Tuesday 31 August 2021

A Smile

Finished August 31
A Smile attributed to Raoul Follereau, illustrated by Hoda Hadadi

This picture book takes French author and humanitarian Raoul Follereau poem and brings it to life with Iranian artist Hoda Hadadi's illustrations. This poem was written more than a century ago and has been translated into many languages since. 
The illustrations follow a family as they awake in the morning, set off on a walk, visit a bakery, inspire people both well-off and in need, take treats to school, listen to music, and enjoy life with others in their community. 
With a wide variety of smiles, exuberant and quiet, and fun details to seek out in the illustrations, this book will have readers smiling as well, eager to share the story with others.
I loved the bright and colourful illustrations with elements of collage and paint, and the endpapers with the smiling plants. Each page has animals, signs, or other small details to delight the observant reader. 
A short description of Follereau's humanitarian work in included at the end of the book. 

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