Ten Beautiful Things by Maribel Lechuga, Molly Beth Griffin
ISBN: 1580899366
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Lily is moving across Iowa to live with her grandmother, leaving everything she has ever known. As they begin their journey, Gram suggests they look for ten beautiful things. To Lily, there is nothing beautiful in big, empty Iowa! But as  they travel along, a beautiful sunrise, a wind farm, a red- winged blackbird, a thunderstorm, the list grows. When they arrive at the farm, nine beautiful things have been seen and Gram declares number ten is them, the life they will have and the love between them. Though we don’t know the circumstances of the move, this heartfelt story will resonate with readers dealing with their own journey and how being open to the little things of nature can ease that journey.

The reader can see Lily’s feelings of sadness, defiance and anxiousness through Maribel Lechuga’s illustrations done in Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint with added watercolor textures. The journey begins at night – in the dark- but gives way to the sunrise of the morning and by the time they arrive at the farm, there is a lightness that lets the reader know all will be well.

A selection to be added to books such as In a Jar – Deb Marcero, One Good Thing About America -Ruth Freeman, Florette – Walker, Tiny Perfect Things – MH Clark, My Favorite Memories – Sarihi.

Grades K-3

Submitted by Kathy George, Gray Public Library , Gray Maine