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 realistic paintings are 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 teachers at Education Oasis
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