|
Can You Help Me Find My Smile?
“Teddy Bear’s parents give
him everything but he’s still grumpy.
His friends try cheering him up with boyish activities, but it doesn’t
work. Finally he turns to Grandpa,
who introduces him to a new idea: ‘Happiness comes by helping others.’
Teddy decides to try this tact, coming up with several ideas on his own.
Soon he is the happiest bear around.
Sommer guides young readers ages 4 to 7 to the moral without
preaching or condescending. Teddy
is shown beaming with joy as he cleans his room and rakes the yard, a scenario
many parents will be happy to present to their own children.
The tale is crafted so it doesn’t appear Teddy is simply doing what
Grandpa told him to; he is being kind because it really feels good to make
others smile.”
Today’s Librarian, March 2001
“We had an assembly at
school the other day about character education and it was a good springboard for
reading and discussing your books. I read Can you Help me Find my Smile?
We discussed the moral afterward and then talked about how we could apply it to
our own lives. I am happy with the results so far! One student was eager to
share with me that she made her bed this morning to make her mother happy. I
overheard another one say, ‘Making other people happy really does make you
smile.’ How great is that?”
Lynda Josenhans, 4th grade
elementary school teacher in long Island, New York
“This is a great story with life lessons on doing
the right thing and helping others. Teddy is a little bear and sometimes things
don’t go his way. This makes him sad, and feels like he has lost his smile and
can not find it. Sometimes it would come back for a short time but as soon as he
felt sad or grumpy it would go away. After a visit at the farm with his Grandpa,
Teddy realizes that he can get his smile back when he helps out someone else and
then he feels good about it. His friends also like being around him more when
he’s not so grumpy. I like the title and the pictures are fun and bright. Would
be great to see it in paperback. Recommend.”
Vicky Jones, Prairie Mountain, Bethel SD, for
Lane Education Service District
“I found the story line [Can You
help Me Find My Smile?] and the pictures very meaningful and enjoyable. I
shared the story with my three-year-old grandson and he was quite attentive and
very concerned about Teddy’s lost smile. He spent time alone re-reading
the book later in the evening, which indicates that the story was meaningful to
him.
Thank you for your efforts to communicate important life messages to our
children and families today. It is a great challenge.
Susan Spelts,
Executive Director of Houston Advocates for Mental Health in Children
"I’ve just
finished reading the Carl Sommer’s, “Sommer Time Story Books,”...The lessons are
all so simple but powerful. They are, without a doubt,
the best children’s books I have ever read.
Today I read, “Can You Help Me
Find My Smile?”, to my three year old.
He loved it!! These six
books will be enjoyed by all children two to ten years of age--as well as
adults. The adorable color
illustrations convey amazing depth of emotion that speaks to every child in
vibrant color." (Bold is in the
original newsletter.)
Kathi Hudson, author and
vice-president of Citizens for Excellence in Education
The title,
"Can You Help Me Find My Smile?," says it all in this favorite children's book
by Carl Sommer. Teddy is in search of happiness. Where can he find
it? Many give advice, but his wise grandpa leads him in the right
direction. In our "Me-first world" more literature should be available
discussing the joy of helping others. Thank you for this teaching aid.
I can't wait to use this story with the children at my school.
Roberta,
A preschool director from Phoenix, AZ
Librarian Endorsements
At the
Texas Library Association convention in San Antonio we gave librarians a copy of
Can You Help Me Find My Smile? by Carl Sommer. These are some of the
comments we have received.
“It was a very enchanting story. Very appealing with
the drawings. Most important of all, it was very enriching. And the
values it stresses about life are the ones that we all should consider
important. It’s a wonderful book to teach values.”
Beverly Jane Bungarz, MLS, MA, Western Hills Elementary, Fort
Worth, TX
“I
really like the theme of the book, and children respond very well to the
message.”
Mary Ann Carrier, Library Directer for Effie
and Wilton Hebert Public Library, Port Neches, TX
“I think it sends a wonderful message to the kids.
We need more books like them.”
Kathy Brundrett, Austin Elementary, Grand Prairie, TX
“I just
think its a wonderful book because it helps us teach children there is hope in
the world without really having to lecture at them.
It give our students the incentive to keep trying.
“I love that book because its
inspirational. I’ll be looking
forward to more of them.”
Annalee Smith
“We
found this title to be a charming book and a worthwhile addition to our library.
We are always looking for books that promote values.”
Janet Martin,
Popham Elementary, Del Valle, TX
“I
thought it was really cute.
It has a good message, and it’s very positive.”
Gloria Gonzalez, El Jardin Elementary, Brownsville, TX
“It was
really, really good,” reported a counselor to Donna Hill.
The counselor was interested in getting the whole set of these books.
Donna Hill, Bridgeport Elementary, Bridgeport, TX
“We are
planning when we have more funds for the children’s section to add more to that
collection.
We have some older books that don’t come across as well.
We enjoyed it.”
Sue Dear,
Children’s Librarian, Jasper Public Library, Jasper, TX
“I
thought it was really good.
I definitely will be looking at your other series to buy next year.
We need more books like that.”
Michele Stuhrenberg,
East Side Elementary, Palacios, TX
Endorsements for all Sommer-Time Stories
Write an
Online Review
|
