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Guess How Much I Love You
I Love It When You Smile
From the bestselling author of Guess How Much I Love You , Sam McBratney When Little Roo wakes up, he just feels grumpy. His mother tries everything to make him feel better, but nothing she does makes any difference. Until…she finds the perfect hole. How will a deep, wide, and muddy-at-the-bottom hole make Little Roo smile? Well, Mom always knows best! From Sam McBratney and Charles Fuge comes a story perfect for parent and child story time that will guarantee a smile and a laugh from even the grumpiest reader.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published March 14, 2006
10 people are currently reading
839 people want to read
About the author
Sam McBratney
247 books677 followersThe 1943 born Northern Ireland native started writing children's books when he was a teacher in his thirties, with the aim of helping out students who had trouble reading. But he continued writing for a more-personal reason: "the act of imagining simply makes me feel good," he says. The fifty-seventh book of Sam McBratney's career, and his first book with Candlewick Press, was the much-loved GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, which has sold an astonishing 15 million copies worldwide, and is available in 37 languages. "This is not the sort of thing you expect when most of your books have been remaindered," the author admits. "But, as the frog trapped in the milk discovered, if you keep going, sometimes you find yourself walking on cream cheese."
Where does Sam McBratney get his inspiration? "I told my children stories when they were young," he says, "so when I write I try to think of what they would have liked." But there may be another source guiding his writing as well. The author's father--who worked as a type compositor with the BELFAST TELEGRAPH, and whose favorite books were westerns--is the person Sam McBratney credits for giving him his love of the English language. "Most of my picture books--GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, JUST ONE!, and JUST YOU AND ME--explore the relationship between a big one and a wee one," the author notes. "The big one is not called the father in the stories, but that's what he is. Although my dad died before I became a writer, the father in my stories has a voice and a presence that he would have recognized and understood."
In addition to authoring many books for children, Sam McBratney wrote radio plays for adults and a prize-winning collection of short stories. He received a degree in history and political science from Trinity College, Dublin, and worked for many years as a teacher.
Where does Sam McBratney get his inspiration? "I told my children stories when they were young," he says, "so when I write I try to think of what they would have liked." But there may be another source guiding his writing as well. The author's father--who worked as a type compositor with the BELFAST TELEGRAPH, and whose favorite books were westerns--is the person Sam McBratney credits for giving him his love of the English language. "Most of my picture books--GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, JUST ONE!, and JUST YOU AND ME--explore the relationship between a big one and a wee one," the author notes. "The big one is not called the father in the stories, but that's what he is. Although my dad died before I became a writer, the father in my stories has a voice and a presence that he would have recognized and understood."
In addition to authoring many books for children, Sam McBratney wrote radio plays for adults and a prize-winning collection of short stories. He received a degree in history and political science from Trinity College, Dublin, and worked for many years as a teacher.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
January 29, 2015
By the author of the classic Guess How Much I Love You, this was the book I chose this month for my sometimes pouty 4 year old granddaughter, who loves Kangaroos. My 7 year old grandson loved that he could read it to her ( after a once through for a few tricky words) and enjoyed the story too.I love it when they both smile. 4 stars
September 26, 2016
having spent my whole entire life plagued by the smile police I am against trying to make people smile. That goes double for children who have little power to choose their own routines. By all means teach them to be polite and positively reinforce smiling and friendliness but the idea of trying to "make" someone smile send shivers down my spine. I hate it most when guys do it but in fact I don;t want anyone to do it. Sometimes a bad mood just needs to run its course, or maybe you do need cheering up but not by someone demanding a smile from you and constantly checking you for responses. I felt really sad for Little Roo (but more for the dozens of kids and some adults who get this treatment from well-meaning but disrespectful folks).
It goes with the positivity police on Facebook. Just DON'T tell me how to feel and how to be, politeness is one thing but forcing hegemonic happiness is another.
That said the bright colours and cute, lively pictures (especially the ones with mud) do attract children. I like a silly mum in a story because too often mums are portrayed as diametrically opposed to fun. So despite the excessive cuteness and positivity the book had some things going for it. I suppose I look like a big grinch now for not liking it more ;)
It goes with the positivity police on Facebook. Just DON'T tell me how to feel and how to be, politeness is one thing but forcing hegemonic happiness is another.
That said the bright colours and cute, lively pictures (especially the ones with mud) do attract children. I like a silly mum in a story because too often mums are portrayed as diametrically opposed to fun. So despite the excessive cuteness and positivity the book had some things going for it. I suppose I look like a big grinch now for not liking it more ;)
December 18, 2019
We went to a special presentation at our local library where somebody brought in a wallaby, and afterward L (5) wanted to bring home this kangaroo book to read. I wasn't particularly impressed with the story, although it was cute enough. I think every parent has had the experience of trying to coax a smile out of a grumpy child, so this was somewhat relatable if not a story I think will be particularly memorable. I did think the illustrations were pretty adorable.
