A group of animals try to decide which attributes are the best in The Most Important Thing, by Antonella Abbatiello and Angus Yuen-Killick.
The animals of the forest have assembled to discuss what is the most important thing: is it to have a trunk like an elephant, quills like a porcupine, or a long neck like a giraffe? Naturally, every animal is convinced that its particular trait is the most important one and that everyone should have it. But when the large gatefold pages open they show all the animals with the quills of a porcupine, the long neck of a giraffe, or the trunk of the elephant, and everyone sees that it cannot possibly be right. At last, the wise owl speaks up and helps them understand that the true value lies precisely in their collective ‘diversity’. It is that which makes them all unique and essential to harmonious life in the forest.
The Most Important Thing received a UNESCO honorable mention for peace and collaboration. —Synopsis provided by Red Comet Press
The Most Important Thing is a charming book that will have young readers laughing out loud. Can you imagine a lion with teeth like a beaver or if all animals were green like a frog? Kids will immediately relate to the situation — who hasn’t wondered what they’d look like if they took on someone’s/something’s characteristics? And the wacky compilation at the end will have kids drawing their own mashups of both animals and people.
The Most Important Thing is fun to read aloud, especially when changing voices for each animal, and the large foldout pages offer surprises with every turn. This would be a great option for preschool lessons or just for fun.
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