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When I found out my previous principal and his wife had authored a children’s book, I had to buy it and check it out. I knew it would be awesome because I know Don and Vickie Epps and their kids, Sarah and Charlie, are awesome. And let me tell you, I was right. This is a great book, and its message is so timely right now. We should all be doing our best to find lost smiles.
Finding Lost Smiles Arrives
When it arrived, Kristin and I opened it together. Kristin and Sarah were in the same classes in school over the years, so she was excited to look it over. She took it out to the gazebo to check it out.
I couldn’t help sneaking peeks myself!
The Story
If you’re a mother of young children or an elementary teacher, I would definitely recommend this book as an addition to your home or school library. The story centers around Sam who is usually happy and willing to share his smile. When new kids Molly and Billy come to school, he finds that they don’t return his efforts when he smiles. After a discussion with his parents, Sam doubles up on his efforts to get Molly and Billy to smile. It seems like nothing works. When Sam has a bad day himself, he discovers that he did have a positive impact after all.
My Thoughts
I think that is one of the best parts of the story, and as a teacher, I can certainly relate. As teachers (and human beings), I hope we are all doing our best to help others find their lost smiles. But it’s easy to share your smile when you can see the effects right away by getting a smile in return. Sometimes it takes a long time for someone to find their smile, and you may never see it yourself. This story is a great reminder of how we may never know the impact we have on someone else, so we should not let the unknowing dampen our spirit or dissuade us.
Even though I teach high school, I plan on bringing the book to my classroom this fall and displaying it on my classroom library bookshelf. Sometimes we all need a little reminder, myself included.
Get your copy here:
Related websites from collaborators of this book:
If you’re a high school teacher, you may also be interested in this review–
The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig by Don Zolidis
21 Comments
This book sounds delightful! It’s so true that you never know how much your small efforts may mean to someone else.
It sounds like a sweet book. I will have to check this out. Thank you!
Sounds like a sweet, heartfelt book. We could all definitely use a pick-me-up these days!
Thank you for the book information. It is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for sharing this great book! My grandson will love this!!
I will have my school librarian check this book out!
That’s so cool!
Always looking for new books for the kids – thanks for the review!
This looks like a great read! Exciting to know the author!
I love this! Sounds like a perfect “feel good” story.
Sounds like a wonderful story!!
Sounds like a great story. Lessons learned.
Sounds like a great book! If more people smiled the world would be a better place.
I am glad this was enjoyable for both you as a teacher and for your child.
I love finding new books to read to my kids. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a wonderful book to share.
Sounds like a great book!
This looks like a great book, I’ll have to check it out. Thanks!
Thank you for the review! Smiles are free & often (not always) contagious. Thank you for sharing this!
That’s so cool! I wish I knew someone that wrote a book. I don’t have any kids, but I would still buy a children’s book if someone in my family or a friend wrote it.
Sounds like a wonderful book, and very needed. How cool that you have a connection to the author!