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One Smile
Even the smallest acts of kindness can powerfully impact the lives of others. This truth is beautifully demonstrated as we follow the far-reaching effects of young Katie's innocent smile.
With this simple gesture, she ignites a circle of warmth that flows from person to person, touching the hearts and lives of people she may never even meet.
Cindy McKinley's enchanting story, brought to life by Mary Gregg Byrne's exquisite watercolor illustrations, will warm your heart with its timeless message. Children and adults alike will be inspired to pass One Smile on to everyone they meet.
With this simple gesture, she ignites a circle of warmth that flows from person to person, touching the hearts and lives of people she may never even meet.
Cindy McKinley's enchanting story, brought to life by Mary Gregg Byrne's exquisite watercolor illustrations, will warm your heart with its timeless message. Children and adults alike will be inspired to pass One Smile on to everyone they meet.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
5 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 4, 2011
This book proves that a smile goes a long way! I have always believed that the world would be a better place if we could all take the time to do one helpful, non selfish thing every day. This story follows different people and family members as they spread their cheer and happiness to others and it continues to live on throughout the text. I really like stories that can remind children how to behave and I believe reading stories that have good morals like this can help encourage children to smile and help others without thinking twice or expecting something in return. School and teaching to me should help children not only educationally, but realistically as well and this is one of those stories that can do that. This story could be used in many age levels and even when you notice a class or group of students not getting along.
April 7, 2011
This book shows how simple acts of kindness can make huge impacts, as this is demonstrated by the little girl and main character in this book. It is a great read that teaches the lesson to spread acts of kindness. The illustrations are very realistic and detailed.
February 14, 2021
This is a delightful book to teach compassion! The young girl smiles at a man in the morning. Because of that, he is nicer to the next person he sees, and so on. It makes everyone's day!
June 27, 2015
The text, "One Smile" tells the story of how one young girl, Katie's, smile positively affects the mood as well as the lives of several, different individuals. This story shows the powerful affect that one small act of kindness can have on another person's life as well as the chain of reaction that can follow. This story begins with Katie engaging in her daily schedule, as she walks to the bus one morning. On her walk, Katie brightly smiles at a stranger sitting on a nearby bench, who has recently lost his job and is feeling discouraged and lost. It is the affect and power of Katie's smile towards this man, her expression of such a very simple act of kindness, that encourages him to try and find a new job and to become hopeful. Then throughout the day, a positive chain of events ensue. The young man then helps a woman change her tire, and this woman then feels hopeful and makes a waitress's day by leaving her a large tip, and then the chain of events continues, as each person affected by the small act of kindness continues to lead to more acts of kindness that ultimately result in positively enhancing each person's lives in a unique way. This book focuses on people experiencing and receiving as well as engaging in small acts of kindness to people of different races and ages until the act makes a full, positive circle and the young girl reconnects with the previously homeless man as he obtains a job as a mechanic and repairs her mother's car so that they can attend a family birthday party.
In general, this text is an excellent choice for my text set as I find that it really shows the benefits that come with exhibiting and engaging in small acts of kindness, even something so small as smiling at another person. This text really shows how people can spread kindness to anyone, even a stranger that they see on the street, and that kindness has a positive chain reaction only leading to more happiness and positive actions throughout the day. I find that this book would be great to use to show several examples of small, simple acts of kindness so that these young children, Kindergarteners, can grasp the concept more fully and then they themselves can come up with and originate new ideas of what small acts of kindness they can engage in. I find that a great activity to use with this text is to have the children come up with a few examples of small acts of kindness on their own and they their goal for the week is to engage in these acts of kindness throughout each day.
In general, this text is an excellent choice for my text set as I find that it really shows the benefits that come with exhibiting and engaging in small acts of kindness, even something so small as smiling at another person. This text really shows how people can spread kindness to anyone, even a stranger that they see on the street, and that kindness has a positive chain reaction only leading to more happiness and positive actions throughout the day. I find that this book would be great to use to show several examples of small, simple acts of kindness so that these young children, Kindergarteners, can grasp the concept more fully and then they themselves can come up with and originate new ideas of what small acts of kindness they can engage in. I find that a great activity to use with this text is to have the children come up with a few examples of small acts of kindness on their own and they their goal for the week is to engage in these acts of kindness throughout each day.
