ReadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2025

Perfect Pedro

Simon Philip author Ella Okstad illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Oxford University Press

Published:7th Aug '25

Should be back in stock very soon

Perfect Pedro cover

Pedro wants everything to be perfect. But what if imperfection is more fun?

Pedro wants everything to be perfect, but he hasn't yet found the perfect friend. Could Poppy be the one?For Pedro, everything must be perfect, but he's not yet found the perfect friend. One day he meets Poppy, who seems perfect too-until Pedro goes round to her house for tea and, to Pedro's horror, she dips her chips in mustard and burps the entire alphabet! Still, Pedro and Poppy prepare a hula-hoop routine for the talent show, but Pedro decides that Poppy just isn't taking it seriously enough, so he goes at it alone. As Pedro is about to find out, aiming for perfection may not be a perfect approach to life. Sometimes doing something imperfectly with a friend can be a lot more fun! From the award-winning Simon Philip comes a hilarious new picture book about perfectionism, friendship, and hula-hooping!

"Perfect Pedro is a perfect read-aloud book... The school setting will be familiar to many young book lovers as will Pedro's various classmates... This book is an ideal back to school read, which teachers can use to promote discussions around expectations for the year ahead. Topics such as resilience, confidence and feeling embarrassment feature. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read which has plenty to say to young readers." * Tina Derry, ReadingZone *
'A highly relatable and playful story about the importance of imperfection - especially when it comes to choosing our friends' * Duncan Beedie, author and illustrator of The Bear Who Stared *
'Two picture book greats in one perfect tale!' * Kate Hindley, award-winning children's book illustrator of The Littlest Yak *
"I truly enjoyed reading [this] book. I hope this book is read...so that everyone understands that being imperfect is a genuine expression of our uniqueness!" * Lucia Gaggiotti, illustrator of I Really Want the Cake *
"What a perfectly lovely picture book!" * Wendy Meddour, author of Tisha and Blossom *
"I searched for imperfections in this delightful book and couldn't find any - pitch perfect!" * Jeanne Willis, author of Slug Needs a Hug and Who's in the Loo? *
"What a treat! Pages of perfectly poised kids in a pickle." * Sharon Davey, illustrator of I Don't Like Books. Never. Ever. The End and Do Not Disturb the Dragons *
"As a recovering perfectionist this book struck a chord - I hope children everywhere find a friend as imperfect as Poppy. A perfectly perfect picture book about the pitfalls of perfection." * Claire Powell, author of The Swifts and Marty Moose in First Class Mischief *
"This is such a perfect story about embracing imperfection for anyone who is afraid of making mistakes. It's sweet and funny with lively characters and absolutely gorgeous artwork." * Naomi Jones, award winning author of Thunderboots *
"Picture Book Perfection! Pedro is sure to become children's imperfect hero!" * Nathan Reed, illustrator of Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Sharks *
"The enjoyable, bouncing rhythm of Philip's words are perfectly matched with Okstad's clever compositions and heartwarming details. My daughter and I will laugh and learn every time we read this humorously heartfelt story!" * Neil Clark, author and illustrator of Crash Bang Wallop! and Sparkle & Splodge *
"This is terrific - the perfect picture book; LOVE the illustrations, and the humorous story - hoops of fun!" * Steven Lenton, illustrator of the Shifty McGifty series *

ISBN: 9781382057691

Dimensions: 240mm x 240mm x 1mm

Weight: 157g

32 pages