The Most Magnificent Thing

If you’ve read my book, you know that I’m all about characters navigating their emotions. This picture book focuses on something every kid—and adult—can relate to: you have a magnificent idea, but when you try to make it happen, it comes out all wrong. Despite her frustration turning into anger, this regular girl, with the help of her canine assistant, keeps on trying again and again and again to make her magnificent thing. Readers will hold their breath, wondering what comes next after she exclaims, “I QUIT.” 

This book deals with a different kind of obstacle to invention—how it feels when our first (or second, or third) try doesn’t quite match the vision in our head. As a writer, I relate to the “regular girl” in the story who has a wonderful idea that keeps turning out all wrong. This book is a great jumping-off point for discussions of how “wonderful ideas” are just part of a creative process that also involves plenty of false starts, dead ends, lost tempers, and I quit!s on the way to an outcome that is Most Magnificent—or good enough until… show more.

The Most Magnificent Thing captures the process of trying and failing and trying and failing until irritation mounts. The story demonstrates how to manage frustration in order to persist and pursue goals. Every reader will identify with the unnamed main character’s emotional journey. And all will want a sidekick like the main character’s spunky puppy. The illustrations are marvelously compelling. Don’t be surprised if your child charges off to create their own most magnificent thing.