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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
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