Looking for Smile
Written by Ellen Tarlow
Illustrated by Lauren Stringer
Published by Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster, 2020
“Bear and Smile are best of friends.
Always together, Bear and Smile.
But then one day, Smile doesn’t come…”
Buy this book at your local bookstore or online:
You can also buy it from Ellen’s favorite local bookstore in Brooklyn, NY, Greenlight Bookstore or in Woodstock, NY at The Golden Notebook.
Awards:
Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of 2020
Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award Pre-K-K
Bank Street College Best Children’s Books 2021 edition
Reviews
“A tenderhearted, life-affirming exploration of the depressive cycle through simple language and a rich visual vocabulary…. Invaluable in this moment and beyond.” -Kirkus (starred review
“Tarlow’s profound story doesn’t name Bear’s affliction directly, but children will relate to riding the ups and downs of everyday moods, which Stringer has expertly captured in the illustrations. In contrast to the colorful pages where Smile can be found, the pages with Bear’s Smile-less moments are rendered in shades of blue. This is a stunning and powerful book.” -Young Children (NAEYC)
“Together, Bear and Smile share everything…But one morning, Smile is absent. The vivid colors of each spread are gone, replaced with blue and gray, and the woods are dismal and empty. Then a cheerful red bird comes along and sings, causing Bear to hum along. As leaves swirl, their duet rises and rises into the sky until, finally, Smile arrives! ….this story will coax a smile to banish melancholy.” -Booklist
“This is a beautiful and satisfying story - a book that will reward many readings.” -The Gazette
Interviews
Mazza Artist Monthly Interview with Ellen Tarlow & Lauren Stringer
Illustrator Lauren Stringer talks about illustrating Looking for Smile at the Minnesota Book Festival
ReaderKidZ Interview with Ellen Tarlow
Guest Blog by Ellen Tarlow on Tara Lazar’s Writing for Kids (While Raising Them)
