After reading a review of THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING by Kao Kalia Yang, I wanted to buy the book for my grandchildren. That was perhaps two years ago. I went to my GOODREADS list searching for a book to give my five year old granddaughter for her birthday and was reminded again of this book. I bought it simply based on the reviews and upon receiving it, I am not disappointed.
The story is based upon the life of the author, Kalia, and how her grandmother's life influenced her own. Kalia and her family, Hmong refugees, do not have much in the way of material possessions and while the family is ever increasing with new brothers and sisters, they are also caring for their Grandmother. With a deep sense of respect, the children listen to the stories their wise grandmother shares and they learn how hard life was for her growing up in the jungles of Laos. Kalia sometimes feels left out and different from other children because of the family's lack of finances. She one day asks her parents for braces to straighten her crooked teeth. This is when she learns a valuable lesson about inner beauty from Grandmother.
My favorite sentence in the book is as follows:
"The luckiest of the grandchildren got to take care of Grandma."
The book uses a few Hmong words in the story but those words are described and pronunciation is provided at the front of the book.
I intentionally seek out books for my grandchildren to teach them about diverse cultures and this book is just perfect. The illustrations are beautiful as well.
I also bought my granddaughter who is receiving this book for a birthday, a box of Asian inspired dolls representing a family including a grandmother and grandfather so that she can use her imagination to play after reading the book
I gave this book a five star review on Goodreads.