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Clarice Bean
Clarice Bean, Smile
With her school project overdue, the irrepressible Clarice ponders big themes, like the delicate balance of life on Earth, the nature of happiness, and how even the smallest person can make a difference.
Clarice Bean is thinking about all the endangered things: the BIG creatures, the LITTLE creatures, the plants and the trees. If only she can stop daydreaming, she might come up with a subject for her big school assignment—or is daydreaming part of the creative process? Meanwhile, it’s not just the planet that needs help; there’s her whole family too—like a forgetful granddad who keeps falling and a dad who is literally getting sick from a stressful office merger (whatever that may be). Welcome back to the beloved world of Clarice Bean, whose books have sold more than six million copies worldwide and garnered huge critical acclaim. As always, Lauren Child brings her signature quirky humor and enchanting black-and-white illustrations to this smile-inducing story about honoring your unique gifts—and using them to make things better.
Clarice Bean is thinking about all the endangered things: the BIG creatures, the LITTLE creatures, the plants and the trees. If only she can stop daydreaming, she might come up with a subject for her big school assignment—or is daydreaming part of the creative process? Meanwhile, it’s not just the planet that needs help; there’s her whole family too—like a forgetful granddad who keeps falling and a dad who is literally getting sick from a stressful office merger (whatever that may be). Welcome back to the beloved world of Clarice Bean, whose books have sold more than six million copies worldwide and garnered huge critical acclaim. As always, Lauren Child brings her signature quirky humor and enchanting black-and-white illustrations to this smile-inducing story about honoring your unique gifts—and using them to make things better.
- GenresMiddle GradeHumor
288 pages, Hardcover
Published April 1, 2025
10 people are currently reading
2306 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Child
451 books837 followersLauren Child MBE is an English author and illustrator. She was the UK Children's Laureate from 2017-19.
Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 25, 2025
This book didn't just "talk the talk" it "walked the walk"
Thank goodness Lauren Child is still writing these books 🙏
Thank goodness Lauren Child is still writing these books 🙏
November 5, 2025
smile 7 the lemon
January 21, 2025
A breath of extraordinarily good fresh air!!! Lift your spirits and restore your faith in community and human nature!
Read
August 25, 2025I will NEVER not read a Lauren Child book
October 19, 2025
One of my favourite series of all time- was slightly disappointed there weren’t as many doodles in this one!! Love the message of the book, I am Lauren Child’s no1 fan
June 2, 2025
Interesting book
May 20, 2025
What worked:
Clarice is much like any average middle-grade student, and the story reflects events that are significant to her. She’s put off choosing a topic for a class project until the last minute and then worries that she might have made a mistake. Her best friend moved away to San Francisco in the previous book, and a new friend who replaced her is still in Europe. Clarice still has a loyal friend named Karl to support her, as he understands and accepts all of her quirks. Clarice’s parents are struggling with challenges in their jobs, but Clarice suspects there might be more going on with her dad. Her younger brother becomes terrified of centipedes, and her older sister is moody. And then there’s the annoying neighbor who overreacts when Clarice or her siblings stand on or lean against her stone wall.
Clarice is a devoted fan of everything Ruby Redfort. She tries to never miss a show, and she reads and rereads the series of magazines featuring Ruby Redfort. Clarice likes her neighbor, Nice Sandy, although she’s a big distraction when talking through the Ruby Redfort program. The magazines present many topics, but the story focuses on the meanings of different smiles. Clarice often interprets others’ smiles and tries manipulating her mouth to convey different nonverbal connotations. The author utilizes a different font type to make these references stand out, as well as relevant quotes from Ruby Redfort.
The myriad of minor happenings fill much of the plot, but there are a couple of long-term conflicts running throughout. The neighborhood sidewalks are being lifted by tree roots, causing them to become tripping hazards. Clarice’s grandfather already has trouble keeping his balance, so walking the dog, Cement, can be dangerous. Some people want the trees removed, but others enjoy their beauty and want them saved. Clarice has a creative idea for her project and works hard with her older brother’s help. However, an unexpected problem arises, causing her to become sad and want to give up. Finally, her parents’ job issues only worsen, and something needs to be done. Clarice surprisingly comes to the rescue.
What didn’t work as well:
The description of Clarice’s thinking often jumps from topic to topic, much like young minds are prone to do. However, it can be harder to keep track of what’s actually happening when other thoughts pop into her head.
The final verdict:
Young readers can connect with Clarise’s character and enjoy all of the ups and downs. The author infuses valuable lessons for life, including the importance of maintaining balance in our lives and in nature. I recommend you give the book a shot.
