A Perfectly Messed-Up Story

My son gives it 5 Stars and says he loves it, specially when voices are used to exaggerate the story.

My daughter just turned two. At first, I thought that this book is a bit too "meta" for her: the character in the book starts his story, but then encounters jelly stain, peanut butter stain (that plops on his face), orange juice, dirty fingerprints, etc. In the end, those "stains" become the story itself, and he celebrates that. (So, if you like books with a message, I guess this one would be that the "messes," as they're called in this book, can actually make up the story itself - or, in other words, that mistakes are a part of life, and sometimes even a beautiful part. I suppose it is a good message for parents of toddlers too... )To go back to the target audience, my daughter seemed uninterested in this book at first; she was in one of her active periods where she couldn't follow a new story. However, one day, she "got" it. She realized what's happening to the main character, and - when I read his "what?!" and "aaargh!"-s with emotion - she found it hilarious. When the story in the middle of the book attempts to start "from the top," a new mess appears (crayon scribbles), she was howling with laughter as only a toddler can: ) And when I hear "Again, again!" at the end of the book, the book is a winner. And this one is!

The book was in great condition for what I paid for it. I love this book. My sons are still too little to get it, but I know they'll love it

The 4-year old grandson isn't a big one for books, and being read to, except for a few favorites. A Perfectly Messed Up Story was an immediate hit! Louie's misadventures and determination are so appealing to young children (and probably lots of older ones too).I hadn't realized that the author, Patrick McDonnell, is a cartoonist and his cartoons are published in national newspapers, such as the Chicago Tribune. I make sure to check them out in the paper and share them with the grandson too.

This story is so funny. Kids laughed and laughed at the frustration of the main character. He is so upset when his book gets dirty and sticky. Students will learn how to handle books even if they take them home.

My grandsons have loved this book for several years, so I had to buy it for my grand daughter and she loves it just as much.

What an amazing book!!! I 100% recommend it and I NEVER give reviews simply because my life is so hectic and busy I never have time. My daughter just turned four in June and absolutely loves this book! She asked me to read it every single night as one of her bedtime books! Not only does she love it but I enjoy reading it with her; we laugh together as we read it. She is into funny silly books now and I search constantly for ones that we will enjoy and nothing has even come close to this one!! I promise you and your little one will absolutely love this book!! I promise you and your little one will absolutely love this book!!!

What an uber, cute way to teach little ones about having a growth mindset. There is great beauty in the epiphany the main character has at the end of the story. I certainly recommend!

Beautiful book and great quality

My boys (aged 6 & 4) loved this book. In fact my 4 year old wanted it read again straight away. I've never heard him belly laugh like that when he saw the peanut butter on Louie's head. Hilarious! And I like the 'moral' behind it - that it's ok to mess up. Great life lesson and fabulous book.

Great little story and very sweet. My boys loved it and the drawings are beautiful too.

As a teacher librarian this is a great book to start off the school year. Reinforces responsibility, and respect towards books. The students also enjoyed the humour and the illustrations. A Perfectly Messed-Up Story can be used for grades K-4/5, and even higher with a proper introduction to the older grades.

This really simple book is fabulous to read aloud to 3 -5 year olds who are messy and fuss.It teaches you about how to keep the book clean and also how badly the protagonist behaves when his book is not.Good fun.Kids love it if narrated in a melodramatic fashion.