February 28, 2020
Summary: On a walk with her mother, Katie sees a sad man on a bench and she takes a second to smile at him. Little did she know, the young man she smiled at had just lost his job and it is because of her smile that inspired him to start looking for a new job. On his journey to find a new job, he sees a women who needs help changing a tire, he offers to help. After this each person does a random act of kindness for someone else, which starts a chain reaction and it was all because of Katie's one smile.
Theme: The theme of this book is positivity and doing random acts of kindness.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Personal Response: This book made my heart so happy. It made me think about my actions and how they effect other people in ways we may not know. My mom read this book to me growing up and because of this book, I would take one day out of my week in high school to sit with students who were sitting alone at lunch. Although a tiny act, this book makes you realize you never know what impact you may have on someone.
Why I recommend: I think every single classroom should read this book to their students. It is so important to understand the effect of your actions in a good way and bad way. I think this book can plant a small seed in children's minds about how treating others can have a significant impact. This book can work for all ages but I think the target would be 1st-4th grade. I ultimately recommend this book because it changed how I think and act and think it can do the same for many other students.
Theme: The theme of this book is positivity and doing random acts of kindness.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Personal Response: This book made my heart so happy. It made me think about my actions and how they effect other people in ways we may not know. My mom read this book to me growing up and because of this book, I would take one day out of my week in high school to sit with students who were sitting alone at lunch. Although a tiny act, this book makes you realize you never know what impact you may have on someone.
Why I recommend: I think every single classroom should read this book to their students. It is so important to understand the effect of your actions in a good way and bad way. I think this book can plant a small seed in children's minds about how treating others can have a significant impact. This book can work for all ages but I think the target would be 1st-4th grade. I ultimately recommend this book because it changed how I think and act and think it can do the same for many other students.
February 16, 2014
This is a lovely story that shows how kind acts can not only help others, but also be returned. The concept of karma is depicted within the pages, as one good turn begets another and the entire story comes full circle. The story is very similar to the story Because Amelia Smiled and both show how small acts of kindness matter.
The illustrations are colorful and very expressive and complement the story nicely. We also really enjoyed reading the back pages, which offer 'Thoughtful Questions to Ponder With Your Family" as well as information about the Pay It Forward Foundation (see http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org) We also tackled the challenge, which asks the family to work together to think of 20 simple acts of kindness.
Overall, I thought this was a very heartwarming story and really shows how little acts of kindness can make a person's day. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
The illustrations are colorful and very expressive and complement the story nicely. We also really enjoyed reading the back pages, which offer 'Thoughtful Questions to Ponder With Your Family" as well as information about the Pay It Forward Foundation (see http://www.payitforwardfoundation.org) We also tackled the challenge, which asks the family to work together to think of 20 simple acts of kindness.
Overall, I thought this was a very heartwarming story and really shows how little acts of kindness can make a person's day. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
December 10, 2014
This book was amazing, the way one girl's smile touched a man's heart and brought kindness to the world. This book is a great book to read to a class to show what kindness is about and helping others.
I had looked at the cover thinking that this was going to be the worst book a reader could come upon. But this book was mind-sucking, the way it turned a lesson into a full fiction story. It gave facts without exactly saying it and this book was- well, I don't really know what to say.
The illustrations were amazing. The illustrator used watercolors with water to create a beautiful painting that readers will be shocked about. Part of the reason I read this book was because of the illustration on the cover. It was like a real smile lighting up my body and sharing it to the world.
Overall, this book was amazing and I look forward to reading more books by McKinley.
One Smile
Cindy McKinley
Rating: 4.49
Note: This book is awesome!
I had looked at the cover thinking that this was going to be the worst book a reader could come upon. But this book was mind-sucking, the way it turned a lesson into a full fiction story. It gave facts without exactly saying it and this book was- well, I don't really know what to say.
