I really enjoyed The Most Magnificent Thing and so did my daughter! I love books that inspire creativity in children, especially females as it seems books and toys of the that nature are a bit lacking, but thankfully on the rise! This is definitely a book that I would add to my collection of children's books for my two little girls and I think it's another step in the right direction of teaching girls that they too can be creative and inventive. I also really enjoyed the fact that when she became upset, as kids are often known to do, the solution in the book was for her to walk it off. I love when children are taught, through literature and entertainment, different ways to cool themselves down and handle tough situations.

First of all, I want to thank the publisher for granting wish to access this book via Netgalley.

I love the stories and also the illustrations, but the font is bothered me, especially since I read the digital edition.

Overall, it is enjoyable and a good book to read to your kids. They may learn that they can be wrong, they can be mad, but they should never give up.

This is one of the most adorable children's books I've seen in a while. I honestly read it a few times looking for flaws to find some sort of constrictive criticism but I just adored it too much to want any of it to change. Probably my favorite part was the fact that it's teaching kids to be creative and to not give up when you don't get it right the first, second, or even the tenth time. You learn a bit each time, just as the protagonist does in this adorable story. I would highly recommend it to any child or child-at-heart if only to enjoy the ridiculously cute artwork and story.

The Most Magnificent Thing written and illustrated by Ashley Spires. Edited by Yasemin Ucar. Kids Can Press. Children's Fiction. ©2014. 5 Stars. An early grade picture book about a girl’s struggles to make something magnificent, and her many attempts and frustrations along the way until she achieves success. Illustrations are wonderful and the message is great. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can press for providing this ebook for review.

*thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press Publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

5 stars.
Wow...this book is 'The Most Magnificent Thing' because its written for kids to understand! This I believe is an important book because it shows kids how fustration can happen and then turn into pure anger. But it then goes to explain now to get through that. Like the little girl in the story, she took a walk with her dog. At first she was mad, but after some time just walking with her dog, she stared to feel better until all the mad feelings were gone. But then she hits a bump in the road when she comes across what made her so mad in the first place. She starts to feel her anger rising, and again we are shown how taking a bit of time out can make us able to deal with the situation when it rises up again. And it turns out, she was able to solve her problem in the end. Now all this is written for kids. Any book that is written to help a child, even just one, then that book is a success in my eyes. And I believe this book can do just that so that is why I definitely recommend reading this. Expecually for kids who find they lose there temper easily or/and often. It may help them see there is a way to deal with it better, and that others feel anger/mad at times too.

This is one of the best illustrated books I've read in a while for preschool and elementary children. The book is about a "regular girl" and her canine companion and best friend. They have many adventures together so it's only natural that she appoints the pup her assistant when she sets out to make the magnificent thing. But something goes wrong... No matter what she creates, it's just not good. Her inventions aren't "magnificent" and don't match the idea in her head. Frustrated beyond the ability to continue, she goes from creating to quitting. Dog convinces her that a walk is needed. While it doesn't help at first, she is able to take a step back and see the positive parts of her flawed designs. Her most magnificent design is born out of combining the best parts of these failures. I highly recommend this for children. It may be especially helpful when persistence dwindles as immediate satisfaction remains out of reach.

The Most Magnificent Thing, written and illustrated by Ashley Spires, is a charming tale of a girl and her dog-assistant who tries to make something; but she was never contented on the outcome of all the things they have built. Afterward, she became frustrated and was enraged. This story shows that kids nowadays are prone to be more serious, goal-oriented, or competitive; it's not bad but usually they are living in stress.

Because they didn't achieve what they want or the expectations on them were not met, sometimes build- up stress and anxiety leads to other bigger complications, such as health problems like depression. The story teaches several lessons — such as being persevering and forbearing; but must not forget to relax and enjoy once in a while — which a lot of adults also tend to forget every so often.

Furthermore, the adorable artwork, especially of the dog and his/her antics, will distinctly enchant the young readers of this children's book. Lastly, educators and parents must not miss a chance to get a copy of this marvelous children's book.

Premise: A little girl gets a magnificent idea and spends all day tinkering away with her best friend/doggy assistant, trying to create the magnificent thing in her mind. As creation after creation fails, the girl gets frustrated and decides to take a walk with her dog. This gives her some perspective, and she's finally able to focus and make what she needs.