June 3, 2018
This book is about a boy kangaroo who woke up grumpy and refused to smile his mom tried everything to get him to smile but it didn't work so finally she takes him to a mud puddle and jumps in he had no choice but to smile bevause they were all covered in mud
November 12, 2019
I imagine reading this with a young child would be very fulfilling but since I read it alone, I can only assume. I think this would be perfect to read to be cousins so despite my 3 star enjoyment, 4 stars it is!
October 29, 2021
I think this book is cute, when the little kangaroo woke up grumpy and won't smile, his mother did not get frustrated or upset with him, instead she thinks of all the things that he loved and tried to make him smile. And she was very patient with him and didn't just give up.
June 30, 2017
My copy is missing pages. Very cute pictures!
March 10, 2019
Story about a little Kangaroo who is feeling a bit cranky and his mother that's just trying to get him to smile for her.
April 11, 2019
Nice book from the author of Guess How Much I Love You.
November 17, 2019
I can't read it why
February 21, 2020
Love is always important.
September 15, 2020
Lovely little picture book. Beautiful mother/son relationship.
April 10, 2021
This book is sure to make you smile!
April 26, 2021
A young kangaroo is feeling grumpy, but ends up smiling when, in her attempt to cheer him up, his mom acciendentally hops into a muddy pit and
August 1, 2022
Adorable
goes to show, a mom will try anything to make there kid happy
goes to show, a mom will try anything to make there kid happy
November 3, 2022
Absolutely gorgeous illustrations and a sweet story about a mom trying to help her little one get over a bad mood. A great group read aloud.
January 19, 2023
Wonderful story and beautifully illustrated. We read the afrikaans translation.
February 12, 2024
I think this book is for children. The key topic is to show that even when you’re having a good day, your day can get better. In this story Roo the Kangaroo didn’t want to smile even though his mom kept trying to make him smile. Eventually he and his mom both fell into mud. Roo tried not to smile but he busted out a huge smile. I rate this story a 5/5 because Roo wasn’t smiling at first then his mom changed that and made him smile. It showed that bad days can become good days in the matter of seconds.
October 3, 2024
Watch a readaloud of
I LOVE IT WHEN YOU SMILE
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFU8n2mB/
I LOVE IT WHEN YOU SMILE
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFU8n2mB/
February 15, 2017
This is a fun book to read for any occasion, but especially if you have a grumpy youngster on your hands! Even the youngest audience was captivated with this one as I did voices and changed my tone as I read. No matter what book you're reading, remember to make it fun for the kiddos!
August 29, 2013
"It's Lovely When You Smile" is a colourful and exciting short story book suitable for young children. It could be used as a class story time book or as an independent reading book for more advanced Key Stage 1 readers.
Little Roo is having a grumpy day despite the beautiful sunshine and the presence of his loving mother, she tries her best to get Roo to just smile: bouncing him in the air; sneaking up on him; throwing leaves around him. Nothing seems to work. Mum then decides that it is time for breakfast. Mum tucks Little Roo in her pouch and joyfully hops along to find some food. Oblivious to Roo's warnings of an approaching mud poo Mum and Roo slip, slide and slop straight into it, covering themselves in brown mucky mud! But is it enough to make Roo smile? Roo takes one look at his muddy Mum and SMILES! Mum is overjoyed to see her little Kangaroo smile as she proclaims, "See! It's lovely when you smile!"
Sam McBratney and Charles Fuge have created a bright and enjoyable story book. They have used evinces such as suspense, alliteration and onomatopoeia to make the story sound exciting when being read aloud. McBratney and Fuge have also used bold and italic print in specific areas of the story to make the writing on the page look different and to promote awareness of speech and adjectives.
The beautiful illustrations and colours make this a lovely book. The relationship between Roo and his Mum also makes children think about their own relationship with their mums or dads and what their parents do that make them smile.
Little Roo is having a grumpy day despite the beautiful sunshine and the presence of his loving mother, she tries her best to get Roo to just smile: bouncing him in the air; sneaking up on him; throwing leaves around him. Nothing seems to work. Mum then decides that it is time for breakfast. Mum tucks Little Roo in her pouch and joyfully hops along to find some food. Oblivious to Roo's warnings of an approaching mud poo Mum and Roo slip, slide and slop straight into it, covering themselves in brown mucky mud! But is it enough to make Roo smile? Roo takes one look at his muddy Mum and SMILES! Mum is overjoyed to see her little Kangaroo smile as she proclaims, "See! It's lovely when you smile!"
Sam McBratney and Charles Fuge have created a bright and enjoyable story book. They have used evinces such as suspense, alliteration and onomatopoeia to make the story sound exciting when being read aloud. McBratney and Fuge have also used bold and italic print in specific areas of the story to make the writing on the page look different and to promote awareness of speech and adjectives.
The beautiful illustrations and colours make this a lovely book. The relationship between Roo and his Mum also makes children think about their own relationship with their mums or dads and what their parents do that make them smile.
November 17, 2013
It’s lovely when your child smiles. This is one of my 2-almost-3-year-old’s favourite bedtime stories at the moment.
The story is about Roo the child Kangaroo who is grumpy and his mother is trying to get him to smile. But he doesn’t, not until the end of the story of course.
