Exclusive Cover Reveal: It Is (Not) Perfect by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant

We are here today to reveal the cover of It Is (Not) Perfect by the Geisel Award-winning team Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant.

But first, I had a few questions for them . . .

Travis: This new book is about the meaning of “perfect”. Are you perfectionists? How did this story come about?

Anna: I am a recovering perfectionist. I was one for most of my life, into adulthood and parenthood, and I try to be aware of my tendency whenever I can. The pursuit of “perfection” is such a self-defeating one, as most of us know, since there is no such thing as “perfect.” I really hope children will learn that practice makes progress, not perfection, and to always follow their instincts and their joy.

Chris: I may not be a perfectionist, but I am a dedicated imperfectionist.

Travis: What’s the most challenging part of creating the books in this series?

Anna: For me, the challenge is finding another worthwhile theme to explore in this series about perspective, and figuring out a way to tell it that is both fresh and fun.

Chris: The greatest challenge for me is telling the story visually in a way that’s both familiar yet ventures someplace completely new. Anna’s stories always create new opportunities for me, as the artist, to discover more about our orange and purple characters’ world, their relationship to each other (and to new friends) and their emotional journey that bring the challenges I love most.

Travis: You Are (Not) Small won a Geisel Award. Did that come as a total shock? Were you aware of the award?

Anna: We were definitely aware of the award, and it most certainly came as a total shock. As the Geisel Committee Chair, Kevin Delecki, will attest, I had to ask him several times if his phone call was for real or if it was a joke. It took a few minutes for him to convince me it was legitimate. That phone call was one of the most humbling and amazing moments, and I will always be grateful for the honor.

Chris: It was completely unexpected. So much so, I was out of the house painting sets for my daughter’s school musical, oblivious to the possibility that we might get a call. I was covered in paint and almost didn’t answer my phone when Anna called me to tell me the news!

Travis: The Big Question: What snack puts you in peak creativity mode?

Anna: Hi-Chew candy is one of the greatest pleasures in my writing life.

Chris: Although I’m partial to anything Reese’s peanut butter related, I’m going to say a Snickers because it’s the 3-course meal of the candy world. With a Snickers and a cup of coffee, I could probably figure out how to send an astronaut to Mars.

And now, for the first time, It Is (Not) Perfect by Anna Kang and Christopher Weyant. Published by Two Lions. Out May 12, 2020.