“This is a book that touches on adult themes such as poverty, homelessness and community responsibility with a tender hand and a poet’s voice, by Sharon Dennis Wyeth and illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet. The story stands out as much for its important storyline as it does for its beautiful artistry.”
-EBONY! Magazine
Author: Sharon Dennis Wyeth
Illustrator: Chris K. Soentpiet
Gr K-3/Ages 5+
32 pages/picture book
IBSN# 0-385-32239-9
$16.95 US
$23.95 CAN
IBSN# 0-440-41210-2
paperback by Dragonfly Books
$6.99 US
Doubleday Dell Books imprint of:
Random House
1745 Broadway
New York, NY 10019
(800) 726-0600
www.randomhouse.com
Something Beautiful
Everyday a young girl is disheartened by the things in her neighborhood: the trash on the streets, the graffiti on the walls, and the homeless woman that sleeps in a box. When she learns the word “beautiful” at school, she sets out to find “something beautiful” in her surroundings. In her search, this little girl learns to see beyond the barren ugliness of her environment to find beauty in her friendships, her family, and herself.
MY THOUGHTS ON “SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL”
After the success of AMAZING FACES we collaborated on a sequel. My initial thought was how lucky I am to have the incredible opportunity to work with Lee Bennett Hopkins again. I get to illustrate the poetries of some of my favorite poets in business. During the sketch process I envision all these historical and majestic places I’d like to take my kids and imagine what it would be like to see through their eyes. Truly a blessing that we have programs like the US National Historic Landmark which is designed to recognize and honor our nation’s cultural and historical heritage. -Chris Soentpiet
WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR, SHARON DENNIS WYETH:
“When I was eight years old, I asked my mother, whose name is Evon, for “something beautiful.” She gave me one of her wedding gifts: a small white china pitcher with a golden handle and a golden rose embossed on it. I put the pitcher on my windowsill so I wouldn’t have to look at the alley outside. I called the pitcher my something beautiful. When Mommy gave me the gift, she cautioned me not to forget that I already had something even more beautiful-the something beautiful I had inside. I still have the little pitcher. I keep it next to my bed. It helps keep alive the memory of childhood and my mother’s love.” – Sharon Dennis Wyeth
Book Reviews:
Awards
- Parents Magazine Best Children’s Book of the Year 1998
- National Parenting Publication Award Honor Book, Selectors’ Choice
- NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Book in Field of Social Studies 1998
- IRA Notable Book for a Global Society 1998
