Staff Pick
How Beautiful, indeed! I was absolutely stunned by Melissa Castrillón’s illustrations: fascinating to explore, without being too busy. And Antonella Capetti’s text asks all the right questions about what we call “beautiful.” Recommended By Keith M., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
A stunningly illustrated picture book about a curious caterpillar searching for the true meaning of the word “beautiful.” But is there one true meaning—or many?
A caterpillar lives a simple life on his leaf until one day, an UnKnown Thing picks him up and calls him beautiful. A question forms in the caterpillar’s mind: “What is beautiful?”
So begins a quest to discover the true meaning of the word beautiful. Much to the caterpillar’s surprise, each animal in the forest has their own unique definition:
A bear declares that honeycomb is beautiful!
The squirrels say leaves are beautiful!
A mole says his burrow is beautiful!
What’s a caterpillar to do?
How Beautiful offers kids an immersive, memorable experience. Elaborate and vivid illustrations by Melissa Castrillón, author of Yellow Kayak and If I Had a Little Dream, combine with a sweet, central message:
Beauty is as diverse as we are.
“Beautiful” means something different to everyone, and that’s okay!
The beauty of the natural world is worth celebrating!
Review
“Beauty's in the eye of the beholder in this unique tale ... Decorative illustrations... offer a striking example.” Kirkus Reviews
Synopsis
This stunningly illustrated picture book is an enchanting gift that will sweep kids away this holiday season. A curious caterpillar searches for the true meaning of the word "beautiful." But is there one true meaning--or many?
A caterpillar lives a simple life on his leaf until one day, an UnKnown Thing picks him up and calls him beautiful. A question forms in the caterpillar's mind: "What is beautiful?"
So begins a quest to discover the true meaning of the word beautiful. Much to the caterpillar's surprise, each animal in the forest has their own unique definition:
A bear declares that honeycomb is beautiful
The squirrels say leaves are beautiful
A mole says his burrow is beautiful
What's a caterpillar to do?
How Beautiful offers kids an immersive, memorable experience. Elaborate and vivid illustrations by Melissa Castrill n, author of Yellow Kayak and If I Had a Little Dream, combine with a sweet, central message:
- Beauty is as diverse as we are.
- "Beautiful" means something different to everyone, and that's okay
- The beauty of the natural world is worth celebrating
Synopsis
A "stunningly illustrated" (Booklist STARRED review) picture book about a curious caterpillar searching for the meaning of the word "beautiful." But is there just one meaning--or many?
A caterpillar lives a simple life on his leaf until one day, an UnKnown Thing picks him up and calls him beautiful. A question forms in the caterpillar's mind: "What is beautiful?"
So begins a quest to discover the true meaning of the word beautiful. Much to the caterpillar's surprise, each animal in the forest has their own unique definition:
A bear declares that honeycomb is beautiful
The squirrels say leaves are beautiful
A mole says his burrow is beautiful
What's a caterpillar to do?
How Beautiful offers kids an immersive, memorable experience. Elaborate and vivid illustrations by Melissa Castrill n, author of Yellow Kayak and If I Had a Little Dream, combine with a sweet, central message:
- Beauty is as diverse as we are.
- "Beautiful" means something different to everyone, and that's okay
- The beauty of the natural world is worth celebrating
Synopsis
" Castrill n's] wild drawings carry a decorative impulse to unexpected heights."--New York Times
A stunningly illustrated picture book about a curious caterpillar searching for the true meaning of the word "beautiful." But is there one true meaning--or many?
A caterpillar lives a simple life on his leaf until one day, an UnKnown Thing picks him up and calls him beautiful. A question forms in the caterpillar's mind: "What is beautiful?"
So begins a quest to discover the true meaning of the word beautiful. Much to the caterpillar's surprise, each animal in the forest has their own unique definition:
A bear declares that honeycomb is beautiful
The squirrels say leaves are beautiful
A mole says his burrow is beautiful
What's a caterpillar to do?
How Beautiful offers kids an immersive, memorable experience. Elaborate and vivid illustrations by Melissa Castrill n, author of Yellow Kayak and If I Had a Little Dream, combine with a sweet, central message:
- Beauty is as diverse as we are.
- "Beautiful" means something different to everyone, and that's okay
- The beauty of the natural world is worth celebrating
About the Author
Antonella Capetti is a beloved picture book author and longtime primary school teacher in Italy.
Melissa Castrillón studied illustration and children’s book illustration at the Cambridge School of Art and has illustrated many acclaimed picture books, including The Balcony, If I Had a Little Dream, and Yellow Kayak. A freelance illustrator, she lives in Cambridge, England.