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Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood

by F Isabel Campoy

Subject
Art
Age
3-5 years
Format
Hardcover
Pages
40
Publisher
Clarion Books
Size
26.5 cm × 26.0 cm
ISBN
9780544357693

In this exuberant picture book about transformation through art, Mira lives in a gray urban community until a muralist arrives and, along with his paints and brushes, brings color, joy, and hope to the neighborhood.

What good can a splash of color do in a community of gray? As Mira and her neighbors discover, more than you might ever imagine!

Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation—and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. Pick up a paintbrush and join the celebration!

"Simply superb.” (Kirkus)

Tomás Rivera Book Award * ALA Notable Children's Book * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books of the Year * Huffington Post Best Picture Books of the Year * Kirkus Best of the Year * School Library Journal Top 10 LatinX of the Year

About the creators

F. Isabel CampoyAuthor

F. Isabel Campoy is the author, translator, or anthologist of numerous books in the areas of poetry, theater, fictional narrative, biography, art, and bilingual education. She has been recognized with the Laureate Award from the San Francisco Public Library, the Reading the World Award, and many others. The California Association of Bilingual Education (CABE) has created an award in her name. She is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences on issues of transformative education, second language acquisition, and authentic writing. She lives in Northern California. Visit her at isabelcampoy.com and on Twitter at @fisabelcampoy.

Theresa HowellAuthor

Theresa Howell began her career in publishing as a children’s book editor at Rising Moon, where she helped to establish the bilingual imprint Luna Rising. She is the author of several children’s books with an artistic and cultural focus.

Rafael LópezIllustrator

Rafael López is a New York Times–bestselling, award winning illustrator who has illustrated numerous acclaimed picture books, including The Day You Begin and The Year We Learned to Fly (New York Times bestsellers), Dancing Hands (Pura Belpré Medal), and Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You (Schneider Award), among others. Rafael is the recipient of three Pura Belpré medals, the Schneider Family Book Award, the Jane Addams Book Award, and the Tomás Rivera Book Award. He was the first guest artist of the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum and founder of the Urban Art Trail, a series of large-scale community murals around the U.S. Rafael lives in San Diego and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. You can visit him at rafaellopez.com.

Data provided by BiblioShare.

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What reviewers said

"An inspiring and wistful message wrapped up in a subtle, thoughtful narrative and lively, beautiful art: simply superb."
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Campoy and Howell deliver a clear, uplifting message about the power of art to revitalize people and their surroundings."
Publishers Weekly
"This empowering story of community engagement might inspire kids to get involved in their own neighborhoods."
Booklist
© 2026 Peekabooks Inc. All Rights Reserved.
© 2026 Peekabooks Inc. All Rights Reserved.