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Something Beautiful
A trio of animal pals discover the beauty in making new friends in this tender and adorable picture book from Lita Judge, the beloved author-illustrator of Red Sled and Flight School.Mouse, Elephant, and Giraffe have so much in common. They like the same games. They eat the same snacks. They don’t need anyone else! Or do they? When the group takes a chance on opening up, they discover that meeting someone new and seeing things from a new perspective can be truly wonderful.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2022
1 person is currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 3, 2024
This author has lots of non-fiction books full of fascinating information about animals and plants - but this one is different. The pictures are super cute and playful.
August 18, 2022
This picture book incorporates so much goodness as it calms the heart, embraces the uniqueness every person has to offer, and leaves the reader with a lasting smile.
Mouse loves to play with a ball until he meets Elephant. Then, the two play together until they meet Giraffe. The three friends get along very well, since they have so much in common, but then, Porcupine drops in, and he's so not like them. As he accidentally ruins their ball and does odd things, they find themselves more than a little hesitant to accept him into their group. But when they do, it's only the beginning of an amazing experience.
I am now a Lita Judge fan. Firstly, this book is so uplifting, and that with just the right amount of humor sprinkled around an important lesson. It doesn't feel like a lesson, though, since the tale is simply so wonderful. This one is all about friendship and the magic it brings. It's about playing together, something young readers/listeners can identify with no matter who they are or where they are. And it's about expanding horizons and opening up to new ways at looking at others and the world.
Secondly, and this is what sends this read soaring, the illustrations are so well done. The aquarelle gives a gentle atmosphere to invite the reader/listener in, and that while holding all the needed details to make each scene and character sit. These characters pack personality. Their emotions and antics grab on every page. I was amazed at the lovely little details, such as the leaves sticking to the porcupine. They add depth to the humor in all the right ways. There are some priceless moments in these scenes, which will have young listeners/readers coming back again and again just to relive them.
I do recommend this read and see it as becoming a favorite. Listeners/readers will wish they could play right along with the animals because being their friend is definitely something special. I received a complimentary copy through the publisher and found these animals to be an amazing bunch.
Mouse loves to play with a ball until he meets Elephant. Then, the two play together until they meet Giraffe. The three friends get along very well, since they have so much in common, but then, Porcupine drops in, and he's so not like them. As he accidentally ruins their ball and does odd things, they find themselves more than a little hesitant to accept him into their group. But when they do, it's only the beginning of an amazing experience.
I am now a Lita Judge fan. Firstly, this book is so uplifting, and that with just the right amount of humor sprinkled around an important lesson. It doesn't feel like a lesson, though, since the tale is simply so wonderful. This one is all about friendship and the magic it brings. It's about playing together, something young readers/listeners can identify with no matter who they are or where they are. And it's about expanding horizons and opening up to new ways at looking at others and the world.
Secondly, and this is what sends this read soaring, the illustrations are so well done. The aquarelle gives a gentle atmosphere to invite the reader/listener in, and that while holding all the needed details to make each scene and character sit. These characters pack personality. Their emotions and antics grab on every page. I was amazed at the lovely little details, such as the leaves sticking to the porcupine. They add depth to the humor in all the right ways. There are some priceless moments in these scenes, which will have young listeners/readers coming back again and again just to relive them.
I do recommend this read and see it as becoming a favorite. Listeners/readers will wish they could play right along with the animals because being their friend is definitely something special. I received a complimentary copy through the publisher and found these animals to be an amazing bunch.
June 3, 2022
Richie’s Picks: SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL by Lita Judge, Simon and Schuster/Atheneum, June 2022, 40p., ISBN: 978-1-5344-8513-6
“Everything is beautiful in its own way”
– Ray Stevens (1970)
“ ‘Cause your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends
The more we get together the happier we’ll be”
– Raffi (1976)
Ever since the publication of RED SLED, more than a decade ago, I’ve been in love with Lita Judge’s comically expressive animal characters. SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, Ms. Judge’s upcoming picture book guide to making new friends, is her best work yet.
“Mouse, Elephant, and Giraffe had so much in common. They liked the same games.
‘Eight, nine, ten – ready or not, here I come’
They ate the same snacks. They needed no one else.
But then Porcupine said, ‘Hi!’
At first, Mouse, Elephant, and Giraffe weren’t sure about someone new.
After all, he wasn’t good at their games, and he ate strange snacks. But they never knew that they loved to climb trees until Porcupine taught them how.”
It’s worth reading SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL just to see the expressions on the birds who discover Mouse, Elephant, Giraffe, and Porcupine perched up in their treetop.
After meeting up with Porcupine, the growing crew of friends crosses paths with Warthog and then Lion. As with Porcupine, incorporating more new friends–no matter how different they look and act–results in new perspectives, new ideas, new fun, and new magic.
