Families who loved Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days! by Stephen Manes often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the crushing weight of perfectionism or comparing themselves unfairly to others. Whether it is a bad grade, a clumsy moment at recess, or sibling rivalry, this story provides an essential outlet for the anxiety of wanting to be flawless. It follows Milo, a boy who follows a bizarre three-day program to become perfect, only to realize that being beyond reproach is incredibly dull. This short chapter book uses absurdist humor to strip away the shame associated with making mistakes. It is a perfect choice for elementary-aged children who need to see that their quirks and errors are what make life interesting. By the end of the three days, parents and children will have a shared vocabulary to discuss why it is better to be a messy, real person than a perfect statue.
