A Smile

‘It speaks to everyone, from the youngest to the oldest and leaves the gift of a smile when it’s finished…incredibly uplifting and thought-provoking. Each spread is bright and bursting with life, full of details to notice and enjoy. -- North Somerset Teachers’s Award * North Somerset Teachers’s Award *
We're thrilled to be finishing off the tour for A Smile. This is a gorgeous new edition of a classic poem, with spectacular illustrations. Read a review and an interview with illustrator Hoda Hadadi and learn more about her collage technique. Discover why this project was particularly meaningful for Hoda, see her advice for aspiring illustrators, and find out how she feels about centipedes...What's it about? The text is a poem which celebrates the act of smiling and was written by French journalist, poet and humanitarian, Raoul Follereau, in 1920. The images show two children waking up, going to school, buying a cake for their teacher, and wishing her a happy birthday when she arrives in the classroom. Then we watch them travel home again at the end of the school day. As we follow their route in each direction, we see examples of the transformative nature of smiling in every scene. What can we learn? Smiling is something that unites us all, and something that anyone can afford to give and receive, regardless of their age or circumstances. If someone looks as though they have forgotten how to smile, then they are in need of a smile from you. Sometimes the most effortless things are the most effective, and everyone can have a positive impact on the world around them - even children. What makes this stand out? This is a simple but powerful poem, with a timeless message about spreading kindness, and the illustrations are stunning and inspirational too.About those illustrations... Hoda Hadadi really makes Follereau's work her own, and through her art creates a wonderful visual narrative. I love her cheerful and child-friendly style of collage. Every page is extremely interesting as well as attractive. It would be difficult, and perhaps even impossible, to find a book whose images communicate more joy and affection. I love all the intricate details, like the silhouette of a child in the door of the school, and the little boy plucking a flower on the way there. There are tiny smiles embedded in the images almost everywhere you look. They can be found on the sun, soft toys, books, flowers, bunting, and in a child's drawing. The cover image features clouds smiling! I love the children's art that hangs on the bedroom wall and the scene of the family reading beside the biographical note about Follereau. The little girl's smiling toy bunny, tucked up in its own bed in the first scene, is adorable. Why we love it... It's just so beautiful! Even though this was originally written over 100 years ago, it's as relevant as ever. Follereau's writing is amazing and Hoda Hadadi's illustrations have their own poetry. Why you need it... This is perfect for gently introducing children to the importance of kindness and altruisim, as well as easy ways to practice what they've learned. It's a fabulous bedtime story and Hoda's art will encourage young people to be creative themselves. This is ideal for use in a classroom and for basing activities around too. This book would also make a marvellous and memorable gift, for adults as well as children. It's sure to put a smile on the face of anyone who reads it.
The poem “A Smile”, attributed to the philanthropist and writer Raoul Follereau and first appearing in his book ‘Le Livre d’Amour’ in 1920, is a wonderful celebration of the power of something small that has a unique value. His beautiful words are worth a slow and careful read. Each line of this thoughtful poem recognises the difference that a smile given can make to the receiver and the emotional impact of this simple human message that costs nothing to share. “No one is so rich that they can live without a smile. No one is so poor that they do not deserve a smile.” The words are full of compassion, understanding and tenderness to those who may be struggling and have particular resonance at the moment as we emerge from lockdown and are able to share smiles more readily. The words are accompanied by the most joyous illustrations by Hoda Hadadi that provide a storyline missing from the poem itself. The cover depicting a trio of smiling children beneath a beaming sun and jolly smiling clouds instantly lifts your spirits and the endpapers continue the theme with a garden of flowers each of them smiling happily. The reader follows the children as they spread their smiles among the people they meet; the rich man with his downcast face, the young unemployed man lost in sadness and the little girl with the burst balloon. As we turn the pages we watch as their days are transformed by this small act of kindness. We also witness those who were previously sad in turn spreading the joy to others that they meet and this domino effect of a simple smile is heartening to witness. A beautiful book to share with children this would be excellent to use in the classroom and for assemblies as its message and themes are conveyed in a way that has an impact for any age. -- https://alibrarylady.blog/