The Smile Shop

K-Gr 2–A little boy has enough money saved to go shopping for the first time. But what should he spend it on? The little boy is clad in blue, save for a bright red scarf. The scenery behind him is muted in color and makes the boy stand out. On his walk, he sees several things that catch his eye: apple pies, clocks, an expensive little boat, even a unique-looking horn. While the boy is window shopping, a child on a skateboard bumps into him and all the money, except one coin, goes down the gutter drain. Thinking that he can no longer buy anything, he hangs his head and then looks up and sees a shop called Smile. Inside, the boy asks if he can buy a smile with his one small coin. The shopkeeper, who is Black, tells him, “A smile is really only something you can exchange and share!” The shopkeeper offers a wide grin and the boy responds in kind. Illustrations are done in pen, ink, watercolor, and gouache. Richard Scarry–like spreads where the boy is happily window shopping, are orange-tinged and filled with busy shoppers and vendors. In the scene where he loses his money, the background is in gray instead, and the boy is the only point of color. Kitamura’s expressive faces and loose line will draw readers in.