The Most Magnificent Idea

PreS-Gr 2–Spires’s magnificent young inventor from The Most Magnificent Thing returns in a story about finding inspiration. The book begins with a review of some of the wonderful inventions the little girl has made, from the simple (a wooden ramp for ducklings) to the spectacular (a scooter with a sidecar for her dog). But now she faces an unanticipated challenge: she doesn’t know what to make next. The girl searches for ideas on a walk, tries to brainstorm them onto paper, experiments with new supplies, and just sits and waits, but nothing comes. She worries that she will never get an idea again—until, eventually, she is inspired to help a neighbor solve a problem. The quirky illustrations of the girl, who has pale skin and brown hair, and her inventions pop against neutral backgrounds and white space. This time around, Spires recognizably illustrates some of the materials the girl uses in her creations, such as chicken wire, wood planks, and cardboard tubes, making the inventing process feel even more attainable to young readers.