l to r: Nadia Devi Umadat and Christine Wei

A little girl moves from her war-torn home country, location unnamed, to live in a place she’s never been before. After arriving, the girl, her mother, and her sister all adjust to life in a small, one-bedroom apartment that was procured for them by their aunty. While the family is relieved to be safe, the text makes it clear that they still struggle to adapt – the apartment has only two beds for the three of them, and school is taught in a language the two girls don’t speak or understand. When the recess bell goes off midday, our little protagonist starts to cry. Her teacher shows her how to take deep, mindful breaths. Meanwhile, the girl and her “bossy” sister bicker – a dynamic used to frame how the girls’ relationship evolves.

As the days pass, the girl realizes there are many other newcomers in her class and that she isn’t alone. She begins to feel safer and more secure. She learns about the country’s different seasons and comes to love the snow even though she feels weighed down in her big, puffy coat. At the book’s end, the girl and her family become citizens and now feel welcome and comfortable in their adopted home – they have friends and have settled in to all the changes.

The Most Beautiful Thing I Have Ever Seen tells a story that is relevant and impactful. Character and country names are avoided, likely in an effort to make the story feel universal. The text is emotive enough for kids to make sense of a nuanced topic, showing the joys and complexities of being a newcomer. Umadat’s longer and more detailed text is clearly aimed at the older range of picture book readers. The illustrations by Christine Wei are vibrant, joyfully emotive, and culturally inclusive.

The book is an easily digestible introduction to topics such as immigration, war, and trauma, and it presents these topics through a heartwarming tale of a family coming together.