One Smile

  When Katie goes to the park with her mom one day, she notices a young man sitting on a bench looking sad and alone. Her bright smile diminishes the sadness he feels over losing his job and being unnoticed. Inspired to look for another job, he hurries down the street and notices a woman trying to change her tire. After he helps her, she wants to return his kindness, and gives an extra large tip to a waitress who served her lunch. The happy waitress decides to surprise her children with a new soccer ball and a picnic. Her children, happy for the outing, ask the new little girl next door to accompany them, and she brings her parents along with homemade brownies to join in the fun. These simple acts of kindness along with those that follow come full circle when the young man Katie first smiled at gets a job at an auto repair shop. Imagine his surprise when he finds the first car he works on belongs to Katie’s mom, and once again he is touched by the little girl’s smile. One Smile demonstrates that simple human kindness can go a long way as well as teach a heartwarming lesson of caring and compassion for others. Ms. Byrne’s vibrant watercolor illustrations augment the text, making this book one that will be shared and savored.  Reviewer Nancy Carty Lepri is the author of the children’s book, Tiny Angel.