The illustrations were amazing. The illustrator used watercolors with water to create a beautiful painting that readers will be shocked about. Part of the reason I read this book was because of the illustration on the cover. It was like a real smile lighting up my body and sharing it to the world.
Overall, this book was amazing and I look forward to reading more books by McKinley.
One Smile
Cindy McKinley
Rating: 4.49
Note: This book is awesome!
July 29, 2009
Simple gestures, rippling kindness and true smiles are the stars of this inspiring invitation to share some brightness and chance a wave of well-being.
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
Other books mentioned:
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed<
You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.
Other books mentioned:
Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed<
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August 5, 2014This is a great companion read to How Full is Your Bucket? It is a good introduction to a discussion on kindness and the ripples that a simple act of kindness can generate.
At the back of the book, readers are introduced to the Pay It Forward Foundation, which was established to educate and inspire young students to realize that they can change the world. "You don't need much to change the entire world for the better. You can start with the most ordinary ingredients. You can start with the world you've got."
At the back of the book, readers are introduced to the Pay It Forward Foundation, which was established to educate and inspire young students to realize that they can change the world. "You don't need much to change the entire world for the better. You can start with the most ordinary ingredients. You can start with the world you've got."
July 21, 2021
This is another book I bought very quickly when I became a school librarian and found it wasn't in our collection. This book was a gift to my daughter over ten years ago, and it very quickly became a family favorite. Since then, I've used it for character lesson with each class I taught both in the classroom and as a librarian. The message of this book is one that I believe everyone needs to hear again and again. One simple kindness, One Smile, can change the world.
Read this book!
Read this book!
April 12, 2011
This book shows how even the smallest act of kindness can go so far. It gives examples of things to do in the community that would be nice. Very encouraging. This would be good to have the students do an activity on and think about something they can do in their communities that would be beneficial.
May 27, 2016
I'm reading "Each Kindness" to the upper elementary kids, but needed something with a happier ending for the primary grades. One Smile is a perfect example of a little action setting off a chain reaction: a "pay it forward" with emotions. Very appropriate for K-2.
August 23, 2011
great for cause/effect!!
Reminds me of insurance commerical where one nice act leads to another
great for building community!!
Reminds me of insurance commerical where one nice act leads to another
great for building community!!
October 3, 2011
One smile can make all the difference! Share a smile today and pay it forward. Love the concept and the story that comes full circle.
July 21, 2016
Sweet story about how a smile can change a person's day and become contagious.
August 20, 2017
This is a nice way to help young people understand that their actions have effects going forward. The story is sweet, but overly so. The gift of a smile can be a widespread blessing.
January 27, 2018
This book shares a great message that you never know who you can make a positive impact on! Great book to share with kids.
May 1, 2018
Adorable picture book about the power of one smile to make a difference far beyond one person.
June 4, 2019
Being Kind and how it can have a chain reaction to others
March 10, 2022
Genre: contemporary realistic fiction, grades 1-3
This book is a really good lesson for children about how a little kindness can go a long way. It suffers from having the situation be a little TOO perfect, and it's important to remind children that this is a fictional story and not real life. However, the lesson still stands that people are effected by your actions in a positive way even if you don't realize it! This book could be a great way to boost certain students' self esteem. The illustrations are another big draw to this book, as they are incredible. Overall, this is a great book to include in your classroom library!
This book is a really good lesson for children about how a little kindness can go a long way. It suffers from having the situation be a little TOO perfect, and it's important to remind children that this is a fictional story and not real life. However, the lesson still stands that people are effected by your actions in a positive way even if you don't realize it! This book could be a great way to boost certain students' self esteem. The illustrations are another big draw to this book, as they are incredible. Overall, this is a great book to include in your classroom library!
March 4, 2023
Reread a childhood favorite and still love it! A sweet story with a wonderful message.
January 5, 2017
charming with the circle of hope and love that one smile begins
August 4, 2016
Interlibrary Loan, but from where? C. Lit PZ7
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews