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
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
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978-1-5415-6191-5
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$14.24 | |
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978-1-7284-0479-0
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$22.99 | |
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978-1-7284-3926-6
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$34.99 | |
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978-1-7284-3924-2
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$6.99 |
| Interest Level | Kindergarten - Grade 3 |
|---|---|
| Reading Level | Grade 2 |
| Genre | Picture Books, Social Studies |
| Category | 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Narrative Nonfiction, Diverse Books: Immigration & Refugees, Diverse Books: #OwnVoices, Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: D Relationship Skills, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning |
| Copyright | 2020 |
| Publisher | Lerner Publishing Group |
| Imprint | Carolrhoda Books ® |
| Language | English |
| Number of Pages | 32 |
| Publication Date | 2020-10-06 |
| Text Type | Narrative Nonfiction |
|---|---|
| BISACS | JNF007050, JNF019030, JNF018020 |
| Dewey | 305.8959/72073 |
| Dimensions | 9.25 x 11 |
| Lexile | 850 |
| Guided Reading Level | R |
| ATOS Reading Level | 4.2 |
| Accelerated Reader® Points | 0.5 |
| Features | Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Original artwork, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, Teaching Guides, and eSource |
Author, Narrator: Kao Kalia Yang
Kao Kalia Yang is a Hmong American writer, teacher and public speaker. Born in the refugee camps of Thailand to a family that escaped the genocide of the Secret War in Laos, she came to America at the age six. Yang holds degrees from Carleton College and Columbia University. Her work has won numerous awards and recognition including multiple Minnesota Book Awards, a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, an ALA Notable Children’s Book Award, the 2023 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, Dayton’s Literary Peace Prize, and a PEN USA Award in Nonfiction.
Illustrator: Khoa Le
Khoa Le has illustrated picture books published in a number of different countries, including the 2020 Sydney Taylor Honor book Miriam at the River. She is also an author, a graphic designer, and a painter. Khoa has a passion for travel, an eagerness to learn about different cultures, and a desire to discover the beauty of the world. Her inner moth makes her attracted to any source of light, but her dream is to one day see the northern lights. She lives in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, with her five cats.
Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!
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… View available downloads →
A Multisensory Experience: The Most Beautiful Thing Audisee and Audiobook
Explore The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang like never before through its immersive Audisee® eBook with audio format. Read on to discover how these formats add new dimensions to this beloved story! The Most Beautiful Thing by Kao Kalia Yang is a poignant exploration of family… View →
World Refugee Day: Books that Highlight Refugee Rights & Experiences
June 20 is World Refugee Day, observed to acknowledge the right of anyone, anywhere, to seek safety. Below, discover nonfiction books that recount true stories of refugees around the world and discuss refugee rights, along with fiction picks that reflect refugee experiences. Learn more… View →
Awards
- ALA Notable Children's Books
- Minnesota Book Award Finalist
- Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices
- Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
- Kirkus Best Children's Books
- New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2020
- NPR Best Books of the Year
Reviews
Publishers Weekly
“Yang centers her cherished paternal grandmother in this poignant picture book memoir.”—Publishers Weekly
School Library Journal
“A sincere narrative that centers on the power of family love.”—starred, School Library Journal
Booklist
“Richly colored mixed-media illustrations feature beautiful, intricate patterns as a backdrop to this tale of a close-knit, multigenerational family.”—Booklist
Kirkus Reviews
“A deep and moving reflection on enduring hardship and generational love. . . . Poignant storytelling with stunning visuals.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews