Sharing a Smile

by Nicki Kramar, Ashley Evans (Illustrator)

In the spirit of Come With Me, this timely and charming tale about mask-wearing follows a little girl and her generous plan to find her own courage by helping those in her neighborhood find theirs.

In a changing world, little Sophie is feeling a bit worried. She loves being outside and playing with her friends in her neighborhood. But going outside lately means wearing a mask—something Sophie is still trying to understand. It makes her nervous when she wants to be brave. And after taking a closer look outside her window, watching her neighbors adjusting to this new normal, she realizes she isn’t the only one who feels a little scared.

Which gives Sophie an idea. With her grandpa’s help, she does something special for the people in her neighborhood. When Sophie sees her small acts of kindness spread, she realizes that with the help of friends in our communities, anyone can find their courage—and their smile.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Family, Friendship, Fiction, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 23, 2021

About the author

Nicki Kramar has been an active part of children's publishing for almost a decade. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Nicki now lives in New York City with her persnickety cat in an apartment overflowing with books.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not crying you're crying. What a rough time for kids (and us all).

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

To help his granddaughter become more comfortable with masks, a grandfather helps make masks that match the personality of people in the neighborhood.
The biggest problem I had was the illustrations of the Asian family had what appeared to be closed, slanted eyes. In this layout, and even on the cover, the grandfather (who is black), has closed eyes. The front cover shows them to be more of a slanted upside down U, but in the layout with the Asians, they all have straight, slanted eyes. I wish a different drawing decision had been made.

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice to read a book to help kids understand masking except a little confusing because all of the masking is happening outdoors.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

My child was two when COVID hit. The shutdowns and masks completely messed up her child development. She didn't bounce back until kindergarten! You're not sharing a smile when you're wearing a mask. Sweden's no shut down strategy worked. Our strategy failed. You can't play God and create a eutopia where no one ever gets sick or dies. I've lost more friends and family than I care to share, and I'm only in my thirties. God is going to take you when it's his timing. Of course, you don't need to be reckless. But people trying to control everything and thinking they can create this perfect world to live in drives me nuts.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great positive book about wearing masks.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is great book to help children with wearing masks and caring for others during a difficult times. It has beautiful illustrations and is very timely.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bright and bold, these pages address the idea of wearing masks and how to bring smiles even if they aren't directly seen.

This is a book set very much for current event s and today's time period, and addresses the 'weirdness' kids might find at the idea of everyone wearing masks. It does a good job at calming and soothing any strangeness about it. But that's only the beginning of this one.

Through colorful and vibrant illustrations, the joy and energy is kept high and slides right into the entire meaning behind this book. Whether or not masks are around, this one has a wonderful message, which never wears out. It's wonderful to bring joy to others, and this is something even young listeners can do.

A young girl wonders about the situation as she watches the world around her from her window, and then she sews masks with her father to spread around...ones printed fitting to each person and personality they are giving them to. Firstly, I loved the idea of the child and father sewing together, since this is a skill very often overlooked in today's world. Secondly, there is a lovely message of working at something with the sole purpose to give a little joy to others. This alone is a very inspiring message, timeless, and tends to be underrated in today's busy (and sometimes cold) world. And while these messages are being brought across, the joy and fun still stays at the front of this read.

It makes a nice read aloud for groups as well as for individual reading moments. The text is appropriate for the age group, describes people and scenes kids can relate to, and has a girl and father, who are simply a joy to read about.

I received a complimentary copy and found this one packed with happy thoughts.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie and her grandpa look out the window into their neighborhood and talk about how everyone is wearing masks to stay safe when they go outside. When they notice Sophie’s friend, Jenny, looking scared inside her house, Sophie has an idea. She and her grandpa sketch and sew, and soon they have made a mask for everyone in their neighborhood, each one reflecting something about their personality: a flowery mask for Mr. Landon, who likes to garden, a mask with butterflies on it for Ms. Diaz, who likes to watch the butterflies, etc. Soon everyone in the diverse neighborhood has a mask, even Jenny, who gives them a big smile.

This is a sweet, reassuring look at the current necessity to wear masks. It addresses the fear a young child may have about going outside in a time when fear is prevalent. Although there is no specific mention of Covid-19, readers will infer that the story takes place early or mid way through the pandemic. Confining the narrative to one about the neighborhood gives a sense of control, in that Sophie can do something to help her neighbors, who are a diverse bunch of Black, Brown, Asian and Latinx people. Acknowledging that smiles can’t be seen behind a mask, but that kindness can help break through, is a nice message. The digital art is uncluttered and portrays an urban neighborhood of houses close together, where kids ride bikes and neighbors wave to one another. Adults may have had it with Covid-19 references, but I think it’s useful to check in with kids about their fears, and this book is a way to do that.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book about wearing masks seems dated. This book is from the beginning period of the pandemic when people wore masks outside. Young Sophie discusses the importance of wearing a mask to stay safe with her grandfather. All the people in the neighborhood wear them but that doesn’t make Sophie any less anxious about this change in living among her neighbors. To help make this new part of everyone’s lives a little bit easier, Sophie and her grandpa make masks that match the personalities of their neighbors. For example, masks with butterflies for Ms. Diaz, who likes to watch butterflies outside her window, masks with big wheels for the kids who love to ride their bikes, and a mask with flowers for the neighbor gardener Mr. Landon.
Colorful illustrations accompany this story, where Sophie is a girl of color in a diverse neighborhood. Although the book doesn’t mention why the masks are worn other than to keep everyone safe, the text is simple. It could be appropriate for preschoolers or kindergartners in social-emotional lessons.
Written
AD+
Pre-Kindergarten

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple cute story of a young girl making and sharing cloth masks with people in her neighborhood. Ashley Evans illustrations show a very diverse community with many different ages and races. This is a great conversation starter as it is likely this school year there will be masks worn by many whether or not they chose to vaccinate.

I am quite pleased to see this nod to those who made and shared masks all last year. I was also happy to see a connection to Detroit as Nicki Kramar is from Detroit. Nods to New York and North Carolina when reading the bios of the author and illustrator, as well.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations bump this one from 1 to 2 stars for me. It's definitely not your typical picture book, and I won't be using it in story time. But, it's a nice beginning explanation for the need to wear masks to keep each other safe for the youngest readers. My biggest issue with this book is why on earth is everyone wearing masks when they are OUTSIDE and ALONE?? It makes no sense and is more likely to cause kids to not mask up when its actually needed because it gives them the impression that if they accept the need for masks they have to wear them 24/7, which is just not the case.

Yeah, beautiful illustrations but the book is a bit problematic.

[Hannah Lewczynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

The two main characters are a girl and her grandpa, and this book takes place when masks became mandatory. The book does a great job of capturing the uncertainty everyone felt when first being told to wear masks everywhere--even if you aren't a doctor or superhero. This book did an AMAZING job of explaining the importance of masks and this book would be a great book to give a kid who doesn't get it. The illustrations throughout are adorable and were done digitally. LOVE the thought behind this book!

[Abby Johnson]

Normalizing mask wearing for the win. Sophie misses playing with her friends and visiting her neighbors, but she knows that not everyone feels safe leaving their homes during the pandemic, so she makes masks specially designed for each different friend. Funny to be reading this just as Indiana has lifted their mask mandate, but this is a potentially useful title, especially if schools continue to require masks for students.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book that talks about mask wearing and encourages kids to wear theirs. This was a comprehensive look at why you should wear masks, who should wear masks, and even talks about cultures wearing masks even before the pandemic.
It was easy to read and I liked the pictures. Cute book, I would likely recommend it.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 3 out of 5]

SHARING A SMILE is a pandemic picture book about one little girl and masks faces everywhere. I think it well captures this major change in the lives of our little ones. A preschool audience will relate to this little girl's feelings and feel empowered by her solution. It is a simple story about the people in our community and how the pandemic and mask mandates have changed our interactions.

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I liked this book a lot, I kept thinking about how weird I would’ve thought it was if I read it 3 years ago (obviously the book didn’t exist then, so I guess it’s a moot point).
I love how thoughtful the little girl is in this book. I love that her Grandpa sews! I love that the illustrator clearly made a point to be inclusive.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, finally, I read my first book for children (or anyone) acknowledging the reality of the Covid pandemic and the wisdom of wearing masks.

FIVE STARS, just for the thought!

Below I'll add a little additional commenting, but it's subsidiary.... It was so wise to give children the chance of reading this picture book.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome picture book. it's about the pandemic. upbeat and easy to understand. eyeryone is wearing masks-not just super heroes and doctors and nurses. sophie and her Dad make masks for her neighbors that match their personalities. they walk around and hand them out. so sweet

[Sandy Xie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my 5yo. I thought it was a simple little story, then by the time we reached the last page I cried. It is very hard for everyone especially young children during this pandemic. This story resonates with us all. I definitely keep this book in our home library.

[Clementine · Rating 4 out of 5]

not me, reading this in january 2022 and thinking that everyone needs better masks than the homemade ones being handed out...

at any rate, this was very sweet, packed with emotional and social lessons. good for littles who are learning how to wear a mask to help protect others.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about the pandemic and mask-wearing.
Although many communities are stopping with masks now, it might still be helpful to read this book with kids so they understand why masks are worn and are prevalent in pandemic times. Also it will remind them of a historic time they lived through!

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A multigenerational story of generosity, a little girl and her grandfather sew masks that suit their personalities of their community friends.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sophie and her grandpa make masks for their neighbors.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Alicia (aliciasalwaysreading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the grandfather/granddaughter relationship presented & that grandpa is the one sewing. Also it’s refreshing to see POC doing those things.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars for this pandemic book

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet neighborhood story of our time.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the pandemic hits, Sophie and her grandfather find a creative and personalized way to show their community that they care about them.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie loves spending time with her neighbours, enjoying different things with them. When everyone has to wear masks to stay healthy, Sophie has an idea that she thinks will make everyone feel happy. Nicely illustrated.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie looks around and sees that everyone is wearing masks now, not just the Hara family down the street. She's sees Mr. Landon caring for his garden in a mask, the mail deliverer wears a mask, even the neighborhood children wear masks as they ride their bikes down the street. When she sees Jenny looking scared she comes up with a plan to reach out to her neighbors. She and her grandpa spend hours making specially decorated masks for each of the neighbors they saw outside. Then they head out to share the masks that help each person share a smile through the cute design on each mask. Evans's illustrations are the highlight of this reassuring book about reaching out to others during a difficult time. This would be a great book for helping children understand the importance of caring not only for oneself during the pandemic but also caring for others also.