Summary
This story is about an asian girl names Kalia. Her and her family don’t have much money to spare for ice cream, new dresses, or even meat. As she gets older, she becomes unhappy about having to do without and decides she wants braces to improve her smile. It is her grandmother, a woman who has just one tooth in her mouth, who helps her see that true beauty is found with those we love most.
Theme(s):
Family, Love, Care
Personal Response
I found this book to be so sweet and down to earth. It teaches children and people alike that no matter what you have, whether it’s big, small, a lot, or a little, you can ways find beauty somewhere in the situation. This allows children to reflect on what they have and how beautiful their life truly is.
Teaching Ideas
A fun and engaging activity to do is have students write a response about things they find beautiful in their life. It could be a person in their family, a dish they love, or even something silly like a tooth! Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder!
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 02, Grade 03
