The most beautiful thing by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Khoa Le

 There are significant Hmong populations in the midwest, especially Minnesota and Wisconsin, and it's wonderful to see them beginning to be represented in children's literature. Kao Kalia Yang has written several books for children that feature her heritage and this latest title is a lovely story of familial love, respect for your elders, and the importance of family.

Included in the publishing information at the beginning of the book is a brief pronunciation guide and glossary to the Hmong terms used in the story. Richly illustrated with repeated motifs, on the end papers, the rug in the bare house, and in the stories their grandmother tells, this story will hold readers and listeners spellbound.

Kalia tells a story from her childhood with the central figure of her elderly grandmother. As the grandchildren care for her, bathing her, cutting her nails, and helping her eat, she tells them fantastical stories of her life in a far away place and a long ago time. When Kalia is frustrated and saddened by their poverty, her grandmother's quiet acceptance and love helps her be patient. When Kalia wants braces, her grandmother asks her gently, "Is my smile not beautiful?" and Kalia imagines all the smiles her grandmother has given her as she shared their small joys.

Although the family's poverty is evident in every aspect of the story, especially in their meager meals, and their grandmother speaks honestly about the hardships she faced in her youth, the emphasis in this story is always on what they do have, the strength of their family as they work together, and the love for their elderly grandmother who is honored by all the children. It's a beautiful story, in language, art, and message.

Verdict: I work with several teachers who introduce their students to topics through picture books; immigration, social issues, and narrative skills among other topics. I'm thrilled to be able to include this gorgeous book in those recommendations and it's a wonderful book to read aloud to a classroom, to think about the different experiences that have brought us all to the places we are now, and to what we value most in our families and cultures.

ISBN: 9781541561915; Published October 2020 by Carolrhoda/Lerner; Purchased for the library