2024 the best and most beautiful things review
Price: $19.99 - $11.29
(as of Dec 27, 2024 08:42:07 UTC - Details)
Award-winning author and illustrator Ashley Spires has created a charming picture book about an unnamed girl and her very best friend, who happens to be a dog. The girl has a wonderful idea. “She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! She knows just how it will look. She knows just how it will work. All she has to do is make it, and she makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take a walk, she comes back to her project with renewed enthusiasm and manages to get it just right.
For the early grades’ exploration of character education, this funny book offers a perfect example of the rewards of perseverance and creativity. The girl’s frustration and anger are vividly depicted in the detailed art, and the story offers good options for dealing honestly with these feelings, while at the same time reassuring children that it’s okay to make mistakes. The clever use of verbs in groups of threes is both fun and functional, offering opportunities for wonderful vocabulary enrichment. The girl doesn’t just “make” her magnificent thing --- she “tinkers and hammers and measures,” she “smoothes and wrenches and fiddles,” she “twists and tweaks and fastens.” These precise action words are likely to fire up the imaginations of youngsters eager to create their own inventions and is a great tie-in to learning about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
From the Publisher
Collect all of Ashley Spires's picture books!
You'll love these irresistible, quirky characters and laugh-out-loud stories.
Ashley Spires
Ashley Spires grew up in a little town on the coast of British Columbia called Tsawwassen with two parents, an older sister, eight cats, a dog and the occasional newt.
For a while she thought that animation was her future, but then photography caught her eye, which led her to bookmaking courses. These classes opened her eyes to the world of illustration and she never looked back. Delighted that there was, in fact, a career that allowed her to remain in her pajamas, hang out with her cats and be productive at the same time, she knew illustration was the perfect job for her.
Ashley spent time living in Toronto and Saskatoon before returning to her home turf of Delta, British Columbia where she now resides with three cats, a dog and her extremely patient fella.
Everyone Loves The Most Magnificent Thing!
"A model for girl engineers.”
— Publishers Weekly.
"Precisely the kind of book we need for kids these days."
— Elizabeth Bird.
"Expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight.”
— Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review.
100 Titles for Reading and Sharing
— New York Public Library.
Publisher : Kids Can Press; Illustrated edition (April 1, 2014)
Language : English
Hardcover : 32 pages
ISBN-10 : 1554537045
ISBN-13 : 978-1554537044
Reading age : 3 - 7 years, from customers
Lexile measure : AD380L
Grade level : Preschool - 2
Item Weight : 12.8 ounces
Dimensions : 9.3 x 1.5 x 9.3 inches
Reviewer: Indywrites
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Magnificent Indeed
Review: The Most Magnificent Thing is picture book worth reading time and again with our children even for us adults when we lose perspective. It sends the perfect message to the reader about not giving up and looking at the problem from a different point of view. Just set back and recharge before tackling a difficult problem that is stuck.I was pulled into the book with the cover and blurb and immediately requested it. The book is not just a story about making something but learning as well. The girl tries to invent something, tinkering and planning as she goes about her task. Learning and play along with reading make a delightful trio in this book, The Most Magnificent Thing.It is a simple story that can be a good guiding and motivating book for small children. I sat and read it to my son and we read it twice and talked about the pictures and all the little changes and activities the little girl was doing. Her cute, silly dog made the story funny and endearing. The furry assistant sure made a lot of things easy. Only now, my son is asking for his own assistant so he too can build âmagnificent thingsâ.The illustrations are spot on making it a delight for the younger kids to read as well. The pictures of the âmagnificent thingâ they are making and its different version was a fun clue to figure out. We played the game together to try to find the exact thing they were making.The Most Magnificent Thing has excellent narration and language and teaches a child and adults about creativity, challenges, and not giving up. Often we are told to âtake a breakâ or âsee things from a different perspective this book shares all this wisdom in a simple and rather cute manner.A fresh, funny book full of wisdom. A perfect pick for an ideal gift book as well.(I requested this book from KidsCanPress via NetGalley review is my own.)
