Something Beautiful by Sharon Dennis Wyeth/ Sibley

  A little girl who lives in a run down building notices the trashy courtyard and  ugly writing on the walls. When she walks to school, she notices other unattractive sights. She learns the word"beautiful" in school, which is "something that when you have it, your heart is happy."  When she encounters others on her way home, she asks them if they have something beautiful.  The little girl hears all kind of things that are beautiful: tasting fried fish sandwiches, a jump rope, beads, a smooth stone. When she arrives at her building she decides to do what she can to make her surroundings beautiful.  
    This is a great story, a fast read, with a meaningful message.~Mary Jo