A great book about friendship and trying until you succeed. Teaches children that it's ok to be angry as long as you can calm down soon afterwards, which the book also gives students a way to calm their anger (going on a walk). ( )

I've been wanting to read The Most Magnificent Thing since I spotted it in a Goodreads giveaway. Luckily, it didn't disappoint.

Like the main character, I too am a bit of a perfectionist with a canine assistant, so I understood her frustrations as each item she made wasn't quite what she wanted. I think many kids will understand those sentiments, too, especially the getting-so-mad-you-jam-your-finger part.

The illustrations were perfect for the story -- not to messy, not too precious, but just right and utterly adorable. I appreciate that the little girl is feminine (dress and pigtails) without being overly girly and that she's mechanically minded.

I really have no complaints about The Most Magnificent Thing. (And I think my canine assistant would also enjoy the final "magnificent thing.")

Note: I received a digital galley of this book through NetGalley. ( )

I love this story! The characters are unique and full of personality and the illustrations are very well done. The expressions on the face of the little girl, her dog, and community of onlookers is a story in itself. Spires tells an engaging story about the creative process and the road bumps along the way. ( )

*I received an ecopy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review*

I love the message, and this story tells it in a fun way. While this can be seen as empowering for girls especially, I think this is a great message for all children. The little girl in this book can be viewed as both an engineer, and an artist, and uses her creativity to make something useful. She tries one way, and then another, but it doesn't seem quite right. The beauty of this book, it just when the character wants to give up, she is encouraged to look again. I also enjoyed that her assistant was her dog, as many children are close to their pets, and can easily relate. Something all schools should have, this is a fun story with a great message for people of all ages! ( )

Good story telling about imagination, and building, and not giving up. ( )