I’m thrilled to share my review of The Most Magnificent Team by Ashley Spires, book four in the delightful series about our favorite young maker and her trusty dog best friend. A big thank you to Kids Can Press, Ashley Spires, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release!

This time, our young maker meets another creator, and they decide to team up on a project. But as they dive in, their different approaches to work spark frustration and trouble. The story beautifully captures their journey of navigating disagreements, learning to communicate, and discovering how much more they can achieve together than apart.

This book is an excellent tool for introducing young readers to the importance of collaboration and the skills needed to work through challenges in a team setting. It’s perfect for classrooms, maker spaces, or any home where creativity and teamwork are celebrated. The illustrations are as charming as ever, and the story delivers an empowering message about problem-solving and friendship.

I can’t wait to add this book to my classroom library! It’s a must-have for fostering creativity and collaboration in young minds. Grab a copy for your space today—you won’t regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I am a huge fan of Ashley Spires, and this picture book does not disappoint. We are back with the girl and her assistant, and this time, they have help. A wonderful story about teamwork and collaboration and how even though all minds might not think alike, everyone has ideas they can bring to the table. A welcome addition to any library.

This is the 4th installment in the “Most Magnificent” series, and having read and reviewed the previous three books, I can confidently say these are some of the best children’s books I’ve ever come across.

All 4 books incorporate STEM elements, which I absolutely love. They encourage children to think, try, learn, and create in imaginative and relatable ways. Themes include learning from failures, brainstorming, vocabulary for makers, and how to work with others (which is the theme of today’s book).

Working with others isn’t always easy, especially when the team can’t agree on how to do things. In this story, the girl has an idea and sets out to build something. She meets a new neighbor, and they decide to work together on the project. But, the girl becomes quite frustrated because her neighbor has many ideas of her own, and the girl believes her design is perfect as is. Tension builds and they ultimately stop working together to do their own thing. Of course, there’s a positive lesson at the end, and the resolution is wonderful and relatable for kids.

Spires’ artwork is some of best I’ve ever seen in a children’s book. The overall vibe is unique and simple, yet spectacularly striking. I particularly love how many backgrounds are in black and white, while the focus of the page (the girl, her dog, her friend, their projects) is in color. Plus, the emotions on the little girl’s face (and her dog’s), particularly when she gets frustrated or angry, are spot on!

This book (and all her books) are must-haves for any classroom and any child! I can’t recommend them highly enough!

Thank you @netgalley and @KidsCanPress for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I will accept no criticism on this series. I absolutely love how Spires is introducing the concept of team work and problem solving into the series. Necessary skills for kids to build from a very young age. Can't wait for publish day!!

This was an adorable picture book centered on invention, cooperation, and working through disagreements to make the best things. The art was adorable, the text was a just right amount for reading aloud and keeping the attention of my 8-year old.

My daughter loves this series! We got the first one- The Most Magnificent Thing when she was a preschooler, and it was helpful for her to see how sometimes things go wrong when we are working on a project, but those problems can lead to something better.

This follow up has a similar message and includes the difficulties and benefits of working as a team. It has vibrant, engaging illustrations, and it’s a fun surprise to see what they end up creating at the end. My daughter isn’t reading many picture books these days, but she enjoyed this one very much!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review!

Beautiful picture book about creativity and working together. Each girl has her own way of seeing things and desire to work together, but both must overcome feelings of frustration that come when things aren't going her own way. Another beautiful story by Ashley Spires with wonderful illustrations. It would be perfect for the home, classroom, and library.

First of all,
I love these books.
I read “The Most Magnificent Thing” to my youngest daughter when she was a toddler years ago. It was one of our favorites.
When I became a teacher and my daughter got older, the book made its way to my classroom bookshelf.
The first time I read it to a class of sixth graders, we had rich discussions about the theme and about not giving up. It was a great book to explain Growth Mindset.
Anyway- now to the Most Magnificent Team.
This book was great. I loved how the two characters had their own “assistants” (adorable pet sidekicks), and they both were apprehensive about wanting to work with a partner.
Who wouldn’t be?
In this world, we are so used to going at it alone. We think our idea is the best. But sometimes, sometimes, we just need to be open to what other ideas there might be. Who knows- maybe together we can make something beautiful.
(I received an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)

I was stoked when I saw there would be another Magnificent book, and I know my students will be as well - and this book did not disappoint! With eye-catching illustrations and covering themes of teamwork, making (and revising and re-making), this will be a great read aloud book for our library and can also tie in with some makerspace activities. Super excited to be able to share this book with my students after it is published - it will be great to read at the beginning of the school year.

Thank you for granting me access to this ARC. From childhood through adulthood, we are always working on teams. The earlier we learn how to be on a team, the better. I enjoyed how the characters on The Most Magnificent Team had disagreements and worked through them. The realistic nature of teamwork throughout this book was excellent. It is very rare to work on a team and have a flawless experience where everyone gets along. This book contains good lessons that kids can take with them when they work on a team.

The illustrations are absolutely stunning, Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!