2024 the best and most beautiful things review

Price: $18.99 - $13.59
(as of Nov 18, 2024 19:56:10 UTC - Details)

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

From the Publisher

"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

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Carolrhoda Books ® (October 6, 2020)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1541561910
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1541561915
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 9 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 850
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.5 x 0.31 x 11.25 inches
Reviewer: Deirdre Laide
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Stunning Illustrations, poignant story
Review: Gorgeous book.

Reviewer: international
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: We should all read Kai Kaila Yang
Review: Liked all of it. The spirit, the heart, the sharing , and the images. We should all carry Kai Kaila Yang’s spirit in our hearts. Beautiful stories that must be told. Thank you.

Reviewer: Gao Khang
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Adorable
Review: Got this book to add to my babys bookshelf. It's an adorable story. Not my babys favorite cause he's only one year old right now so he can't quite understand yet. But it's definitely a book for older babies! Can't wait to read it to my baby again when he actually understands! Read this book to my niece when she came over and she loved it. She said she wanted one for herself so her daddy can read it to her. Of course I had to get her one too!! I think it made her feel special.

Reviewer: Nancy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Bought this for my Mom and she cried
Review: I bought this as a Christmas gift to my Mom (who is Hmong) and she cried. Perfect message and representation!

Reviewer: K shea
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: So beautiful and the story is sweet
Review: I got this for a friend who is having a child and we all marveled at the beautiful illustrations at the baby shower. The story is so touching too.

Reviewer: Vanessa Johnson
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book for read alouds!
Review: I got this book for a text analysis and read aloud for my credential program. I wanted to pick a book that would connect with my students with Hmong heritage (I live in Fresno, CA). I felt this book connecting with my personal experience as well. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to connect with individuals with an immigrant background. What a wonderful book! Such rich language, themes, and illustrations! My kiddos (kinder) are going to love this! Thank you Kao for sharing your stories with us!

Reviewer: sherry mccann
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Respecting Elders
Review: So, I'm a millenial White American parent and it's hard to see my parents generation differ in values so radically.... it leaves me wondering how in the world I can teach my children to respect and honor their elders while also holding boundaries. This book, that's how. I was so touched by the family relationships in this book and the eschewing of beauty standards that bankrupt us all. Such a treasure.

Reviewer: pjg
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Beautiful family story
Review: I received an electronic ARC from Lerner Publishing Group through NetGalley.Beautiful story of a family. Kalia yearns for things her family cannot afford - ice cream, new clothes, meat. This culminates when she asks for braces for her teeth and is told no as they can't afford them. Her discontent is woven through the book. Also woven through is her grandmother's journey. Her life of hardship after her parents died and she had to raise younger brothers and sisters. She came to the United States and raised her own family also. Her acceptance of little comes from not having anything so she models contentment and peace. It's through looking at and listening to her grandmother, that Kalia comes to acknowledge that she too will be okay with what they have.The illustrations are gorgeous and bring out the emotions felt by the characters. Don't miss all the details in the background that share their story.Helpful pronunciation guide before the story.

Reviewer: Hmong
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Je ne m'attendais pas à recevoir un album aussi grand !Je pensais que le livre allait être un format "moyen", mais à ma grande surprise non ! Et tant mieux !On ne peut qu'apprécier les illustrations et l'histoire !Personnellement, je ne me suis pas reconnue dans l'histoire, mais je me suis sentie très proche sûrement car cette histoire est très "hmong".Je suis sûre que d'autres hmong ont vécu, plus ou moins, cette histoire.Je ne vous spoil quand même !Cela m'a fais plaisir de lire un album jeunesse écrit par une hmong, sur les hmong et de voir des illustrations hmong.Que ce soit pour vous (hmong ou non), votre entourage (hmong ou non) ou encore vos enfants (hmong ou non), je vous le recommande !Prenez-le, lisez-le et partagez-le !Mais le plus important, j'espère de tout cœur que vous allez apprécier cet album jeunesse :)Pour ma part, je l'ai prit pour ma nièce hmong. J'en suis très satisfaite !