One Smile

by Cindy McKinley

Book Overview

Even the smallest acts of kindness can powerfully impact the lives of others. This truth is beautifully demonstrated as we follow the far-reaching effects of young Katie's innocent smile. With this... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0935699236
• ISBN13: 9780935699234
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Illumination Arts Publishing Company
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.7" x 11.1"
• Age Range: 4 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

Smile at Someone Today!

A warm smile when you're feeling down works wonders. A little girl's friendly smile starts the pay-it-forward story of how a tiny act of kindness can work wonders throughout a community. Each character is affected by the actions of someone who has been influenced by someone else's small act, and the tale cycles back on itself in a satisfying way. My class of 1st and 2nd graders got the message loud and clear and have often referred back to One Smile when we have encountered similar situations in other books. Read the book and try smiling broadly at the next person you meet; it really works!

"Pay it forward"

There is a movement in the land that emphasizes "random acts of kindness". Much like the proverbial pebble thrown into still water, creating a series of ripples, any thoughtful gesture can have an effect on those around us. This is exactly what happens in One Smile, as a joyful little girl smiles at a discouraged young man sitting on a park bench. Little does the child know that her beatific smile will inspire the young man to start looking for a job. And so the story goes, the young man stopping to help a stranded motorist, the motorist leaving an extra tip for the waitress, the waitress taking her children on a picnic with the extra money, and so on. Everything comes full circle as the girl is able to attend her grandfather's birthday party. Her mother's car is ready for the birthday trip thanks to the young man at the garage who fixed it. And who might that now-employed young man be? Exactly. Using a simple story to illustrate a profound philosophy, the author plants a thought in the minds of young readers who can readily visualize the effect of this little girl's smile as she walks through the park with her mother. The author: "We often have no idea how our generous actions affect those around us." The illustrations are rich, color-saturated images of everyday events, memorable because of the upbeat nature of the story. The illustrator: "I hope my paintings can offer a moment of transcendence, a place of light and beauty." Children are naturally enthusiastic and One Smile affords parents an opportunity to reinforce this positive behavior. Concept and artwork are a winning combination in this uplifting children's book. The writing carries a clear message; combined with the brilliant watercolors, One Smile is an inspirational reading experience for youngsters. Coordinated with The Pay It Forward Foundation, the book includes a page of thoughtful questions for children to consider, relating positive actions to consequences, remembering each day to "pay it forward". Luan Gaines/2005.

Gorgeous New Children's Book

Katie is a happy young girl who is skipping through the park one morning with her Mother, when she meets up with an unhappy young man. She gives him a bright smile, and soon the young man is smiling as well. As the day goes on, the young man fixes a woman's flat tire, and she smiles, then leaves an extra big tip for the waitress at a restaurant, and she smiles, and so on and so on. Proving that ONE SMILE can go a very long way. I love reading children's books that really put a big smile on your face, and that's what Cindy McKinley's ONE SMILE did for me. Her lyrical prose is delightful, while the gorgeous watercolor illustrations by Mary Gregg Byrne couldn't be more breathtaking. As a whole, the book puts a huge grin upon your face, and keeps it there until the end of the day. This is a lovely book that should be in the home library of all book lovers. Erika Sorocco Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

Educator Favorite

What can one smile do? Quite a lot as we find out in this noteworthy tale. The story begins with Katie walking with her mother through the park. She thoughtfully bestows a bright smile on a forlorn, out-of-work young man sitting on a park bench. It inspires the young man to begin looking for a new job. While doing so, he sees a woman whose car has a flat tire. He changes the tire for her. She, in turn, leaves a large tip for a waitress. This continues on until, eventually, the good feelings inspired by Katie's smile comes back to her and her mother. The text is well-written and flows smoothly. The themes of kindness and interconnectedness shine through on each page. The illustrations are exceptional. The paintings are realistic and done in vibrant colors. Each double-page spread captures perfectly the mood and atmosphere of the story and invites the reader into the scene. Without lapsing into moralizing, One Smile shows readers that small acts of kindness, when sent out into the world, can have profound and lasting effects. Reviewed by the Education Oasis Staff (KJW).

Highly recommended!

One simple little smile, sometimes given without any thought at all, can start a ripple of happiness that will go on forever. This is the unmistakable truth that is so clearly authenticated in One Smile. This story is about little Katie who was happily skipping along in the park one sunny morning with her mother. They were hurrying to catch a bus because their van was in the shop for repairs. As Katie and her mother briskly walked past a park bench, Katie spied a young man sitting there who looked very sad. Katie had no way of knowing it, but the young man had just lost his job. Quick as a wink, she flashed him a brilliant smile. That beautiful smile, so freely given by this happy little child, seemed to light up his heart. Other people had passed him that morning without even noticing him; therefore, Katie's innocent smile, which was so unexpected, became his inspiration to start looking for a job. As the author carries us through the story, we see many acts of kindness unfold as others continue what Katie's innocent smile began. The young man stops to help a woman by fixing her flat tire. Later, when this same woman finished her lunch, she left an extra large tip for the waitress. And so it went as Katie's smile moved on and on in many different ways, and eventually even made its way back to help Katie in the story's heart-warming ending. Thus we see that all it really takes to change the world is One Smile. ***** I highly recommend this book. It is very well written and the illustrations are vivid and beautiful. In the back of the book the author has included a page that will help families think about things they can do together to help others. ***** Reviewed by Ruth Wilson.