Title: The Most Magnificent Thing
Author/Illustrator: Ashley Spires
Age Group: 2-6
Synopsis: A young girl has a brilliant idea for an invention but will need to persevere through frustration and difficulties to make it a reality.
The Lowdown:
I am a huge proponent of growth mentality. I’d seen and read posts about this idea and discussed it with my husband for awhile. And so when Bug was born, we both knew how we wanted to raise him. As easy as it was to say “Oh you’re so smart!” or “Wow, you’re so good at that!” we both began early praising his efforts over the results. It was not easy. Our society is very quick to point out talents and praise the ease with which someone does something; where as we wanted to praise the challenge and journey it took him to get there. I still slip up, even after years of practicing. It’s just so easy to compliment his achievement. But by praising the process, I know that I’m encouraging him to keep trying AND letting him know that I’ve noticed the hard work he’s put into achieving his goal. The Most Magnificent Thing is a fabulous example of growth mindset as the main character exemplifies it throughout the plot. The addition of amusing illustrations helps keep the book light and rockets it to new heights. 
The story opens with a little girl and her dog playing. The girl then has a brilliant idea for a new invention. It’s going to be amazing, she just knows it. But after tinkering for a little bit she realizes that the item she created doesn’t fit her vision at all. So, she tries again. And again. And again. Each time getting more frustrated, until she is smashing and pushing pieces together and eventually injures herself. She dejectedly quits and her dog suggests a walk. Even though she doesn’t feel like it will help, she lets the anger go as she walks and feels her positive spirit returning. Until she comes back to the first item she made. She’s about to get mad again until she notices one piece of it that works. It encourages her to examine her other efforts and then in a calm and collected manner she tries again. This time her invention is just what she wants, not perfect but acceptable. And because she succeeded, it is the most magnificent thing ever.
The emotions displayed throughout the story are spot on and easy enough for little ones to identify. Even if your small readers are flummoxed by the page it’s a great opportunity to point out emotional cues. Spires does a great job of keeping the girl and her object as the focal point of the pictures which allow children to feel more connected to the plot and the emotional upheavals that take place. The illustrations also provide a bit of humor throughout this book which can take the pressure off the heavy emotions. The pictures seem to play with the words and provide little jokes that encourage smiles, even when the protagonist is visibly upset. Most of this relies heavily on the dog who engages in typical dog behavior (peeing on random objects and spontaneously chasing squirrels) that is innocently encouragingly.
By the end of the story Bug is always empathizing with the girl. “It’s ok,” he tells her. “Sometimes I get frustrated too!” Giving him the vocabulary to name and describe his feelings has definitely been helpful. And he’s doing an amazing job with growth mindset. Our most recent example has been with his bike, which he now rides completely on his own with me waddling behind. He was doing a great job for months of balancing while riding, stopping on his own, and conquering the three hills we have to go over in order to get to his school. It was starting on his own that was causing problems. But after lots of practice he finally got the hang of it about two weeks ago. And then last week, just as he started on his own he said over his shoulder: “Did you see that one, Mommy? I kept practicing and trying hard and now I can do it!” YES!!!
Story Tips:
- For more about growth mindset check out some article and book suggestions under I Need More!
- Allow your little one to describe how the girl is feeling as the story progresses. Use your own examples of what you do when you feel upset or angry. If it’s something your still working on (like me!) that’s ok. It’s good for kids to see that their parents aren’t prefect and need to work on their own growth in order to improve their emotional responses.
I need more!
Ashley Spires is also the author of Small Saul and The Thing Lou Couldn’t Do both books the encourage trying and persevering at something that you’re not initially great at. She had a number of other books we haven’t read including an early reader series about a cat named Binky. Check out more about her and her amazing array of literary works here: https://www.ashleyspires.com/books.html
Carol Dweck, a professor at Stanford University and author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success
