Wanted: Perfect Parents

by John Himmelman

Gregory puts a job description on his bedroom door for the "perfect parents," and his parents are pleasantly surprised to discover that they can gladly perform a perfect parent's most important function.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 13, 1993

About the author

John Himmelman is the author and illustrator of more than sixty books for children, including Chickens to the Rescue. He lives in Connecticut with his family.

According John's Facebook page, he has been "making up stories and scribbling pictures since I could hold a crayon in my hand. It became my job in 1981, when my first book, "Talester the Lizard" was published during my last year in college (School of Visual Arts)....It behooves a writer to try and turn what interests them into their work. I've been fortunate to do that with my love of nature, with books - for adults and children - focusing on different natural history topics."

Reviews

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all sometimes muse on what it would be like if we had perfect parents. And each person would have a different idea about what perfect parents would be for them. This little boy dreams what perfect parents would like like to him.

**Talking points - is it easy or hard to be a parent? Why? What would it take to be a perfect parent to you? What would it look like to be a perfect parent to your children? Would the parents that the boy in the story wants really be good for him to have? Why or why not?

[Renensia Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it provided an entertaining view of the lives that many young children live. The main character with a static characterization, demonstrated how the perfect parents would allow him to live the life of his dreams. With great diction and pictures, students would potentially be able to relate to this book easily.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy Fiction
1st-2nd grade
This book was very enjoyable. It had a lot of content for just a short story. The plot was fast pace so it would be great for young readers to stay engaged. I really liked the story line and the moral of it as-well.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids enjoyed reading this book. I thought that it was a silly and enjoyable book. I would recommend this book to others.

[Caroline Herfindahl]

Wanted: Perfect Parents - that is the sign on the child’s bedroom door. When asked what makes perfect parents the child tells us. But are perfect parents what we really want?

[Tym · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story with lots of imagination and heart excellently backed by funny and charming illustrations

[Samantha Brumbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: Gregory puts a job description on his bedroom door for the "perfect parents," and his parents are pleasantly surprised to discover that they can gladly perform a perfect parent's most important function.
Genre: Fictional Picture Book
Reading Level:Late Transitional, this book is late transitional because there are a few sentences on each page. Most pages have around 3 sentences on them. The illustrations in this book are very helpful at telling the story. The child could most likely understand the story with the illustrations only. The font Is medium size and changes location on every page.
Topic:Using your imagination, creating your own world
Curriculum Uses: Could be used as a read-aloud book for K-2 grade or an independent reading book for 1-3.
Social Issues: This book looks into the relationship of a boy and his parents. It looks at the conversations they have and the expectations each of them have.
Literary Elements: This book uses a lot of exaggerated language. The author also uses foreshadowing in the beginning of the story by saying that Gregory put a sign on the door that said he was looking for the perfect parents.
Illustrations & Text: The text and illustrations both show a lot of creativity and imagination. The pictures help to show the things in which Gregory is imagining in his head.

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gregory has a larger than life imagination for sure! One day he places an add on his bedroom door stating "Wanted: Perfect Parents, inquire within." When his less than perfect parents ask about the job, they learn exactly how creative and demanding their son can be. A silly fun read aloud that kids will love and could lead to a fanciful conversation about what your children would look for in a perfect parent.

[The Brothers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gregory hangs a sign on his door advertising for perfect parents. When his parents go in to his room to ask him about it, he proceeds to tell them all the wonderful things his perfect parents will let him do.

Nice illustrations (by John Himmelman of the "Chickens to the Rescue" fame.)

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that could be used to start a writing assignment for elementary aged children about what kind of parents they wish for, or what kind of parents they plan to be. I liked that the book ended with a more tender element of what means the most to the boy-child in the book.

[Megan Breslow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute story! The little boy in the story tells his parents what perfect parents would let him do. Each page gets more and more outrageous. Great for inspiring creative writing.

[Ruth Ann]

A zany book from a kid's point of view with one last, reasonable request that is granted!

[Shelly Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for students to see how to use their imagination to switch around what they think is a perfect parent and not what most see as a perfect parent.