I’ve missed a few weeks of PPBF due to visitors and life getting in the way, but I’m glad to be back and sharing this wonderful find….

PERFECTLY NORMAN

Written and illustrated by: Tom Percival

Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc UK 2017

Ages:   4 – 8 years.

Theme: different, unique, individuality

Opening Lines: Norman had always been normal – perfectly normal. Until one day…

Synopsis: From Amazon: Norman had always been perfectly normal. That was until the day he grew a pair of wings! Norman is very surprised to have wings suddenly – and he has the most fun ever trying them out high in the sky. But then he has to go in for dinner. What will his parents think? What will everyone else think? Norman feels the safest plan is to cover his wings with a big coat. But hiding the thing that makes you different proves tricky and upsetting. Can Norman ever truly be himself? A poignant yet uplifting story about individuality, with stunning artwork in a striking minimal palette from the author/illustrator of Herman’s Letter. Fans of Oliver Jeffers and Benj Davies, will love it.

Why I like this: This book has a very clear simple universal message. To be yourself, no matter what. In very few words Tom puts across a compelling story of a moment of joy and discovery to one of shame, doubt, fear of what others think and feeling miserable. Kids will relate to Norman. Especially when attending a new school or play group, or find it hard to fit in or to be accepted. The bold clean line illustrations with light touches of colour only add to the clear universal message that it’s okay to be different. I loved the touch of humour, such as having a bath with the coat on, and the sweet faithful dog that is added in the illustrations. Tom uses illustrations to show emotion and details. With mostly full page illustrations Tom uses minimal text, with rule of threes and great page turns. This is a great book for a parent to read to their child and also a wonderful tool for in the classroom opening up discussions on what is normal and being unique.

Resources/Findings:  Here is Toms website….     http://tom-percival.com/     with some yummy books of his.

Here is an interview with Tom about his illustration work….   https://design.tutsplus.com/articles/interview-with-illustrator-tom-percival–vector-5573

Here are some ideas on how to teach kids to be unique….   https://www.kcedventures.com/blog/teaching-kids-to-be-themselves-be-unique

I’m always pleased to be able to bring you some more special books that have come my way and be able to share them with you and join other great writers over at Susanna’s Blog, where there are literally hundreds of book reviews to view.  So pop over  and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books.    Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.