The pictures are quality throughout and always contain Roo and his mum, plus a duck, mouse, and a bee who just like following them around.
My daughter likes to pretend she doesn’t want to smile throughout too, until the end when she does her fake smile – screwing up her eyes and lips to make a smile. It is very funny.
Then she will read the story on her own, mixing her own words with the bits she can remember from the book.
It’s enough to make you smile.
The story is about Roo the child Kangaroo who is grumpy and his mother is trying to get him to smile. But he doesn’t, not until the end of the story of course.
The pictures are quality throughout and always contain Roo and his mum, plus a duck, mouse, and a bee who just like following them around.
My daughter likes to pretend she doesn’t want to smile throughout too, until the end when she does her fake smile – screwing up her eyes and lips to make a smile. It is very funny.
Then she will read the story on her own, mixing her own words with the bits she can remember from the book.
It’s enough to make you smile.
December 2, 2007
Written Sam McBratney, illustrated by Charles Fuge. Published by Harper Collins Publishers, copyright 2001.
Grade level: 1st or 2nd
When baby Roo wakes up one morning, he is in a bad mood and just plain grumpy. His mother tries everything to get him to smile, but nothing works. She tries and tries until a mud pit gets Roo to finally crack a smile.
This is a wonderful heart-warming story that anyone who has ever had a bad day can enjoy. The illustrations are great, and it shows little kids how much better a day can be when they just smile.
Possbile themes or units: kangaroos/animals, attitudes, family and love
Grade level: 1st or 2nd
When baby Roo wakes up one morning, he is in a bad mood and just plain grumpy. His mother tries everything to get him to smile, but nothing works. She tries and tries until a mud pit gets Roo to finally crack a smile.
This is a wonderful heart-warming story that anyone who has ever had a bad day can enjoy. The illustrations are great, and it shows little kids how much better a day can be when they just smile.
Possbile themes or units: kangaroos/animals, attitudes, family and love
August 12, 2010
I do love Fuge as an illustrator. They are all so adorable and it makes the books truly heart-warming. The story is fun, too. I think better than "Guess How Much I Love You." And one I can very much relate to--as a child, a teen, an adult, an aunt, and now a children's librarian.
8/10/10 Not too bad. The group was not as responsive as I'd hoped for. But they still liked the ending and all gave me smiles when I asked for them.
8/12/10 The reading went so much better with this group. Lots of smiles. Interaction. Laughs. And appreciative of the illustrations as well as the actual story. Very good.
8/10/10 Not too bad. The group was not as responsive as I'd hoped for. But they still liked the ending and all gave me smiles when I asked for them.
8/12/10 The reading went so much better with this group. Lots of smiles. Interaction. Laughs. And appreciative of the illustrations as well as the actual story. Very good.
January 30, 2021
Little Roo is feeling grumpy and not in the mood for smiling. His mom, Roo, tries everything that she can think of to make her little one smile. I loved the message in this book and the ending. Illustrations are lots of fun with clear expressions on the characters' faces. Charles Fuge does a great job with using the space to feel as if you are in the scene, even changing the orientation of the book at times to make the best use of the illustrations. Fun book from the author of Guess How Much I Love You!
March 1, 2013
Summary: A grumpy little kangaroo is having a bad day until his mother finds a way to make him smile. She tries everything to get a little grim out of him but it isn't until they all fall into the mud that the child smiles.
My 2 1/2 year old really likes this book right now. When reading, you have to move the book around as some pages present vertically and some horizontally.
Nice to use with theme for Mother's Day, love, etc.
My 2 1/2 year old really likes this book right now. When reading, you have to move the book around as some pages present vertically and some horizontally.
Nice to use with theme for Mother's Day, love, etc.
May 24, 2013
Genre: Modern Fantasy
Age: 4 and up
Summary: Little Roo is having a bad day. His momma is trying to cheer him up. She does everything that she can think of; throwing him up in the air, playing peek-a-boo, but...Roo is still cranky. Finally, Roo and his mom fall into a mud pit. They are covered in mud, and finally....little Roo is laughing and smiling again.
Reflection: I love this book. It has made my son Noah smile so many times when he was mad......It really works!
Age: 4 and up
Summary: Little Roo is having a bad day. His momma is trying to cheer him up. She does everything that she can think of; throwing him up in the air, playing peek-a-boo, but...Roo is still cranky. Finally, Roo and his mom fall into a mud pit. They are covered in mud, and finally....little Roo is laughing and smiling again.
Reflection: I love this book. It has made my son Noah smile so many times when he was mad......It really works!
April 21, 2009
Out of all of the books that my daughter and I read together, this is my #1 favorite. The story is very relatable, even for very young children. It's easy to understand and tells a wonderful story! The illustrations are soooo cute! Little Roo is adorable as are all of the other characters in the book. If you love to read to your children, this book is a MUST!!!
April 19, 2012
I love it when you smile by mcbratney: I love this book. Perfect for the beginning reader. This is a great book that shows a mothers love and how sometimes a little smile and laugh is needed. It also has the best illustrations with such comical faces. I would recommend this book to be read on parents day!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews