The Most Beautiful Thing

Written by Kao Kalia Yang · Illustrated by Khoa Le

A young girl discovers true beauty through her grandmother's wisdom.

4.3 Goodreads · 1,468 ratings

32 pages· 1,255 words· Est. 10 min read-aloud· 850L

$17.99Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Kalia, a young Hmong refugee, struggles with wanting more in her new life in the U.S. She dreams of braces to perfect her smile, but her grandmother, with just one tooth, teaches her that beauty lies in love and family. Journeying from Laos to America, this heartfelt tale reveals the power of generational love and finding beauty in unexpected places. Will Kalia embrace her grandmother's wisdom and see beyond appearances?

From the publisher

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.

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