BEN YOKOYAMA AND THE COOKIE OF PERFECTION

A fortune cookie sets Ben on the road to perfection.

One morning, after Ben Yokoyama’s mom burns the pancakes, his dad ruins Ben’s jersey while doing the laundry, and his best friend, Janet, is late, he is overwhelmed with frustration and anger. So, when his fortune cookie says “practice makes perfect,” Ben decides that everyone in his life, including himself, just needs more practice to get to perfection. An opportunity arises when Ben makes friends with Darby, the new kid who has a secret, extraordinarily accomplished alter ego, Darbino. Darbino gives Ben lessons in being perfect, and at first, Ben is overjoyed. But reaching perfection proves more difficult than he imagined, especially when it seems he has to give up baseball, something he loves—even if he can’t do it perfectly. And when Ben’s pursuit for perfection ends in deceit and near disaster, he realizes that maybe being perfect isn’t really all that great. This third installment of the Cookie Chronicles is just as hilarious and entertaining as its predecessors. Silly black-and-white illustrations and dramatic analogies fill the pages. Japanese and White Ben tackles challenges like accepting your imperfections, living up to expectations, trying your best, and repairing broken relationships. The Japanese concept of kintsugi—the art of repairing broken pottery with gold seams—is woven into the story.

Another delightful, sidesplitting chronicle.