Ruth Kaiser

I read the book The Smiley Book of Colors, by Ruth Kaiser. It is a children's easy reader picture book. The book is at the reading level for ages 3 and above. The book was published in 2012, so it is a new read for children and adults. I found this book at the Plymouth District Library in the new books display in the children's section.

The books main theme is that one can find smiles all around us and through everyday objects. The books shows many pictures of object where there can be a smiley face found somewhere in the object. The main thought the author wants the reader to take away is that there can be happiness found all around us and smiles in everything. The smiles can be found in interesting things, happy things, yucky things, and boring things. However, it is the viewers attitude that they take when viewing the object that determines whether or not they will be able to see the smile. This tells them that they must always take an approach to life that welcomes happiness. They also must remember to try and keep a smile on their face whenever possible.

The text of the book is simple and can easily be understood. There is not a lot of text on the pages, and the sentences are short. This prevents the reading from becoming tiresome and boring for the young reader. To go along with the text, there is plenty of color and detailed pictures to keep the reader interested. The author does a good job at keeping the reader wanting to turn the page to see what pictures and colors will be on the pages to follow. That is always one of the main goals of an author, to create page turning books and stories. I think the author accomplishes this for a young audience.

This book would be a great read for group or circle reading in the classroom. The teacher can hold the book and read as she tells the students to keep their eyes open and pealed to look for the smileys. She can have the students raise their hands if they find the smiley. She can then have them come up and point out the smiley to the rest of the class. Most of the smileys are seen at first glance. However, there are a few which even I had trouble seeing at first. You can also have the students go home and take pictures of smiley they find in their own objects around them and at home to bring in. The teacher can create a smiley board to hang the pictures on. This turn a simple read in a project that will get the students excited and remembering the point of the story. You can remind them that smiling and keeping a positive attitude is always important no matter where you are.

Lastly, children who have not learned or memorized their colors yet can read or view the book and learn a little more about their colors. The author designates a different color for each page. She then fills the page with pictures of smileys in that specific color. This allows children to see what each colors looks like and different objects that can have that color. Overall, the book is a simple yet good picture book for young readers. It can also be used in multiple different ways.… (mer)

This little book is a tool for parents. It doesn't just teach about colors - but it also helps to teach children to LOOK for the good around them beginning by teaching them to look for SMILES in what they see. Each page of the book is devoted to a color - take green - the pictures show an apple with two seed eyes and a fold in the skin & fruit becomes the smile. It also shows a recycle bin with 2 holes for cell phones & inkjet cartridges for eyes and a line underneath forming a smile. Each of the pages takes everyday items that LOOK like a smile with eyes and a mouth. You might see a tractor, fruit, a zipper and two snaps, two bolts and a split in wood, and even the old standard - a picture in the clouds.

The ultimate value in this book is that it TEACHES your children to look for the good in life. Instead of thinking ICK or YUCK your child learns to think that it might be GOOD, to TRY new things and give it a CHANCE.

This little book should be in every library - at home, school and every city library. It makes a great birthday gift - or for just because.… (mer)