A LITTLE MORE BEAUTIFUL by Sarah Mackenzie

​Review by Annie Cronin Romano

In A LITTLE MORE BEAUTIFUL (Waxwing Books, 2023), Lou Alice loves the outdoors, and she especially loves to garden. With each day that goes by, Lou Alice does something to leave the world a little more beautiful than she found it, and the gardens she plants bring smiles to those in her town. Then one day, an aging Lou Alice is no longer able to do the work she loves, and no one seems to be missing her except for one young girl. She had been observing Lou Alice, always noticing the beauty she had sown and the pleasure that came from her efforts. The girl takes over tending the gardens as Lou Alice once had, but she realizes she needs to do more, for it wasn’t just the flowers she loved; it was Lou Alice's untethered joy at sharing nature's beauty. The girl knows what makes Lou Alice smile, and she decides to see to it that Lou Alice receives some of the happiness she's given others.

A LITTLE MORE BEAUTIFUL is a picture book ideal for children ages 3-8. In a classic tone, it depicts the importance of appreciation and how sharing our talents can not only bring beauty into the world but also appreciation of others and the joy of human connection. Magically illustrated by Breezy Brookshire, the springtime palette perfectly captures the happiness created by Lou Alice’s gardens. The illustrations seamlessly complement the selective text, picking up the story where the words leave off and adding some visual treats along the way, as children will enjoy tracking the birds and curious cat across the pages. 
 
On Writing
Mackenzie’s use of text is efficient yet expressive. Her writing is a solid example of subtly conveying a message within a story. While there are clearly social themes in this picture book, the lessons are presented with a light touch, and the delivery allows for a variety of take-aways, such as appreciation of nature, awareness of others, kindness, and human connection. Using this book as an example, take a look at your own stories that may have an embedded social lesson. Examine if the moral is too overt and forced. Be sure the message is folded gently into the story narrative. 

For more information about Sarah Mackenzie’s work, visit her website at www.waxwingbooks.com/about. 
For info on Breezy Brookshire’s work, visit her website at www.breezybrookshire.com.

---