“Norman had always been normal – perfectly normal. Until one day …
Norman has an everyday life for a boy of his age: playing with friends, living in a typical neighbourhood, and having parents who look after him well until he grows wings. And his life turns around! He became miserable! He put on a coat to solve the issue and found that there wasn’t any joy around, not at the swimming pool, not even at parties. After encountering many difficulties, Norman thought the problem was not the wings but the coat. What Norman discovered is that when you enjoy yourself, you can be helpful to others.
“Perfectly Norman” is a courageous story that encourages us not to be ashamed of our differences but to acknowledge and be true to ourselves and others. Tom Percival depicts Norman’s strong personality and positive experiences in colours, opposing the rest of the illustrations presented in grey, which follow a similar style in the Big Bright Feelings Series. “Perfectly Norman” is a perfect story for Mental Health Week, highlighting the importance of valuing yourself and others for who they are.
“Perfectly Norman” is another shining example of Tom Percival’s talent, adding to the brilliance of the Big Bright Feelings Series. His ability to tackle complex themes with sensitivity and his unique artistic style make this book a must-read for anyone interested in children’s literature and mental health.
Further Information:
If you loved Perfectly Norman, check out more information about its author and illustrator:
Further Reading:
Bea’s Bad Day: A Big Bright Feelings Book
The Stats:
- Title: Perfectly Norman
- Author and Illustrator: Tom Percival
- ISBN: 978 1 40888097 5
- Publication Date: 2018
- Page Count: 32
- Publisher: Bloomsbury
- Recommended age: 4-8
- Categories/Topic: mental health, acceptance, differences
Where to Find it:
- Buy on: Amazon
- Find on: Goodreads
