Smile Cry: Happy or sad, wailing or glad - how do you feel today?
What’s inside...
Smile Cry is a unique flip-over picture book that explores the wide range of emotions experienced by children through the lives of three characters - piglet, bunny, and cat. The book covers everyday scenarios that evoke different emotional responses, from joy to sadness. Illustrated in a whimsical style, the book is designed to help children understand and empathize with different feelings. The innovative 'flip book' format allows the 'Smile' story to be read from front to back and the 'Cry' story from back to front, meeting in the middle. Suitable for children aged 3 and up, Smile Cry is a heartfelt book that captures the essence of childhood emotions and is sure to be cherished for years to come.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do the characters in the story express their emotions, and which emotion do you relate to the most?
What makes you feel happy, and what makes you feel sad?
Can you think of a time when you felt like one of the characters in the book?
Why is it important to show our feelings?
How would you help a friend who feels sad?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their own feelings as they relate to the story, validating each emotion they share.
Use facial expressions and voice changes to mirror the emotions depicted in the book to help your child understand each sentiment deeply.
After reading the book, ask your child to draw a picture of a time when they felt happy or sad, discussing what was happening and how they coped.
Connect the story’s themes to real-life situations in your child’s experience to deepen their understanding.
End the discussion by emphasizing that all feelings are okay, and it’s important to share how we feel with trusted people.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Emotional Recognition
Explanation: In 'Smile Cry,' children explore a range of emotions through the characters' experiences, helping them to identify and name different feelings.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this skill to better communicate their own emotions and understand those of others, fostering empathy and social skills.
Example Lesson: Emotional Expression
Explanation: The book shows characters expressing their emotions in various ways, demonstrating that it’s healthy to show how we feel whether happy or sad.
Real-World Application: Children learn that it's okay to express their feelings and that doing so can help them cope with different situations.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: As characters in the book navigate changing emotions, they adapt and find joy or comfort, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that it’s normal to experience ups and downs, and that they can recover from setbacks.
Example Lesson: Empathy Development
Explanation: By seeing how various characters in the story feel and react differently, children learn to empathize with diverse emotional experiences.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be considerate and understanding of the feelings of others in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Handling Transitions
Explanation: The pivot from crying to smiling and vice versa in the book mirrors real-life situations where emotions are fluid and change rapidly.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to better manage and adapt to sudden emotional changes, enhancing their emotional regulation skills.