Description
By (author) McGann Erika; Illustrated by Toni Galmés
Short /annotation:
A fun and engaging story about the impossibility of perfection
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Senan uses his binoculars to spy out the Shy Town, a sweet little place on a hill, with winding streets and red and yellow roofs. Senan calls it the Shy Town because it often hides and is hard to find.
He tells his next-door friend Joshua about the Shy Town, and they set off, with Senan’s grandmother in a ramshackle wheelchair, to find this elusive place. Along the way they make friends with Paperboy. Who is, as you’d expect, a boy made of paper.
With the help of a kruckle (a sort of Shy Town creature) that they meet on their journey, they find the Shy Town, only its real name is Perfection, because it is absolutely perfect.
But all is not well in Perfection: the inhabitants are constantly worrying about making it more and more perfect. But since more perfect than perfect is an impossibility, they are constantly exhausted.
What can Senan and friends do to save the kruckles from their obsession with perfection?
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“Absurdist scenarios and vivid characters propel the story along.”
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“Particularly suited to those who struggle with anxiety and pressure to be perfect.”
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“Whimsical, yet sincere, McGann’s subtle story on the perils and pressures of chasing perfection is an imaginative treat.”
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“Capturing the essence of the endless possibilities open to those, even the very shy, who allow their imaginations to roam free, this is a delightful summer holiday adventure for ages six-plus.”
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“A whimsical story with a perfectly imperfect ending.”
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“This book is entertaining, full of adventure, and one that will hook readers from the first few chapters.”
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“Chasing the Shy Town is an imaginative story, encouraging readers to develop a more adventurous spirit about life as Senan overcomes his reluctance, gains in confidence and begins to enjoy himself.”
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“It is intriguing because I really wanted to find out what Shy Town is! … I really like this book!”
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“A great adventure for ages seven and over.”
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“This was a fun novel that I could read in one sitting.”
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“Action, adventure, fast-paced, curious, imaginative, clever and, yes… full of heart. You will enjoy every single page.”
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“This is a lovely book celebrating the impossibility of perfection.”
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“This is a lovely book with a highly original story that will keep young children engaged.”
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“This was a fantastic adventure for young readers. I was on the edge of my seat seeing if they would make it to Shytown. It was also a great conversation piece about anxiety and feelings.“
Biographical note:
Erika McGann is an award-winning children’s author based in Dublin. She has written a wide range of children’s books, including Where Are You, Puffling? (with illustrator Gerry Daly) and Tabitha Plimtock and the Edge of the World (with illustrations by Phillip Cullen), which was awarded a White Raven by the International Youth Library.
Toni has always liked to tell stories through his drawings. Toni was born in Mallorca, a sunny Mediterranean island. Later he moved to Barcelona to study Fine Arts. There he learned, read, and worked as a storyboard artist f
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