Petey Perfectpants and the Silly Sock Puppet Problem

★ "Our verdict: Get it." — Kirkus Reviews

The laugh-out-loud picture book about friendship and perfectionism that kids, parents, and teachers are calling a must-have.

Is your child frozen by perfectionism? Meet Petey Perfectpants. His spelling tests are flawless. His shoes? Spotless. Mistakes? Never. But the one thing Petey can't seem to get right... is making friends.

When Petey's perfectly designed sock puppet pal refuses to behave, things unravel fast. The prank-loving puppet permanently latches onto Petey's hand — turning his perfect school day into lunchroom lunacy and classroom calamity.

Can Petey survive a day of sock-fueled silliness? Or will he discover that letting go of perfect might be exactly what he needs to finally make a real friend?

★ Parents report kids giggling from start to finish — and begging to read it again
★ Educators call it a must-have for every classroom bookshelf
★ A comforting story for any child who feels pressure to always get it right
★ Silly in all the right ways — vibrant illustrations and a message that sticks

Vibrant, character-packed illustrations by Gary Wilkinson bring every page to life — readers say the artwork transports you to a magical world.

Perfect for perfectionist kids ages 4-8, classroom read-alouds, library storytimes, and arts-and-crafts programs. Kids love creating their own silly sock puppet pals after storytime — making this a uniquely interactive experience beyond the book itself.

A great gift for kids ages 4-8, grades K-3, and any child who needs a gentle reminder that it's okay to be perfectly imperfect.

Jimmy Vee grew up making puppets and learning to talk without moving his lips. Now he writes funny picture books for kids who'd rather laugh than sit still.

Two of his books have been selected by Storyline Online, the Emmy-winning children's literacy program of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation: Professor Nincompoop, read by Bryan Cranston, and Petey Perfectpants and the Silly Sock Puppet Problem, read by Adam Brody.

He is also the author of How to Make Your Sock Talk: A Beginner's Guide to Ventriloquism, Look! There Are No Dinos Inside of This Book, and Little Jimmy Says, "Same Is Lame!"

When he isn't writing, he entertains people with magic and ventriloquism. He lives in Orlando, Florida with his wife, two kids, two dogs, over 100 ventriloquist dummies, and a drawer full of sock puppets.

Gary Wilkinson is a children's illustrator, teacher and busy father, who spends his time bringing wonderful story ideas to life at his messy desk in Kagawa, Japan. In addition to illustrating a wide series of books for children, Gary also looks to bring a smile to others as a caricature and portrait artist.