Perfect The Way I Am by Michael Belliotti is a short children's picture book with an important message. Lila has diabetes, and she has to wear a glucose monitor all the time. But she’s scared of what everyone at school will think and say to her. But Lila’s mom tells her she’s brave and gives her the courage to tell her school friends what the monitor is for and how it helps her all day and all night. Lila’s friends come together to support her and embrace her “superpower” as she lives with her condition, never letting it pull her down.

Perfect The Way I Am by Michael Belliotti is an educational story about a young girl living with diabetes. It’s the perfect story for children who have been diagnosed and have to learn to live with diabetes. The message behind it is clear – their differences are what make them who they are, children who have the power to make the world a better place. Written in rhyme, the story is accompanied by some lovely illustrations and is an easy read for kids of all ages. It teaches them that the strongest people are those with compassion and courage, no matter what form it comes in, and it also teaches that, just because someone is different, it doesn’t mean they should be excluded. This is a lovely story for children to read at bedtime, but it should also be introduced into school reading time, as schools have a duty to ensure all their kids are looked after and not treated differently. Recommended to all readers, especially those who have or know a child with diabetes.

Perfect the Way I Am by Michael Belliotti follows the story of a young girl who lives with diabetes and must constantly wear a glucose monitor. Lila wakes up one morning to find her stomach feeling a bit iffy. She is grateful for the glucose monitor on her arm, but a nagging worry lingers in her mind about her schoolmates' perceptions of it. After being reassured by her mother, Lila goes to school. But she hides her arm so no one can see her patch. When a classmate finally asks her about her patch, Lila remembers her mother's words and bravely talks about the patch being her lucky charm that keeps her safe. Now, she realizes that she has nothing to worry about. When she returns home, Lila hugs her mother.

Perfect the Way I Am is an uplifting tale about learning to find joy in one's own unique qualities. Author Michael Belliotti presents a delightful picture book that teaches children to embrace their own abilities. Lila is a fascinating protagonist who will definitely resonate with children. Over the course of the story, she learns to accept herself as she is and even comes to celebrate the glucose monitor on her arm. Belliotti's rhyming narrative is sure to be a hit among kids. Children will be able to read the story out loud, which makes for a more engaging experience. The illustrations are the cherry on top. The way Lila is drawn makes it easy for young readers to relate to her. Overall, it's a fantastic picture book for children.