By Satoshi Kitamura (author) , Satoshi Kitamura (illustrator)
"A beaming smile of a picture book by a superstar creator"
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
Hardback Print on Demand / Special Order £12.99 £11.69
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Children will understand absolutely the thrill the young boy in this story feels as he sets out to choose and buy something for himself, a collection of coins held tightly in his hand. And there’s so much to choose from in this busy street: there’s a music shop, a book stall, a toyshop, not to mention stalls selling a variety of delicious food.
He’s almost decided when disaster strikes and the money is knocked from his hand, disappearing down a drain. Dejected – so much so that the street itself turns grey – he finds a shop that might help. It’s called Smile – could he afford one little smile with the coin he has left?
Adult readers will realise the shop is a photographers, and the boy leaves with a photo and smile to take back out into the street, now full of colour again, a smile he can exchange for many more.
Satoshi Kitamura is one of the world’s very best picture book creators and this story, seemingly so simple, shows us so much about the world and what really matters. It’s also beautifully composed and illustrated, giving readers of all ages so much to discover.
Award-winning artist Satoshi Kitamura delivers the powerful message that kindness is more important than money. Nominated for the Greenaway Medal 2021.
Read the full description
Celebrate the power of a smile in this deceptively simple story set in a multi-ethnic market. A small boy is planning how to spend his first ever pocket money when disaster strikes and he's left with only one coin. His day seems to be ruined until he sees a Smile Shop. In a surprise ending, the world is put to rights and suddenly the whole world is smiling again!
Praise for Hat Tricks;
'A masterfully crafted story for tots, impeccable in its apparent simplicity, yet with all the elements of tension, resolution and surprise needed in a good story. Perfection!' Carousel
'Rhythm, rhyme, tongue-twisters and a colourful explosion of animals are all delivered with a magical flourish. A perfect book for sharing!' Alison Brumwell, Storytime Prize judge
Satoshi Kitamura was born in 1956 in Tokyo. He says that when he was young he read comics and admits that these have had a great influence on his style. He says he was also influenced by anything visual from a tin of sardines to the fine art of the East and the West. He was not trained as an artist, but at the age of 19 began to do commercial work. From 1976-1979 he worked as a commercial artist in Japan, working as an illustrator for adverts and magazines. He moved to London in 1979 and worked mainly at designing greeting cards. He started illustrating for Andersen Press in 1981 after he had an exhibition of his work at the Neal Street Gallery in Covent Garden.
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The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Smile Shop and determined it is suitable for children aged 3-6 years old
The Smile Shop features in the following genres: Featured Books for 5+ readers, Recommendations, Bedtime Stories for Children, Picture storybooks, Children’s picture books, Children’s: picture books, activity books, early learning concepts, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Books of the Month, Featured Books for 3+ readers, Graphic Novels & Comics, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Star Books
Paperback, Hardback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Smile Shop was written by Satoshi Kitamura and published by Scallywag Press
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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