The Perfect Present

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by Petr Horacek

Interest age: 2 to 3

Published by Otter Barry Books, 2022

Picture books

About this book

The two cats Tom and Mot are best friends and share the same birthday. Tom gives Mot a feather – but could it be a feather from the most spectacular bird in the world? Mot gives Tom a marble – or is it the smallest planet in the universe?

Tom would like to give a whale, a dolphin, a sea monster, an elephant, while Mot would give rivers, mountains, forests and even the sun! But after a joyful day playing together, they realise the best present of them all is spending time with one another.

Petr Horáček’s illustrations are soothing and captivating, transporting you into the world of his characters’ imagination, accompanied by a charming message of spending time together. This heart-warming picture book about the power of imagination and friendship will be the perfect present for bedtime.

About the author

I grew up in Prague in the Czech Republic. Just outside our flat there was a wood where I spent lots of time playing with friends. We would climb on piles of soil or build bunkers from forgotten builder's materials. I always wanted to be an illustrator, but I preferred to look at the pictures inside the books rather than to read them. I would listen to the story or watch a film and then fill up my sketchbook with pictures and images from the story. I started to read books quite late, but I haven't stopped since.