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL will be a popular circle time read that begs to be reread. It promotes inclusivity rather than exclusivity, and encourages making friends with the new kid. These are simple schoolyard lessons that can directly lead to broadening perspectives and more tolerance and peace in the world. That’s why I am so appreciative of this hoot of a tale.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Everything is beautiful in its own way”
– Ray Stevens (1970)
“ ‘Cause your friends are my friends and my friends are your friends
The more we get together the happier we’ll be”
– Raffi (1976)
Ever since the publication of RED SLED, more than a decade ago, I’ve been in love with Lita Judge’s comically expressive animal characters. SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, Ms. Judge’s upcoming picture book guide to making new friends, is her best work yet.
“Mouse, Elephant, and Giraffe had so much in common. They liked the same games.
‘Eight, nine, ten – ready or not, here I come’
They ate the same snacks. They needed no one else.
But then Porcupine said, ‘Hi!’
At first, Mouse, Elephant, and Giraffe weren’t sure about someone new.
After all, he wasn’t good at their games, and he ate strange snacks. But they never knew that they loved to climb trees until Porcupine taught them how.”
It’s worth reading SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL just to see the expressions on the birds who discover Mouse, Elephant, Giraffe, and Porcupine perched up in their treetop.
After meeting up with Porcupine, the growing crew of friends crosses paths with Warthog and then Lion. As with Porcupine, incorporating more new friends–no matter how different they look and act–results in new perspectives, new ideas, new fun, and new magic.
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL will be a popular circle time read that begs to be reread. It promotes inclusivity rather than exclusivity, and encourages making friends with the new kid. These are simple schoolyard lessons that can directly lead to broadening perspectives and more tolerance and peace in the world. That’s why I am so appreciative of this hoot of a tale.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
August 6, 2022
Mouse, Elephant, and Giraffe love to play together and their mutual interests make them great friends. They always have so much fun and like the way things are. But when they meet Lion, they think he's sad because he's alone. Feeling sorry for him, the three friends ask him to join them. However, the truth is he isn't bored at all. Just taking in his surroundings. He opens their eyes to the beauty around them. If you'll just take the time to look for it.
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL is a cute story that teaches children to stop being so go, go, go and pause to look at the beauty around us. Sometimes, it's easy to get busy and forget the small things, so this is a great story to encourage children to expand their mindset. The illustrations are soft and adorable, and animals as the main characters make it more appealing to children. I love the beauty they find in the butterflies with their magnificent blue. It made my daughter what to go outside and see what nature has to offer, which is a win to me as a parent.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of animals and nature. It's a great story to encourage the outdoors and I love the friendship in this story. How the animals don't want to leave anyone out, even though the idea of playing with a lion can be intimidating. For those parents who want to encourage thinking out of the box, this is the book for you and your child.
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL is a cute story that teaches children to stop being so go, go, go and pause to look at the beauty around us. Sometimes, it's easy to get busy and forget the small things, so this is a great story to encourage children to expand their mindset. The illustrations are soft and adorable, and animals as the main characters make it more appealing to children. I love the beauty they find in the butterflies with their magnificent blue. It made my daughter what to go outside and see what nature has to offer, which is a win to me as a parent.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of animals and nature. It's a great story to encourage the outdoors and I love the friendship in this story. How the animals don't want to leave anyone out, even though the idea of playing with a lion can be intimidating. For those parents who want to encourage thinking out of the box, this is the book for you and your child.
February 20, 2025
It's Black History Month and I borrowed 6 children's books from my library. Apparently there are two children's books titled, Something Beautiful, because this one wasn't the one I thought I was ordering (online through their website) so I found out upon reading it. But what a delight I got this Something Beautiful book! The story's message is absolutely beautiful and would especially be great for a classroom's first day story book.
Mouse was very content playing alone with his favourite red ball that is until Elephant asked if he could play with him? Then they met Giraffe and it was just the 3 of them, that is until Porcupine showed up and asked if he play with them? It goes on and on until there's a whole gang of different animals, and even though everyone is different looking and act differently, they all get along and have fun. Hey, a lot of adults can learn a thing or two from this story! One day Lion shows up, and they don't understand him, until they try his way and they learn that it's okay to also chill because "something beautiful may unfold".
I work with 2-1/2 year olds. I will be bringing this book with me to read to them.
Mouse was very content playing alone with his favourite red ball that is until Elephant asked if he could play with him? Then they met Giraffe and it was just the 3 of them, that is until Porcupine showed up and asked if he play with them? It goes on and on until there's a whole gang of different animals, and even though everyone is different looking and act differently, they all get along and have fun. Hey, a lot of adults can learn a thing or two from this story! One day Lion shows up, and they don't understand him, until they try his way and they learn that it's okay to also chill because "something beautiful may unfold".
