Perfect Man

by Troy Wilson, Dean Griffiths (Illustrator)

Overview

Michael Maxwell McCallum lives in a world just like ours but peopled by superheroes.

When Michael's hero, Perfect Man, quits his job without warning, Michael isn't worried. He knows that Perfect Man will come back. He always does. So that September, when a new teacher shows up in his classroom, a teacher with a number of special powers, Michael figures it out right away. Mr. Clark is Perfect Man. Mr. Clark doesn't say yes and he doesn't say no to Michael's endless questions, but he does encourage Michael to find his own superpowers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459806313
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	09/01/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	6 - 8 Years

About the Author

Troy Wilson was born in Port Alberni, British Columbia, and currently lives in Victoria. Though he is best known as the author of the beloved and best-selling picturebook Perfect Man, he has also written numerous kids' stories for Chickadee, Chirp, and Highlights for Children. Troy has given well-received presentations at schools, libraries, bookstores, festivals and conferences across Canada.

Dean Griffiths is a popular picture-book artist with more than twenty-five titles to his name. His many awards include the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Book Prize for Maggie Can't Wait and the Chocolate Lily Award for Ballerinas Don't Wear Glasses. Dean lives in Duncan, British Columbia, with his daughter.

Read an Excerpt

"Michael Maxwell McCallum was Perfect Man's biggest fan. He wrote Perfect Man stories. He made a Perfect Man website. And then Perfect Man quit. Just like that."

Editorial Reviews

In a sketchy tale likely to make its deepest impression on adult readers, a supportive teacher brings out a lad's inner "superpowers." Perfect Man, a caped superhero, has resigned and vanished, but young Michael, his biggest, most obsessive fan, is not dismayed, for, Michael is convinced, his idol has come back in disguise as the new teacher, Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark may be thinning on top, and shaped like a pear, but he's unfailingly enthusiastic, never breaks chalk, knows just how to defuse playground contretemps, and best of all, he "looked into people. He saw all the good stuff and helped them bring it out. He helped them find their super powers." In Michael's case, Mr. Clark praises his writing, and when Michael grows up to be an author-of "Perfect Man" tales, naturally-becomes his biggest fan. Rather than try for a comic-book look, Griffiths illustrates with full-page scenes of only slightly caricatured figures; he gives Perfect Man and Mr. Clark similar smiles, but otherwise leaves the superhero's true fate ambiguous. A few children might identify Mr. Clark with a favorite teacher of their own, but even here his special qualities are clearer in retrospect. (Picture book. 7-9)

Kirkus Reviews

"A warm, outstanding story that salutes teachers everywhere."

New Brunswick Reader

"A roaringly funny tale with a valuable message about male role modelling." "The lightheartedness of Perfect Man, and the strength of the message (read, write, live and believe in yourself), are gifts. Perfect Man is a book to read to every child and to share with men who have influenced their lives or yours."

The Standard

"Dean Griffiths' pen and ink illustrations are brimming with humourous details...This is a wonderful tribute to teachers and their superhero talents."

Resource Links

"Kids and parents will enjoy this comic-book-style story that encourages kids to believe in themselves and discover their own super powers...Great for comic book fans,...and readers and writers of all ages."

Young Adult Books Central

"A terrific book not only for comic-book lovers and children interested in writing, but for any child who may need help boosting his or her self-esteem."

Children in Crisis

"Victoria author Troy Alan Maxwell Wilson and illustrator Dean Griffiths of Duncan, B.C. pepper an inspirational story with sly humour."

Maclean's

"A wonderful story about finding your own voice and those special people who make a difference in our lives...Griffiths 'super' illustrations are warm and fun."

BC Parent

"Dean Griffiths' whimsically gorgeous illustrations are - pardon the pun - perfect." "There are a lot of reasons for me to recommend that you get yourself a copy or five of Perfect Man. . . You're gonna need one for yourself, but you'll want extras for gifts."

Comic World News

"A funny, charming and simply inspired children's book." "Great for parents who are comic book fans and for kids on the lookout for a new hero, Perfect Man is nearly perfect." "Hurrah for Perfect Man!"

Monday Magazine

"Writer Troy Wilson and illustrator Dean Griffiths say a lot, in a few pages, about fiction and reality, hopes, dreams and human potential."

Vancouver Sun

"Writing is definitely Wilson's super power."

Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market

"This is a wonderfully uplifting story for young and old...The heartwarming relationship between teacher and student will resonate with everyone who has ever had a special teacher be a life-long influence."

Quill & Quire

"A magical, funny book about finding heroes."

United Church Observer

"This delightful story challenges readers to expand their definition of hero."

Today's Parent

"Wilson's first book is an entertaining and thought-provoking read for children. His premise that everyone can develop their own superpowers is a wonderful message for young readers."

Calgary Herald