Clarice is much like any average middle-grade student, and the story reflects events that are significant to her. She’s put off choosing a topic for a class project until the last minute and then worries that she might have made a mistake. Her best friend moved away to San Francisco in the previous book, and a new friend who replaced her is still in Europe. Clarice still has a loyal friend named Karl to support her, as he understands and accepts all of her quirks. Clarice’s parents are struggling with challenges in their jobs, but Clarice suspects there might be more going on with her dad. Her younger brother becomes terrified of centipedes, and her older sister is moody. And then there’s the annoying neighbor who overreacts when Clarice or her siblings stand on or lean against her stone wall.
Clarice is a devoted fan of everything Ruby Redfort. She tries to never miss a show, and she reads and rereads the series of magazines featuring Ruby Redfort. Clarice likes her neighbor, Nice Sandy, although she’s a big distraction when talking through the Ruby Redfort program. The magazines present many topics, but the story focuses on the meanings of different smiles. Clarice often interprets others’ smiles and tries manipulating her mouth to convey different nonverbal connotations. The author utilizes a different font type to make these references stand out, as well as relevant quotes from Ruby Redfort.
The myriad of minor happenings fill much of the plot, but there are a couple of long-term conflicts running throughout. The neighborhood sidewalks are being lifted by tree roots, causing them to become tripping hazards. Clarice’s grandfather already has trouble keeping his balance, so walking the dog, Cement, can be dangerous. Some people want the trees removed, but others enjoy their beauty and want them saved. Clarice has a creative idea for her project and works hard with her older brother’s help. However, an unexpected problem arises, causing her to become sad and want to give up. Finally, her parents’ job issues only worsen, and something needs to be done. Clarice surprisingly comes to the rescue.
What didn’t work as well:
The description of Clarice’s thinking often jumps from topic to topic, much like young minds are prone to do. However, it can be harder to keep track of what’s actually happening when other thoughts pop into her head.
The final verdict:
Young readers can connect with Clarise’s character and enjoy all of the ups and downs. The author infuses valuable lessons for life, including the importance of maintaining balance in our lives and in nature. I recommend you give the book a shot.
May 29, 2025
There is never a dull moment for Clarice Bean and her family. While she agonizes over a topic for an environmental art project and contends with the recent long-distance relocation of her best friend Betty, her parents have serious grown-up worries of their own. The whole family is concerned about Grampa, who is seeming more and more forgetful and occasionally clumsy. Clarice’s dad is suffering from terrible headaches, which are exacerbated by an upcoming merger at work, and Mom is frustrated when she has to cover for others at her job. There is trouble in the neighborhood, too: everyone is annoyed by traffic patterns and tree roots in the sidewalk, but no one seems to have a viable solution, and while one new neighbor, Czarina, is advocating for the trees and the birds with poetic signs, Mrs. Stampney from next door doesn’t want any change at all. As usual, Clarice Bean takes on the weight of everyone’s worries in addition to her own; she is worried about the environment, her schoolwork, her family, and her social life. With help from her older siblings and a couple of new school friends, and using advice from her fictional heroine, Ruby Redfort, Clarice Bean comes up with a terrific idea for her school project and discovers ways to help her family as well. When her project is destroyed by a gust of wind and a tree, and everything seems to be going wrong, she learns that her perennially positive outlook and helpful nature has had a big impact on her friends and family.
Series fans will love being reunited with this family, their bustling community, and especially the inimitable Clarice Bean. Her earnest first person narration is so funny and heartfelt, and whether she’s worried about her father’s health (and the adults’ secretive nature about it), her teacher’s feelings about her, or when she will get her hands on the latest Ruby Redfort book, readers will empathize with everything that crosses her mind. The focus on environmental issues will also appeal to many, and there is an informative afterword with notes related to Clarice’s school project. Lauren Child’s trademark style of mixed media illustrations and fluctuating font size and style make the book even more entertaining. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Series fans will love being reunited with this family, their bustling community, and especially the inimitable Clarice Bean. Her earnest first person narration is so funny and heartfelt, and whether she’s worried about her father’s health (and the adults’ secretive nature about it), her teacher’s feelings about her, or when she will get her hands on the latest Ruby Redfort book, readers will empathize with everything that crosses her mind. The focus on environmental issues will also appeal to many, and there is an informative afterword with notes related to Clarice’s school project. Lauren Child’s trademark style of mixed media illustrations and fluctuating font size and style make the book even more entertaining. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
May 21, 2024
Clarice Bean, Smile is another delightful addition to Lauren Child's beloved series, which continues to charm readers of all ages. I have adored these books for years, both personally and through reading them to my now-grown children, and this latest instalment is just as enchanting as the rest.
