Perfect Man

"Michael Maxwell McAllum was the smallest boy in his class. He lived in a small house in a small town on a small street." So begins Wilson and Griffiths' delightful story, "Perfect Man." Michael's all time most-favoritest superhero is the blue-caped, silver-helmeted Perfect Man. He's a hero of mystery, no one knows his true name, no one even knows where he lives, but he's got marketing on his side! "Michael Maxwell McAllum was Perfect Man's biggest fan. He covered his wall with Perfect man posters. He read Perfect man comics and played Perfect Man video games. He ate Perfect Man cereal and wore Perfect Man T-shirts." To Michael, Perfect Man truly IS perfect in every way. Then an interesting twist happens (the first of many) and PM decides to call it quits. He holds a press conference and tells the public that it's time to move on and do something else. The press is curious-where will he go? What will he do? "Oh, I'll find something," PM says, "after all, there's ore than one way to save the world." You'd THINK MMM would be devastated, but he's got a secret faith in PM. After all, PM escaped from space pirates, escaped from the 10th Dimension and even came back from the dead! Of COURSE PM would be coming back, how could you think otherwise?? Nothing happens all summer except for an alien invasion in New York ("They always invaded New York. They never invaded his small town"); other superheroes team up to send the green nasties back to outer space and PM is still not heard form. THEN the next wonderful twist in the story happens: "and then Perfect Man came back. Or maybe not. It was hard to tell. He wasn't wearing the costume." Michael Maxwell McCullum believes that his new teacher, Mr. Clark, IS Perfect Man, only a bit flabbier and rounder. Mr. Clark doesn't yell, loose his temper or take any sick days. When there's conflict, he's there to help smooth the way. When there's pain, he's there to make it feel better. "he was everywhere at once. At least it seemed that way." Though he's convinced that his teacher is PM, he doesn't tell anyone, not even his parents. Though he dreamed of PM coming back to the world of supers and joining him as his sidekick, he doesn't tell ANYONE. Instead, Michael writes stories about Perfect Man. He gives these to his teacher who is quietly impressed and, we can guess by the smile on his face, delighted. One day, Michael tells Mr. Clark he knows the secret, he KNOWS Mr. Clark is Perfect Man. "Mr. Clark smiled. `Do I look like Perfect Man?'" Well, no, not really, but there are shape-shifting machines dreamt up by evil scientists and there are other supers like the Dark Avenger who could help him change his appearance, so it's still quite possible. Mr. Clark doesn't say either way whether or not he's a transmogrified Perfect Man, but he DOES give Michael a bit of advice that changes Michael's focus: "you don't need to be the sidekick, Michael. You can be the superhero." How exac

This book is destined to be a classic. Great for anyone who loves comic books, superheroes, writing, or who can relate to a kid who needs a boost in his self-esteem. My kids, a girl age 9 and a boy age 7, both love this book. The author visited their school and did a reading there, and the kids are STILL talking about this book weeks later. (Well, the author *did* show up in a Perfect Man costume!) The book is great fun. The illustrations are wonderful. But it's the story that's best of all. My kids also love Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type and Bently and Egg by William Joyce.

What I love best about Perfect Man is its kid logic. Michael Maxwell McAllum believes. And it's a true credit to author Troy Wilson that we accept little Michael's leap of logic without question. Illustrator Dean Griffiths' illustrations rise (up, up, and away...) to the occasion-whether it's Perfect Man flying over the New York skyline or little Michael's cat sprawled in sleep over Michael's body.Perfect Man is, above all, great fun. That it also celebrates teachers and writers and children's imaginations is an extra, wonderful bonus for all.

This book is terrific not only for comic book lovers and kids interested in writing, but for any kid who may need help boosting his or her self-esteem. This book is all about looking inside, finding our own special talents, and ultimately feeling at home in the world. It is a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations, and I'll be surprised if it doesn't win all sorts of awards. Buy it! You won't be disappointed!

Michael Maxwell McAllum is a young boy who is obsessed with real-life superhero named "Perfect man". After Perfect Man retires, Michael must make a choice, sink into despair or discover his own life, and his own super-powers. He discovers that he has his own imagination, and begins to write down his stories.This is a great book, in the tradition of Freak the Mighty, that encourages young people to write their thoughts and ideas down on paper.The writing is superb, and the artwork is beyond belief. This Canadian import is well worth the price. Especially for parents who dabbled in comic-book reading themselves (and not the Archie kind), you'll love this book.Brian PankratzVancouver, BC, Canada