Customer Reviews

Something Beautiful

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sharon Dennis Wyeth's 1998 book "Something Beautiful" was inspired by her own memories of growing up in a place which was, perhaps, not as beautiful as she would have liked. We follow an unnamed little girl through her neighborhood as she looks for something beautiful as a teacher has instructed her to do. What we see is litter, broken windows, scary graffiti, homeless people, and more. But the little girl manages to find out from everyone she asks what they find beautiful around them. She is variously given the examples of a fish sandwich, a jump rope, some apples at a fruit market, and even a smooth, heavy stone a neighbor carries for good luck. The best and most beautiful example, though, comes from the little girl's mother--and her reply ends the book on a lovely note.

Chris Soentpiet's watercolor illustrations are nothing short of remarkable. They are nearly photographic in their detail and lifelike aspect, and they give a visual rhythm to the text. He is to be commended for his ability to combine both an unflinching look at a downtrodden neighborhood and examples of how we all can find beauty everyday, if we look hard enough.

I think Something Beautiful was excellent because of Chris Soenpiet's illustrations. I think they were wonderful, marvelous, and interesting. My favorite part was when the little girl found out she was something beautiful. I give this book 5 stars because of the way Chris drew the pictures. I recommend this book to kids of all ages. He made me feel like I was right in the little girl's neighborhood.

I love the illustrations in Something Beautiful because it shows how the girl feels. My favorite part is when she goes looking for something beautiful. Then she finds out that she is beautiful. The illustrations are bright and colorful.

This is probably one of my most favorite picture books. I teach 5th grade and read this every year. My kids sit in silence as I read it. It has beautiful pictures, is wonderfully written and has an amazing message... that no matter what you are going through or where you live, there is something beautiful in your life. My students come from poverty and low-income families, and I hope this book helps them see that they are too beautiful. (and I truly think it does!)

I think that Chris Soenpiet's illustrations are definitely awesome. He adds very good details and I like how he paints real things that are in our lifetime. But my favorite story is Something Beautiful. It's about this little girl who is trying to find something that is beautiful in her neighborhood that is covered with graffiti. She finds out that she is the beautiful person and that it doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, but it matters on the inside and that her momma loves her anyway. For all children who think that they aren't beautiful that would love to read this book.

My favorite part in the story was when the girl washed her front door clean because the door was pretty. I love the Illustrations. This is my favorite book in the world. The illustrations brought the story to life. I actually thought I was one of the characters. This book is one of the best books! I give this book five stars!!

I came across this book at a reading exposition in an inner city school. This is the story of a little girl who comes from drab environs. Her neighborhood, her surroundings look very grim to her. But she talks to her teacher, who conveys a powerful lesson, which is that although it may be hidden, there is beauty all around us, even in school classrooms, crowded neighborhoods, and elsewhere.

this story teaches kids that they have the power to create their own beauty and bring it to their lives. the girl in this book walk around her house and sees some not very nice things, including some not so nice graffiti on a door, and the reader gets a sense of her unease. then she goes to school and her teacher teaches the class the word beautiful, which is described as something, when you have it, that makes your heart happy. so she goes around the neighbourhood asking people what is beautiful to them, and various responses are given. finally the little girl goes back to the graffiti and erases it, making a bit of beauty come into her own world. after that it ends on a sweet note with her mother. i think this a good book to read to a child to teach them that they have the power to make a positive change in the world, and that for every cloudy day there is an optimistic sun hiding unseen that is capable of showing itself to those who look for it.

My favorite parts of the story are when she helped clean the court yard, wanted to give the homeless lady a home and put red paint on the door. I give this book 5 stars. The illustrations brought the book to life.

My favorite part of the story is when the girl helped the lady who lived on the sidewalk and when she cleaned up the courtyard. Chris Soentpiet's bright color is so colorful and outstanding. His pictures tell me the story. His pictures are so extraordinary, very incredible pictures. The illustrations are so magnificent. Could Chris Soentpiet illustrate my books? I'm in 3rd grade and I have written 100 books at home and at school. I give this book 5 stars.