Reviewer: ClubFisher
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Expand story as child gets older
Review: I bought this for a 5-year-old who actually reads quite a bit on her own already. The reality is the complexity of the story is a little long in some parts and what I've done is I summarize when I read it to her... In time I know every word will be read to her but for now a shortened version helps keep attention.The illustrations are fun and they certainly give a lot to talk about and ask questions about as you pause along the story.It's quite enjoyable.
Reviewer: Gizem Aktan
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: The path to magnificence
Review: "The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires is a literary treasure that unfolds into a journey of creativity, perseverance, and self-discovery. ðâ¨As a parent, I appreciate how the book encourages a growth mindset, teaching kids that setbacks are stepping stones to success. It beautifully conveys the message that the path to creating something extraordinary is often filled with twists and turns.ðð
Reviewer: Ugh
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I love a book that makes a kid wonder
Review: This was such a cute book! It kept my daughter intrigued and asking questions even though sheâs not one to want to sit and read a lot. She got into the book and started to read herself and discuss what was going on & analyze things within the picture. It was a great read!
Reviewer: LS
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Best book for growth mindset
Review: As a therapist, I use this book VERY OFTEN to teach growth mindset, coping skills, and address perfectionistic tendencies. It's cute, funny and so helpful.
Reviewer: DIY Mom
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Don't miss the meat of the book
Review: it's not just a book about inventing or persistence. The Magnificent Thing did a decent job showing how not to give up but it went beyond and showed how someone could manage frustrating moments and failure. The girl hits a wall in her effort, but she isn't defeated. The fresh look she gives her work is grounded in reality, walking away for a while often is exactly what is needed. I just wanted better articulation at the end of the story, or during the steps of her journey like a fable...many kids and parents need a blunt, direct point summary to get the point -the meat of the book is easily overlooked as an inventor book, but it's more. the heroine isn't just successful because she is smart or persistent, but because she skillfully manages her own expectations and emotions, gives the whole process another go, forgives her own mistakes, changes her approach, pursues her goals through the range of feelings she encounters, etc... This is the story of true success, not just another corny triumph. This simple book offers a subplot of personal character development which fuels success through persistent effort. It's fairly deep.A lot of kids will miss the point sadly without pointing out the girl's true abilities. It's not a story about inventing things, or realising a dream to scoot a dog around town, it's about problem solving and managing oneself properly, conditioning for success and character development. It's a great book, Just make sure you teach why it's great.It's about character and personal growth, not perfection or 'l did it, I'm smart'....
Reviewer: vet on the move
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: love this book
Review: This is a perfect gift for younger grade school kids. It features a young female engineer with a vision. You get to follow her on her journey to build what she envisions will be a perfect creation. As one can predict, it isn't easy and doesn't go according to plan. She gets mad and goes for a walk, which helps her feel better and gradually appreciate the progress she made with each iteration. Her final product isn't perfect, but it is functional and allows her to play the way she had wanted to. A great story arc about making steady progress with patience, taking a break when it gets to be too much, and trying again!
Reviewer: slo007
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Amazing book
Review: One of my kids favorite books! Unforunately, one took a few pages out... but the story is great and highly recommend it for toddlers.
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Fabulous story that talks about feelings during the creative process.
Reviewer: beatrice lorenzoni
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Lettura in inglese L2 quinta elementare
Reviewer: debasmita
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: This a great book for toddlers
Reviewer: Beatriz
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: tal cual aparece en el anuncio, el cuento en muy buenas condiciones y con ilustraciones muy bonitas. Llegó a tiempo genial!!
Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: From my daughter "I love how she finally makes her thing. I like the creative things she made. "I think the pictures are cute."
Customers say
Customers find the story great, inspiring, and fun. They say the book encourages a growth mindset and inspires creativity. Readers also appreciate the adorable illustrations and message. They describe the writing quality as well-written, concise, and enjoyable.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews