*A Little More Beautiful by Sarah Mackenzie

Lou Alice loves to make the world a little more beautiful. But what happens when she’s old and bedridden?

*A Little More Beautiful by Sarah Mackenzie and illustrated by Breezy Brookshire. Waxwing Books, 2023, 40 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Books, ages 4-8

Recommended for: All ages

Lou Alice is one of those lovely ladies who brightens the world simply by walking through it. She’s “sly as a fox and swift as a bird,” and she has a vision for beautifying the town hall. Not one to balk at work, Lou Alice swiftly and surely gets to work. A young girl watches Lou Alice at work, and when Lou Alice is unable to continue her work, this little girl with “keen eyes and a sharp mind” steps up to the plate.

One of the difficulties facing reviewers is that of objectively evaluating a book that someone we know has written. I consider Sarah a friend, although we’ve never met in person, and I respect her work at Read-Aloud Revival immensely. But I can honestly say that this book is truly lovely, not simply a lovely attempt by a friend. The text has a classic feel to it, and the illustrations perfectly complement the text. The pictures are also fresh and contemporary, featuring a more diverse cast of characters than many of our beloved classic picture books. This book will resonate with those who, like me, love stories like Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney and The Gardener by Sarah Stewart and David Small. Rather than being derivative, though, A Little More Beautiful is the latest in a robust tradition of warm-hearted, well-written picture books that celebrate beauty and those who work to make the world, well, a little more beautiful.

Overall Rating: 4.75 (out of 5)

• Worldview/moral value: 4.75
• Artistic/literary value: 5

Read more about our ratings here.                 

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: Marshmallow Clouds by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek. A lovely picture book in which two poets look at the world around them.
• Review: Hidden City is a poetry picture book that looks at beauty in everyday places.
• Review: Wombat Walkabout is another fun read aloud.

A Little More Beautiful is not available on amazon. If you’d like to purchase a copy for yourself or your library, please visit Waxwing Books. Purchase includes audio files and other extras!