Looking for Smile

by Ellen Tarlow, Lauren Stringer (Illustrator)

Bear wakes one day to find his Smile gone and enlists his friends to help him find it.

Bear and Smile are always together. They wake up together, swim by the waterfall together, and eat honey together. But one day, Bear wakes up and Smile is nowhere to be found. With the help of his woodland friends, will Bear be able to find his Smile again?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Emotion, Friendship, Mental Health, Childrens, Storytime

48 pages, Hardcover

Published September 29, 2020

Reviews

[Katelynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, the bear, the bird, the smiles--they all gave my heart a much-needed squeeze. Kids and adults alike will appreciate this beautifully illustrated reminder that you won't always be able to smile, but some favorite things and the right friends will be there to bring the brightness back into your life!

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear and Smile spent all their time together doing all sorts of things. Smile was always there when Bear woke up in the morning. They both liked the same breakfast and to explore the forest together. They also both would do anything for some honey. But then one morning, Bear woke up and Smile wasn’t there. Bear called for Smile but they never came. Breakfast didn’t taste the same. Rabbit suggests that Bear look for Smile in their favorite places. But even eating honey doesn’t bring Smile back. Bird comes and sits close to Bear not saying a word. Then Bird started to sing and Bear hummed along. Soon Bear started to feel something deep inside. There was Smile!

Tarlow explores emotions in this picture book, allowing all emotional states to be treated with compassion and empathy. Bear is usually very happy but some days can be blue ones, where it’s impossible to smile. Treating Smile as its own character makes the book really work well. Readers will understand immediately and enjoy seeing what will bring Smile back. They will likely expect the honey to work, and when it doesn’t that’s a great moment where only quiet empathy will work to find Smile again.

The illustrations are done in watercolor, gouache and acrylics. They create an entire world for Bear and Smile to explore and live in together. From Bear’s cozy home to the waterfalls and forests of their habitat. The landscapes are filled with bright colors of water, flowers and leaves. When Bear gets sad though, he changes from his deep warm brown to a cool blue and stays that way until Smile returns.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

good illustrations and good message about how sometimes it's not going to be a happy day

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel you, bear. I've been losing track of my smile lately too...

[Kristin Guay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about how we all have those sad days every once in a while--and what we can do to turn those days around. In this story, Bear and Smile (his smile) do everything together. They walk in the woods, jump in rain puddles, swim with the ducks, and gaze at stars--they basically begin and end each day together. However, Bear wakes up one day and Smile is not there. He tells Smile “It’s time to wake up. It’s time for breakfast”, but Smile does not appear. Bear is not happy about this and his sad expression is noticed by Rabbit. Rabbit suggests that Bear look in all his favorite places to find his missing Smile. He does this by going to the waterfall, the woods, even to a bee hive with fresh honey. Nothing seems to work. Bear slumps down next, completely upset that he cannot find his Smile. Along comes a little red bird. She offers comfort by simply sitting quietly next to Bear. The bird slowly begins to sing, Bear chimes in with a hum, and pretty soon Bear is feeling better again--and his friend Smile has returned. This goes to show how simply just listening and being there for someone can help them heal.

The watercolor illustrations provided by Lauren Stringer were perfect for this book. She captures the beauty of the natural world that surrounds Bear (and Smile) by showing sun-dappled forests, deep blue ponds and nighttime skies filled with stars. The brightness of the colors change when Bear is sad--for example, when he is happy his bedroom is filled with color including a butterfly bedside lamp, colorful books, and a flowered rug. All this changes to a muted blue when he is sad. I think this is a great way to show how everything just seems different when we feel gloomy.

I think this book is perfect for a wide audience such as three to eight year olds. Younger children will enjoy the story and I think they will get something out of the fact that sometimes we have bad days. However, I could see older children really identifying with having sad days and also what makes them feel better on those days--and also how they could help someone else feel better by just listening and being there.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the illustrations, but didn't like the concept. Bear and Smile (his smile) were always together. They liked the same things. Then one day Bear can't find Smile. He looks everywhere. He sits down with Bird and they hum and sing and Smile comes back.

[Leslie Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read a loud for 3-6 years old and maybe older. We all need more smiles now.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn picture books making me cry. I was all ready to write this one off until halfway through when I realized: OoooooH, this book is about DEPRESSION. And then it made me cry, even though I knew exactly what was going to happen. Damn picture books...
P.S. The use of color to signify mood is exceptional. Well done, Lauren Stringer.

[Abby Houk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is a great way to talk to kids about feelings. Sometimes we have bad days, but they will not last forever. Bear was able to find his smile and be happy again. I will use this book in my future classroom to teach my students about emotions. I want to teach them that it we all have bad days and that’s okay, but they will not last forever.

[Veronica McFarlin]

Bear and Smile are friends who do everything together, until one day Smile disappears and Bear can't find them. He searches all over for Smile and can't find them anywhere. Then he runs into bird, who sits and sings with him to make Smile come back again.

I would use this to talk about emotions and how it's okay to lose your smile. We could then talk about ways to find your smile again, like how in the book Bear sits with his friend bird and they sing together.

