit boeiende boek, dat dat helemaal niet waar is.

Lady Gaga heeft PTSS, Emma Stone had paniekaanvallen, Marie Currie had periodes van depressie en Beethoven schijnt bipolair te zijn geweest. En dat zijn maar een paar iconische voorbeelden die ondanks hun mentale gezondheidsproblemen wereldberoemd werden omdat ze zo goed zijn (waren) in hun vak! Misschien waren ze net daarom wel zo goed.

Perfect imperfect is een troostend hart onder de riem, het is opbeurend en empowerend. Het is inspirerend en maakt iets wat toch nog altijd een beetje taboe blijkt meer bespreekbaar; een super aanrader dus!

[Karah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not know Florence Nightingale had mental health issues. I am eternally grateful that she was endowed with the gift of kindness and tenderness. The people of preceding eras received brutish treatment. Florence Nightingale advocated for clean healing environments occupied by empathic and meticulous medical staff. My auntie Virla served in the occupation of a registered nurse and later a nurse anesthetist. She maintained excellence in her craft. I know my auntie Virla knows about Florence Nightingale. She doesn't have to say it. Auntie Virla has lived the responsibilities of love and nurturing. She enjoys helping people with their problems. Yet, she has been richly rewarded for her character. The gift of healing seems all too rare. But it isn't. People with the gift of healing often go unnoticed because the multitudes often only see and hear their individual pain.

Participate in loving honesty so there can be global healing.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reviewing this book for Mental Health Month and Disability Issues.
This was a very fun concept and I really liked the information about the contemporary people.
1/3-1/2 of the selections were historical however. The descriptions of these people was brief out of necessity but it really flattened those people weirdly. I think it's dangerous to diagnose across time and apply our modern medical terminology to people in history.

There was a variety of pop art included in each presentation and sometimes the pop art obscured the face of the person, so I had to google if I wanted to know what they looked like.

If you want to go back in history to discover mental health issues, the Psalms in the Bible have an excellent vocabulary around them.

[Eirlys · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book (although i appreciate what it’s about and the message it sends) was too childish for me. If I were younger and less mature I might’ve like this book more but the lessons and messages that the book had were just phrased too simply. I wish they would’ve gone deeper into the stories instead of just skimming the surface. The art also made me feel extremely uncomfortable and repulsed by the book.
I know it’s meant to be abstract and attract kids but it was just too overwhelming for me. The only reason I give it 2/5 instead of a 1/5 is because I think it’s my personal taste in books, not the book itself. I would totally recommend this to younger kid though.

[Sarah Wilmsmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave my 11 year old daughter who has recently been struggling with depression and anxiety this book for Christmas. We read a few stories each night of real life people who have also had mental health issues. My daughter loved learning that people like her have still been able to do amazing things in life, and I think this knowledge has also helped her to be more comfortable in talking about her struggles. Highly recommend for pre-teens and their families.

[Zuleima Manville · Rating 3 out of 5]

It skimmed just enough of the mental health issues for each artist mentioned, but I wouldn’t give this to a child to read without supervision. There’s one about self-harm which could trigger someone to self-harm if they didn’t think about it.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little condescending in tone. Better for middle grade, not teens.

[Kimberly Yavorski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade readers will recognize many of the celebrities included here and may see their own lives reflected in some of the challenges these individuals have worked to overcome. These stories offer reassurance that personal heroes also experience moments of self-doubt and depression. They are a reminder that things aren’t always as they seem: those who seem to have it all together may be floundering as well.

The individuals highlighted in this book may have “imperfect stories” but readers will find them Perfectly Inspiring.