Clarice Bean, our wonderfully quirky and relatable protagonist, remains unchanged in this latest adventure. Her unique perspective on life's challenges, her humorous observations, and her unfiltered honesty are as endearing as ever. It's heart-warming to see that despite the years passing, Clarice's essence has stayed consistent, maintaining the charm and authenticity that initially captivated us and making her a character we can all connect with.
Lauren Child's writing shines in her ability to address significant issues through Clarice's eyes. In Clarice Bean, Smile, she deftly touches upon themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and resilience, making these important topics not only accessible but also engaging for young readers. Clarice's voice brings a sense of realism and depth to the story, encouraging readers to reflect on their own experiences and feelings, thereby making the story all the more relevant and significant.
The characters in the Clarice Bean series are richly developed and continue to evolve in ways that feel true to their original portrayals. Clarice's family and friends add layers of humour and warmth to the narrative, creating a vibrant and relatable world that readers can't help but get lost in.
Reading Clarice Bean's Smile was a nostalgic experience for me. It brought back fond memories of bedtime stories with my children, who are now 27 and 25. The joy and laughter these books brought into our home are precious, and it's a pleasure to see that the magic is still alive.
Clarice Bean, our wonderfully quirky and relatable protagonist, remains unchanged in this latest adventure. Her unique perspective on life's challenges, her humorous observations, and her unfiltered honesty are as endearing as ever. It's heart-warming to see that despite the years passing, Clarice's essence has stayed consistent, maintaining the charm and authenticity that initially captivated us and making her a character we can all connect with.
Lauren Child's writing shines in her ability to address significant issues through Clarice's eyes. In Clarice Bean, Smile, she deftly touches upon themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and resilience, making these important topics not only accessible but also engaging for young readers. Clarice's voice brings a sense of realism and depth to the story, encouraging readers to reflect on their own experiences and feelings, thereby making the story all the more relevant and significant.
The characters in the Clarice Bean series are richly developed and continue to evolve in ways that feel true to their original portrayals. Clarice's family and friends add layers of humour and warmth to the narrative, creating a vibrant and relatable world that readers can't help but get lost in.
Reading Clarice Bean's Smile was a nostalgic experience for me. It brought back fond memories of bedtime stories with my children, who are now 27 and 25. The joy and laughter these books brought into our home are precious, and it's a pleasure to see that the magic is still alive.
March 24, 2025
Another delightful book about the mischievous Clarice Bean! I love these books!
The layout, the graphic design, the delightful, fast-moving prose...a HIT!
I have loved them all, and this one is no exception.
I love the way Lauren Child does dialogue (I mean specifically the way she attributes it). It makes it so easy for younger readers to tell who's talking.
This one is a great choice for Earth Day, as it focuses on her wonder/worry about the things around her (including her own family).
As someone who specializes in gifted education, this is a perfect book for gifted kids with early moral concern.
Another great one!
*Note: I received an advanced copy for my honest review.
The layout, the graphic design, the delightful, fast-moving prose...a HIT!
I have loved them all, and this one is no exception.
I love the way Lauren Child does dialogue (I mean specifically the way she attributes it). It makes it so easy for younger readers to tell who's talking.
This one is a great choice for Earth Day, as it focuses on her wonder/worry about the things around her (including her own family).
As someone who specializes in gifted education, this is a perfect book for gifted kids with early moral concern.
Another great one!
*Note: I received an advanced copy for my honest review.
August 5, 2025
10/10. I'm 19 and I work full time and related to Clarice beans dad more than Clarice 😭 like woah everything he went through is what I'm going through right this exact moment. i love how Clarice Bean thinks and how witty and funny she is. The last chapter was so beautifully written and some parts made me audibly laugh out loud. i remember being 10 and picking up my first Clarice bean book in the library and relating so heavily at how she always ended up in the middle of a muddle of things. but this was such a good book and Lauren Child is a GENIUS.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2025
Thoughtful, Funny, and Completely Charming
This book perfectly captures why Clarice Bean is such a beloved character. Clarice’s wandering thoughts about endangered creatures, happiness, and making a difference felt both funny and surprisingly profound. I loved how her “daydreaming” turned out to be exactly what she needed for her school project. The story gently shows kids that thinking deeply and creatively is a strength, not a flaw. Lauren Child’s humor and illustrations add so much personality—I found myself smiling on every page.
This book perfectly captures why Clarice Bean is such a beloved character. Clarice’s wandering thoughts about endangered creatures, happiness, and making a difference felt both funny and surprisingly profound. I loved how her “daydreaming” turned out to be exactly what she needed for her school project. The story gently shows kids that thinking deeply and creatively is a strength, not a flaw. Lauren Child’s humor and illustrations add so much personality—I found myself smiling on every page.
