The Smile Shop

By Satoshi Kitamura

A boy loses his money but discovers a shop where smiles are for sale. Can a smile change his day?

3.6/5 Goodreads · 255 ratings

32 pages

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

A young boy, eager to spend his saved pocket money, faces disappointment when he loses it at the market. Amidst his despair, he stumbles upon the Smile Shop. Can a simple smile from a kind shopkeeper turn his day around? This heartwarming tale explores the power of human connection and the value of a shared smile, even in challenging times. Discover how a small act of kindness can transform a moment of loss into one of joy and community.

From the publisher

Acclaimed author-illustrator Satoshi Kitamura (Hat Tricks) celebrates human connection and community in this hopeful story about a boy, a benevolent shopkeeper, and a shared smile.

“Stylistically reminiscent of Uri Shulevitz with a dash of Tomie dePaola…. A satisfyingly–and deceptively–simple tale about sincere pleasures in hectic times.” –Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

A small boy has saved all his pocket money, and today’s the day he’ll buy something special just for himself!

There’s lots to see and smell at the market, from tasty pies to colorful toys and noisy instruments. But before he can even make up his mind, disaster strikes and he loses his money down a drain. Oh no! But wait, what’s this? A store called the Smile Shop? Could he buy a smile? A small one, perhaps, to cheer himself?

Featuring charming, classic illustrations reminiscent of Maurice Sendak and Tomie dePaola, Satoshi Kitamura’s The Smile Shop is an absorbing story of community, self-worth, and the effect of a smile shared between two people. An apt parable for a time when smiles and expressions of warmth are in high demand.

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