I work with 2-1/2 year olds. I will be bringing this book with me to read to them.
July 30, 2022
What a lovely book! Mouse plays happily with Ball. But then he meets Elephant and they become great friends. They are happy with two but then - they meet Giraffe. And slowly the friendship circle expands. Everyone has something exceptional to bring to the group. A true celebration of friendship and acceptance. Plus the illustrations are gorgeous. What a fun book to read for a first day of school as new friendships are being formed!
September 15, 2022
Thanks to Simon & Schuster for sending me this free book. It is a precious story of individual animals who meet each other, learn to play together, open up to new friends, and find "something beautiful" in each one of them. The storyline is simple, the words easy for those beginning readers, and the illustrations are wonderful. The animals are depicted with such sweet expressions that your youngest could almost tell the story without words. A must have for the littles.
January 11, 2024
Mouse, Elephant, and Giraffe are such close friends, you'd almost think they were interchangeable.
But then they had chances to make some new friends. What then?
This is a wonderful story about learning to tolerate strangers, and their strangeness. To tolerate that, or simply be curious for a while, until you can discover whether or not they would make good friends.
Important secret of life is here. Beautifully illustrated, too.
But then they had chances to make some new friends. What then?
This is a wonderful story about learning to tolerate strangers, and their strangeness. To tolerate that, or simply be curious for a while, until you can discover whether or not they would make good friends.
Important secret of life is here. Beautifully illustrated, too.
May 9, 2022
Friendships grow and extend in Lita Judge's latest picture book, an adorably sweet story that shows how new friends and perspectives can change how you observe the world in all sorts of new and different ways. Kind, gentle, precious.
August 20, 2022
Beautiful illustrations of animals making friends and finding ways to play in different ways with new animals they meet. Each new animal shows the others new or different things they find and play. Not one ecosystem or group of animals usually found together.
February 21, 2023
Does its job -- we can learn a lot with diverse friendships -- but waaaay too cute for me. Enormous eyes. Little sprixggies of flowers. (Did my spell check just correct "spriggies" into sprixggies? Yes, it did. Three times!)
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October 2, 2024As you read Something Beautiful watch as the most unusual friends have a fun filled day as they learn how even though they are all different, they have some fun things in common. Read on as the animals watch butterflies fly away.
June 21, 2022
A must have for every shelf!
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June 25, 2022Sweet story.
June 28, 2022
I love the facial expressions on the animals’ faces. Delightful.
July 10, 2022
Beautiful illustrations and a very sweet story.
July 23, 2022
A fast-paced, rollicking story about an unlikely group of animals finding fun with new friends.
August 17, 2022
Gorgeous illustrations in a story about friendship.
Simon Kids Read Aloud by the author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HrXD...
Simon Kids Read Aloud by the author: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HrXD...
August 21, 2022
A very sweet book about friendship and learning to see the something beautiful inside of everyone. What you find may surprise you!
September 9, 2022
Aptly titled, this book is indeed, something beautiful
September 14, 2022
This book was something beautiful. I want to read it to children and grownups alike. The world can be a better place when you let people in and open yourself up to possibilities.
October 13, 2022
Sweet book about making and adding friends. Beautiful illustrations!
October 20, 2022
Delightful!
December 16, 2022
I love this beautifully illustrated and lovely examination of friendship.
September 6, 2023
Adorable illustrations with a great storyline. Enjoyable read!
May 23, 2025
Sweet, cute.
August 16, 2025
The book starts with two friends and keeps adding new characters, each with a different trait. This book was okay. It didn't really tell a story or have a big plot, though.
July 1, 2022
Each being shares traits with other beings. Some of those characteristics are broad, others are more particular. No matter your age, you know this to be true. We, too, are drawn to those who share common interests. This is how connections, bonds, and friendships are formed.
It is only as those connections, bonds, and friendships grow that acknowledgements and adjustments are made. Something Beautiful (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, June 7, 2022) written and illustrated by Lita Judge explores how individuals embrace each other initially because of shared pursuits. As their circle of friends expands, something wondrous happens.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
It is only as those connections, bonds, and friendships grow that acknowledgements and adjustments are made. Something Beautiful (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, June 7, 2022) written and illustrated by Lita Judge explores how individuals embrace each other initially because of shared pursuits. As their circle of friends expands, something wondrous happens.
My full recommendation: https://librariansquest.blogspot.com/...
December 13, 2022
This is a very subtle message book unlike many being published today that hits one over the head. Here we see several very different animals from large to small from more rambunctious to quiet coming together to romp, play and be together. The illustrations are wonderful and Lita Judge is a great illustrator of animals. Love th expressions of the animals in this title. I leave it up to the reader to “see” and understand the very understated message found in this title.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews