The Most Beautiful Thing, Kao Kalia Yang
The Most Beautiful Thing, Kao Kalia Yang
List: $6.99 | Sale: $4.90
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The Most Beautiful Thing

Author: Kao Kalia Yang

Narrator: Kao Kalia Yang

Unabridged: 7 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Lerner

Published: 08/01/2021


Synopsis

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

About Kao Kalia Yang

Kao Kalia Yang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and came to America at the age of six. She is the author of The Latehomecomer, The Song Poet, Yang Warriors, and most recently, Where Rivers Part. She also coedited What God Is Honored Here? and is the author of a collective memoir about refugee lives called Somewhere in the Unknown World. Find out more at KaoKaliaYang.com.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Heidi on January 23, 2024

Lovely story of a young girl and her elderly grandmother. While the story was sweet, it was a bit choppy. Even for a children’s book. The highlight is most definitely the gorgeous, brightly colored illustrations. Some pages leap out at you while others quietly charm. Really compliments the story. (Rev......more

Goodreads review by Darla on May 24, 2022

Our storyteller is a Hmong refugee in the US and her grandmother lives with them. Helping to care for her grandmother helps our storyteller to learn about true beauty, sacrifice, and freedom. Both author and illustrator are from Laos and Vietnam giving us a lovely #ownvoices book to remind us that l......more

Goodreads review by Reading_ on January 20, 2021

I really, really, really love the cover and the amazing illustrations inside! The story is authentic. It's nostalgic for me in so many ways. The love of a family is well defined definitely! I love books which talk about grandparents. And this one did it well I say. Life lessons even for the adult me. If......more

Goodreads review by Phu on March 30, 2023

Câu chuyện về một cô gái nhận ra vẻ đẹp ở nơi bản thân chưa bao giờ nghĩ đến. Nội dung của cuốn artbook kể về câu chuyện của chính gia đình tác giả - gia đình người Hmong tị nạn, nơi họ có tình yêu thương dù cuộc sống vẫn thiếu thốn. Đó là câu chuyện giữa Kalia và bà cô ấy. Câu chuyện của quyển ar......more

Goodreads review by Abigail on February 28, 2021

Hmong-American author and memoirist Kao Kalia Yang turns to her own childhood and to her relationship with her grandmother in this poignant autobiographical picture-book. Helping to care for this beloved elder, listening to her stories about her childhood in Laos, and receiving some important wisdom......more