[Kaitlyn Egenes · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book it's about a bear who loses their smile. He looks in all his favorite places for it and can't seem to find it. Later on, a bird finds him and tries to help. It took a little bit but eventually the bear found their smile again.

I would love to use this book in my classroom to help kids understand that everyone has bad days. You don't always have to be smiling and having the best day. Friends can be there to help cheer you up though.

[Emma Falduto · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book addressed sadness and depression in a very light and easy way. It also showed the importance of having a helpful friend in your life. Overall it was very touching and good for older children.

[Dedra Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet, teachable book about emotions and depression. And friends. I love Bear, with or without his Smile.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a great addition to storytimes talking about emotions - especially if you're looking for something that provides a nice overview or tone of feelings. Combined with colorful illustrations, the storyline shows how Bear feels when Smile is present and when Smile is lost. When Bear and Smile are happy, the pages are full of life and vibrant colors. When Bear lost Smile and is searching for them, the pages are more subdued and the colors are muted. Sometimes, we feel full of happiness and like smiling. Other times, we lose our smiles and it can take a little while to find them again. Sometimes, we need a little help and that's what friends are for. Definitely a recommend read!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, a wonderful demonstration of what depression is like in a picture book, suitable for kids. A clever idea, to make "Smile" an entity separate from the protagonist. Also, when Smile doesn't come, the whole color palette turns blue (with occasional splashes of color, like for the honey), until with the companionship of a friend, smile comes back and so does vibrant color. The idea of just sitting with someone with depression is very Pooh/Piglet/Eeyore

[Kathy Whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and designed picturebook that explains and show in simple words and engaging paintings what it feels like to be sad or depressed. What I appreciate most is that the message is subtle, not didactic, and therefore respects even very young readers’ abilities to make meaning and understand deeply.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite part of this book was showing that it can be helpful to sit or spend time with (or sing with!) someone who is down, rather than trying to actively cheer them up - as well as showing that it is ok to feel sad or down, and that it can pass. I also liked the color palettes. The story itself was a bit clunkier.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This sweet book gently explores the experience of feeling sad and finding your smile again.

[Adam Blackman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been looking forward to reviewing this book since the minute the author, a writing critique partner of mine, told me it had been selected in one fell swoop by both an agent and an editor. The story about Bear's relationship to Smile is a simple, perfect rendering of the ineffable, unpredictable nature of happiness. Timeless wisdom is rendered perfectly for the youngest picture book audience, yet will resonate deeply with readers of all ages, and belongs alongside masterpieces like The Rabbit Listened.

Mirroring Ellen Tarlow's lovely words, illustrator Lauren Stringer brings the story beautifully to life with soft brush strokes and gentle but vivid colors. Many readers and reviews will note how she highlights the emotional shift when Smile is lost with a switch to a blue palette, and this is the standout, beautifully executed decision. But she also does so much more to build this sweet, good-natured character, like give him rosy cheeks and - I'm gushing. I'll stop. This book is beautiful. Buy it. Check it out of the library. But most of all read it, to littles to bolster them, to yourself when you're having a bad day, or as is the case with 2020, year. Trust me, when you close this book, you won't be able to stop yourself from smiling.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subject:
Emotions -- Juvenile fiction.
Smiling -- Juvenile fiction.
Lost articles -- Juvenile fiction.
Bears -- Juvenile fiction.

Bear and Smile are always together. They wake up together, swim by the waterfall together, and eat honey together. But one day, Bear wakes up and Smile is nowhere to be found. With the help of his woodland friends, will Bear be able to find his Smile again?

This tender and special debut picture book explores sadness with a light touch and shows that sometimes a good friend can make all the difference.
Ellen Tarlow lives in Sunnyside, Queens, with her husband, David (a painter), and Frankie (a cat). Most mornings she goes to her job as an early literacy specialist where she gets to work with children's books all day. Riding a bike, the arrival of spring, and encouraging animals to talk (on paper) are some of the things that make her smile.

Lauren Stringer has illustrated many celebrated picture books, including Deer Dancer by Mary Lyn Ray; The Princess and Her Panther by Wendy Orr; Scarecrow and Snow, both written by Cynthia Rylant; as well as her own Winter Is the Warmest Season and When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky. She lives with her family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit her at LaurenStringer.com.

[Lauren Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear and smile are best friends – they do everything together! One day, smile goes missing so bear goes on an adventure to their favourite places to find smile. Bear still couldn’t find smile and was very sad. Bird sat with a sad Bear and they began to sing and hum which led to Bear finding smile!

This book displays the message that it is ok to sometimes not have happy days and shows in a simple way what it feels like when you are sad or depressed. The book never tells the reader where smile went, but this could create a great opportunity for discussion and for children to discuss feelings and different emotions.

I liked the use of frames in this book and how they really made the reader centre in on certain things and activities, such as the fun that bear and smile had, and then smile itself!

I found this book particularly relatable in the times we are living in now, as many people are experiencing days where they have lost their smiles – this would be a great story to explain and show this to children.

I think children would enjoy this book, especially in KS1.