My son and I loved this! The illustrations are cute and fun, and the story itself just kind of helps them along. The girl's creativity and the beautiful friendship between her and her dog are really what shine in this book. I love that there is a girl building things and that she has this beautiful connection to her dog. But more than anything, I love that she gets frustrated and needs to step away from her project for a while. That is such a realistic feeling and response for children who are trying to tackle a difficult process, and I think this book shows a really good approach for those times when we feel upset and just need to walk away for a while.

I loved this book! I love the determination and the team work in this book. The artwork is stunning and the message is beautiful. This is one I will buy for my classroom, my children, and all the other children that I know.

A wonderful, cute story about having an idea and never giving up on yourself. Your ideas may not come to fruition the way that you see the in your head but that never means your idea wasn't a worthy one. I loved this little story about taking your dreams and working toward them all while keeping your goals realistic and yourself humble. This may be a book whose ultimate theme may go over the youngest readers head but it will also hopefully stick with them in the back of their minds and be something they can call on when things just aren't quite going the way they want. I loved the art and that even my 11 year old daughter (an advanced reader) found the book entertaining and one that she and her younger sister want to have on their shelves. A great book to have in a classroom, particularly the pre-k to 2nd grade ages and in an elementary library. I could see this as being a book I would pull out if my class had been having a difficult day and maybe we needed a break and a little perspective.

Clever, thoughtful book. I loved the visuals - the beautiful colored pictures with the black and white city background, the spare drawings, That Dog!! (really loved the dog) I appreciate the message of the importance of process and progress, and thought the ultimate invention was clever. I think kids will enjoy all the action verbs. An excellent book that I'll enjoy reading with my kids.

A cute little story, easy to read and little ones will enjoy it. However, not one to stand out amongst all the other cutesy books.

This is a beautiful illustrated kids book. I loved it, but the my daughter was not to fond of it.

This is the story of a child who has a great idea--magnificent in fact. However, she struggles to get what is in her mind to work in real life. She finds this frustrating and ends up exploding. Fortunately, her four legged friend takes her for a walk to clear her mind and she begins to see the things she did right. Her confidence grows and she is able to figure out where she went wrong and has success in the end. This is a great book for children who are easily frustrated when they can't do what they have in mind. Growth mindset is the rage right now (rightfully so) and this book is a great talking point for shifting your mindset. As a school counselor, I highly recommend this book.

What a gem of a book. It is definitely going to be the starting point when I introduce Makerspace Centers in the Library this next school year!

A simple story about a little girl who wants to create something magnificient.
While doing so she learns how difficult it is to bring to life what you have on mind, especially when people don't cheer or support you and you do everything by yourself.
Also, one should never give up untill success finds them.
The story also tells that one should have patience and keep trying.
A really good book for kids.

My kids really enjoyed this little book , Cute story and great illustrations ,

It's a great book to teach both in and out of the classroom. Great pictures and story. Would definitely recommend!

The Most Magnificent Thing is picture book worth reading time and again with our children even for us adults when we lose perspective. It sends the perfect message to the reader about not giving up and looking at the problem from a different point of view. Just set back and recharge before tackling a difficult problem that is stuck.

I was pulled into the book with the cover and blurb and immediately requested it. The book is not just a story about making something but learning as well. The girl tries to invent something, tinkering and planning as she goes about her task. Learning and play along with reading make a delightful trio in this book, The Most Magnificent Thing.

It is a simple story that can be a good guiding and motivating book for small children. I sat and read it to my son and we read it twice and talked about the pictures and all the little changes and activities the little girl was doing. Her cute, silly dog made the story funny and endearing. The furry assistant sure made a lot of things easy. Only now, my son is asking for his own assistant so he too can build ‘magnificent things’.

The illustrations are spot on making it a delight for the younger kids to read as well. The pictures of the ‘magnificent thing’ they are making and its different version was a fun clue to figure out. We played the game together to try to find the exact thing they were making.

The Most Magnificent Thing has excellent narration and language and teaches a child and adults about creativity, challenges, and not giving up. Often we are told to ‘take a break’ or ‘see things from a different perspective this book shares all this wisdom in a simple and rather cute manner.

A fresh, funny book full of wisdom. A perfect pick for an ideal gift book as well.


(I requested this book from KidsCanPress via NetGalley review is my own.)