The Most Magnificent Thing: A Story of Creativity, Perseverance, and the Importance of Trying

The Most Magnificent Thing is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Ashley Spires. It was first published in 2014 and has since won numerous awards, including the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for Best Picture Book. The story is about a young girl named Lily who dreams of creating something magnificent. She tries and tries, but nothing she makes is quite right. But Lily doesn't give up. She keeps trying and trying, and in the end, she creates something truly magnificent.

The Story

The story begins with Lily sitting in her room, thinking about what she wants to create. She wants to make something that is "the most magnificent thing in the whole wide world." She starts by gathering supplies, but she soon realizes that she doesn't know what she wants to make. She tries to make a flying machine, but it doesn't work. She tries to make a giant robot, but it's too heavy. She tries to make a rainbow, but it's too bright.

Lily is starting to get discouraged. She feels like she'll never be able to create something truly magnificent. But then, her dog, Sparky, comes into the room. Sparky is a very good listener, and he always makes Lily feel better. He tells her that she doesn't need to make something that's perfect. He just needs to make something that's special.

Lily takes Sparky's advice to heart. She starts over, and this time, she doesn't worry about making something perfect. She just focuses on making something that's special. She uses all of the supplies she's gathered, and she adds a little bit of her own imagination.

In the end, Lily creates something truly magnificent. It's a machine that can fly, it's a robot that can walk, and it's a rainbow that's not too bright. It's a machine that can do anything, and it's a robot that's a friend. It's a rainbow that's a symbol of hope.

Themes

The Most Magnificent Thing explores several important themes, including creativity, perseverance, and the importance of trying. The story shows that creativity is important, but it's also important to be willing to fail. Lily fails many times before she succeeds, but she doesn't give up. She keeps trying, and in the end, she creates something truly magnificent.

The story also teaches the importance of perseverance. Lily doesn't give up on her dream, even when things are tough. She keeps trying, and in the end, she achieves her goal. The story shows that anything is possible if you're willing to work hard and never give up.

Finally, the story teaches the importance of trying. Lily doesn't know what she wants to create when she starts, but she doesn't let that stop her. She just starts trying, and in the end, she creates something truly special. The story shows that anything is possible if you just start trying.

Critical Reception

The Most Magnificent Thing has been praised by critics for its positive message and its beautiful illustrations. The New York Times called it "a joyful and inspiring story about the power of creativity." The Wall Street Journal called it "a must-have for any child who loves to dream big."

The book has also been a commercial success. It has sold over 1 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 20 languages.

Conclusion

The Most Magnificent Thing is a heartwarming story that will inspire children of all ages. It's a story about the importance of creativity, perseverance, and the importance of trying.