A Not So Perfect Start

Name: A Not So Perfect Start
Price: 32.99 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9798217028672

The Caring Classroom, Book 1

Trudy Ludwig, Maribel Lechuga

$32.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Knopf Books for Young Readers
08 September 2026

Children's & young adult fiction & true stories

Welcome to The Caring Classroom! A new series that gives kids the building blocks they need to be a kind and caring person in the classroom and beyond, from a trusted expert in social development.

In book 1, a young perfectionist learns from her mistakes when her first week of school turns into a perfect mess!

Welcome to The Caring Classroom! A new series that gives kids the building blocks they need to be a kind and caring person in the classroom and beyond, from a trusted expert in social development.

In book 1, a young perfectionist learns from her mistakes when her first week of school turns into a perfect mess!

It's the first week of school, and Thea wants everything to be perfect. She's determined not to make a single mistake-which leads to a lot of anxiety! When an art project disaster messes up her perfect week, Thea must make the best of an imperfect situation, with the help of her teacher and classmates. Turns out, a little mess is the perfect way to bring this caring classroom together!

From the renowned bullying expert who brought you The Invisible Boy comes a new series developed in partnership with kindergarten and early elementary teachers to encourage kindness and character growth in the classroom and beyond. Bright, inviting artwork from Maribel Lechuga brings the story to life, with a sprinkling of humor and heart on every page.

By: Trudy Ludwig, Maribel Lechuga
Imprint: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 279mm, Width: 216mm,
Weight: 567g
ISBN: 9798217028672
Pages: 32
Publication Date: 08 September 2026
Recommended Age: From 3 to 7 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , English as a second language
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

TRUDY LUDWIG, author of six books for children, has been profiled on national television, radio, and newsprint. An active member of the International Bullying Prevention Association, she is a sought after speaker who collaborates frequently with organizations like The Ophelia Project, Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Project, and Putting Family First. Trudy's books have received the Mom's Choice Gold Award, the Cooperative Children's Book Center's ""Best of the Best of the Year"" award, and have been recognized as NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Books for Young People. Trudy lives in Portland, Oregon.

Reviews for A Not So Perfect Start (The Caring Classroom, Book 1)

""Ludwig’s encouraging narrative provides plenty of reminders that art—and life—need not be flawless to be beautiful....A convincing argument that perfection may be overrated but kindness never is."" —Kirkus Reviews