The Most Beautiful Thing
A warmhearted and tender true story about a young girl finding beauty where she never thought to look.
Drawn from author Kao Kalia Yang's childhood experiences as a Hmong refugee, this moving picture book portrays a family with a great deal of love and little money. Weaving together Kalia's story with that of her beloved grandmother, the book moves from the jungles of Laos to the family's early years in the United States.
When Kalia becomes unhappy about having to do without and decides she wants braces to improve her smile, it is her grandmother--a woman who has just one tooth in her mouth--who helps her see that true beauty is found with those we love most. Stunning illustrations from Vietnamese illustrator Khoa Le bring this intergenerational tale to life.
"A deep and moving reflection on enduring hardship and generational love. . . . Poignant storytelling with stunning visuals."--starred, Kirkus Reviews
"A sincere narrative that centers on the power of family love."--starred, School Library Journal
Minnesota Book Award Finalist, ALA Notable Children's Book, New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, NPR Best Book of the Year
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Become an affiliateKhoa Le is an illustrator, graphic designer, painter and freelance author. She graduated from Fine Arts University in Ho Chi Minh, where she lives and works. She has authored and/or illustrated 10 books.
"A sincere narrative that centers on the power of family love."--starred, School Library Journal
-- (11/1/2020 12:00:00 AM)"A deep and moving reflection on enduring hardship and generational love. . . . Poignant storytelling with stunning visuals."--starred, Kirkus Reviews
-- (8/1/2020 12:00:00 AM)"Yang centers her cherished paternal grandmother in this poignant picture book memoir."--Publishers Weekly
-- (11/16/2020 12:00:00 AM)"Richly colored mixed-media illustrations feature beautiful, intricate patterns as a backdrop to this tale of a close-knit, multigenerational family."--Booklist
-- (10/15/2020 12:00:00 AM)