[Jordyn Warhover · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story. Looking for Smile is a story about Bear. Bear and smile are always together. They like the same foods and activities and are always ready for the day. But one day, Bear wakes up and smile isn't there. He does all of their favorite things, eats their favorite foods, but smile didn't show up. Bird sees bear and hears about how smile is gone. Bird snuggles close to bear and begins to sing, and bear hums along. As they do this, smile comes back! I think this book is a good way to show children that you can be in a bad mood or even have a bad day, but someone can always be there to bring your smile back. However, it seems pretty general and I think there are many books that go along the same lines as this story. I would like to have this book in my classroom because it talks about emotions, and emotional regulation is so incredibly important for children. It can give them a way to say, "you know, I need my smile person."

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely superb original story! I own two copies of this unusual and spectacularly illustrated picture book, Looking For Smile by Ellen Tarlow. This story reads like a classic, reminiscent of The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein & Now We Are Six by A. A. Milne. The book is exquisitely illustrated. Each time I re-read it, I get a lump in my throat at the same spot, and a flood of happiness at the very sweet resolution.

Rumor Goden does this in her chapter books, as does E. B. White. I look forward to more imagination and honesty from Ellen Tarlow in her future stories. She sets herself a high bar, but she is the kind of author with friends in the wings & treetops. I must replenish my stock of Looking For Smile so that I always have one to read aloud, and one to give away.

[Stephanie Sawicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I was confused about who Smile was, but then I realized that it was Bear's actual smile! I really liked how the book went from Bear being alone and being content with himself, but then one day it all changed and he needed to go out and find an actual friend to bring Smile back. I thought it was a great story on how friendship can change someone for the better, and in this story, a friend made Bear happy. I would use this in my future classroom to show the children that it's ok to be alone, to want to do certain things alone, and being alone can make someone happy. But everyone needs someone as a friend no matter who they are because friends are always there for each other and make each other smile.

[Kaylee Acton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for Smile is about Bear and Smile who are best friends. They do about everything together including eating breakfast, swimming, and eating honey. Everything was perfect until Bear woke up one day and could not find Smile. Bear looked everywhere but could not find Smile. Bear tried looking for Smile in all of their favorite places, but no luck. While Bear was sitting down, Bird found him and sat with him to help make him feel better. As they hummed a song, Bear felt different, and eventually, Smile came back. This was a very heart whelming book that should be read to all children. Its positivity is infectious. I would include this in my library and conversation in my classroom when talking about emotions such as happiness and sadness.

[Mirallegro, Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Looking for Smile" is a story about a bear and his smile. The book talked about times when Bear and Smile were together. One morning, Smile doesn't come, and Bear calls out for him. Bear turns blue as he cannot find Smile. He talks with Rabbit and Bird about different ways they can find Smile. When Bird starts to sing, the color begins to return to the pictures and Smile returns. I think this is a great story to read in the classroom because it shows students that it is ok to not be smiling all of the time. I feel kids have a lot of pressure to feel happy all the time and do not have any books that shows it is ok to feel sad some days because Smile will always find its way back to you. This is a great feel good story that I will definitely keep in mind for my future classroom.

[Ashlyn Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear and Smile is a sweet story about 2 'characters' that coexist together. Bear ends up losing his 'smile' in the story and tries to search for it. He is sad, but finds excitement within himself again when he meets Bird who sings while he hums, and finally smile comes back. This book would be perfect to read when talking about emotions in class and connecting sadness to the color blue. As a launch into this book, I could ask if students ever feel sad but don't know why? And maybe they can't seem to find their smile for some reason? connecting it to what makes them happy! Early childhood students especially are exploring and learning about their emotions and this text would help them understand it is okay to be sad sometimes and it won't last forever.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story about a bear and his smile. Bear and smile do everything together until one day Bear wakes up and his smile isn't there. He looks for it everywhere but can't find it. Bird helps Beard to find his smile by singing with him. This is a fantastic story which clearly shows how you can be happy most of the time but will still have days when you feel sad and the best thing to do is do things that make you happy and be with friends. The use of colour in the book really emphasises the bear's emotions making it very clear and easy to understand for children. I think this is a lovely story and I would definitely have it in KS1 and lower KS2 classrooms.

[Paige Serritella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for Smile was a story about bear that was always with smile, they did everything together until one day smile didn't show up one morning. I thought this story had good illustrations to show the different emotions that bear was feeling. When bear was happy, you could see the excitement and fun that they were having together. But when bear was sad, the illustrations turned blue and he looked like he wasn't having any fun since smile was gone. This book would be good in my classroom because children can understand how everyone can have a sad day and it's okay not to always be happy but what things we can do to turn those days around.

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every kid has tough times. During those times, parents know how important it is to acknowledge how it feels to be blue...while also offering understanding that down feelings will eventually morph into happier ones, given time and TLC. This hopeful and encouraging (yet believable) book does just that.

It's a book that's great for both kids going through something but also for those who maybe have not (yet)--because it opens up a way to talk about Big Feelings. (And maybe spend some sweet, huggy lap time, either way.)

This sweet but profound look at feeling blue will definitely appeal to lovers of Winnie-the-Pooh and other gently philosophical children's books.

Beautiful.