February 19, 2025
When I met Lauren Child last year, I got her to sign my childhood copy of Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now, which I loved because when I read it it showed how I felt when my best friend moved away, something I couldn't put into words. And now I'm grown I read this book and it continues that feeling and it's perfect. Also so funny, I continue to laugh out loud. I think once you bond to a character as a child, that feeling never really goes away.
May 5, 2024
Lauren Child is one of my all time favourite authors, she writes children’s books in such a clever way. Her stories are relatable and entertaining for kids whilst also incorporating plenty of humour for adult readers. What I love most is how she is able to so easily communicate complex topics to a younger audience.
January 18, 2025
This is a great book for anxious young readers (grades 4-8) who sometimes need a good laugh. Children worry about the people and events that affect their world. As they get older, they worry about a greater sphere of issues, climate change, illness, poverty, etc. This book is a great way to show them it's okay to balance their worries with some humor.
-Elaine Hopper, Owner
Marble City Books
-Elaine Hopper, Owner
Marble City Books
October 20, 2025
Reviewed for granite media - this is great for lovers of Clarice Bean. Fun, quirky character with a desire to change the world. This is the 10th book in the series and it doesn't work as well as a standalone.
December 26, 2024
i love love love clarice bean forever
March 10, 2025
Nostalgic and Lovely
January 2, 2026
Funny and relatable. I wish I was as compassionate and understanding as Clarice Bean when I was 11.
January 10, 2026
This book is a great example of young people making a difference as activists in many ways. At some points I found it a little difficult to engage with.
May 23, 2025
My kids loved this book! They both loved the main character and the story line. Great read for older elementary and even middle schoolers.
June 1, 2024
When you are told there is trademark humour in a book, don’t worry that you are trespassing. This trademark humour hasn’t, to the best of my knowledge anyway, been directly protected it just means that it is the type that you will have come to expect of this particular character. In this case it is Clarice Bean and her very specific brand of humour. Now humour is very personal and we all experience it in different ways, find different things funny but, quite honestly, you don’t have to be laughing out loud or even showing a smile on your face. You can be smiling privately, inside, the funny things about Clarice Bean and her latest story giving you a nice warm feeling. That is particularly appropriate for Smile to, for this is, as all her stories are, classic Clarice Bean, it is utterly fabulous and wonderful, expressive and off the wall silly at times and it does all this with a very important message underlying the whole – in this story Clarice is thinking…
Now, that is not to suggest Clarice doesn’t usually think, she most certainly does and her particular style of thinking is quite inspirational, showing readers there are many ways to be a thinker and to be thoughtful. On this occasion she has turned her thinking thoughts to the endangered things in the world. There are BIG creatures and little creatures on her mind. Then there are the plants and the trees too. Clarice is thinking about how much the planet needs help but she soon realises her family do too. How is she going to help, to balance all these needs? With the usual Clarice Bean style and suave of course! Clarice daydreams about being an inventor and creating something which is extraordinarily good, a something that could change the world for the better. After all, if you think about all the things that are needed better is really what is needed and Clarice is absolutely not too small to make a different – after all there are plankton, the tiniest creatures on the planet – and they can make a difference. So can Clarice, so can her family. So can you and I. It is time to make a difference but first it is time to read Smile.
I write reviews for Armadillo Children's Books and this one appeared in my weekly newsletter, Postbag Picks, in March 2024.
Now, that is not to suggest Clarice doesn’t usually think, she most certainly does and her particular style of thinking is quite inspirational, showing readers there are many ways to be a thinker and to be thoughtful. On this occasion she has turned her thinking thoughts to the endangered things in the world. There are BIG creatures and little creatures on her mind. Then there are the plants and the trees too. Clarice is thinking about how much the planet needs help but she soon realises her family do too. How is she going to help, to balance all these needs? With the usual Clarice Bean style and suave of course! Clarice daydreams about being an inventor and creating something which is extraordinarily good, a something that could change the world for the better. After all, if you think about all the things that are needed better is really what is needed and Clarice is absolutely not too small to make a different – after all there are plankton, the tiniest creatures on the planet – and they can make a difference. So can Clarice, so can her family. So can you and I. It is time to make a difference but first it is time to read Smile.
I write reviews for Armadillo Children's Books and this one appeared in my weekly newsletter, Postbag Picks, in March 2024.
May 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this new book in the Clarice bean series, and it’s interesting seeing Clarice a bit older in this book- I would say this is my third favourite in the series I think (but I honestly love them all)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews