Because Amelia Smiled
David Ezra Stein, author and illustrator
Candlewick Press, Fiction, September 2012
Suitable for: Ages 4 -8
Theme: A child’s smile inspires happiness, kindness and love
Opening/Synopsis: “Because Amelia smiled, coming down the street…Mrs. Higgins smiled, too. She thought of her grandson, Lionel, in Mexico and baked some cookies to send to him.” Lionel shares the cookies with his class and teaches them an English song. His act inspires a student in his class to film her kickboxing skills, who in turn inspires a ballet club in England. These acts of kindness start a ripple effect that takes the reader to England, Israel, Paris, Italy and back to New York City and Amelia. It only takes one big smile from a little girl to ignite a chain reaction from people around the world.
Why I like this book: Stein’s book shows children the power of how we are all connected to people we know and don’t know. Everything thing we do has an impact on someone else. And, with the internet and social media, our actions within our global family becomes even more important. With Amelia her unknowing act of kindness spreads like wildfire around the world. Too often we see the negative and it is an inspiring message to share with children and adults. And Stein urges readers of his book to “Pass it on.” The illustrations are very detailed and done with pencil, water-soluble crayons, and watercolor. Stein is the author-illustrator of Interrupting Chicken, which was awarded a Caldecott Honor.
Resources: This picture book alone stands as a powerful tool for parents and teachers to encourage children to do acts of kindness at home, school, and in their neighborhoods and communities. The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation is a great resource for classroom activities. Candlewick has a page about the story behind the book.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
This book looks great, Pat! I love the idea behind it. (I really love it – I had the same idea this week, although I hadn’t completely formulated how I was going to write it, but it’s a good thing you posted this or I might have written the same story :)) I love the message of kindness. This is a perfect book for our list. Thanks so much for adding it 🙂
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Susanna, it is a beautiful book. Kids will get the message and the ripple effect. His illustrations are incredible!
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YAY Pat – I have this book on hold at B&N and now I cannot WAIT to pick it up! Thanks for a stellar review (and sneak peek for me!). My book today is about kindness, too, and there’s an author giveaway! Barbara
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Thanks Barbara. I loved the book and message. Glad you have ordered it. You won’t be disappointed!
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Oooh-what a warm-fuzzy book…reminds us all of the difference we could make if we just take the time. I’ll be checking this one out
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Laura, it is such a simple concept if we all just made the time! Great to teach kids.
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What a beautiful book Pat. As I was reading your review I immediately thought of Amy Krouse Rosenthal and the beckoning of lovely videos. Her random acts!
I love the message in this book, and what we do has a rippling effect.
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Diane, yes, I thought of Amy too. And, I thought of the movie “Pay if Forward.” But, his is a lovely book for kids — great to start teaching early.
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Great message and I love stories that show you other countries. It’s not easy to do and still be character led.
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Catherine, I’m glad you liked the message. It was possible in the book because of social media. I liked the kindness spreading around the world and back to the child. But, it can be done with kids at home and in their communities.
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This sounds like a beautiful book with an important message. Let’s share our smiles!
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Laura, I’m smiling too. It will help kids think of things on their own.
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As I read your review, I nearly gasped out loud at the beauty of what happened “because Amelia smiled.” What a wonderful way to show kids how just one small act can have such an incredible ripple effect, and affect so many people positively. Thank you so much for introducing us to this book, Pat. I have a warm feeling inside just from reading your review — imagine what the book would do to me!
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Thanks you Beth. What I liked about the story, was that the little girl was clueless of what her smile caused a ripple effect — as it should be sometimes. We never really know how we impact people by something small we say or do. A very important message for kids.
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Oh my…this sounds like it borrows a theme from the book Cloud Atlas (being released as a movie next week). In Cloud Atlas, a single kindness done in the past ripples through time and results in a revolution centuries later. I guess there is something to be said by “We are bound together past and present. Through each crime and every kindness, we birth our future.”
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Michael, I always enjoy your thoughtful remarks about “being bound by past and present.” Will have to see Cloud Atlas when it’s released. It also reminds me of the movie “Pay it Forward.” But, the beauty is the child is unaware of what her smile does, but it comes back to her in the end. Great message for kids — especially with behavior.
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I want to read the book and see the movie that Miichael referenced to compare them! Neat!
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Cathy, so do I. I’m intrigued. The book has such a great message to discuss with kids.
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Wonderful! This shows the butterfly effect so well, going beyond the community impact a book like “Because Brian Hugged His Mother” has and taking it international. We had the opportunity to present at an after-school program this year where we taught about how one little thing done in one place can have an impact that you can’t even imagine. I’m so glad you’ve shared another book we can use to help tell that story! Another one in that theme is “How Full Is Your Bucket” (for kids).
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Craig, I’m glad you enjoyed this new book. Loved the after-school program you did with children on this topic. Will have to check out the book you mentioned. I have read and reviewed over a year ago two similar books on “How Full Is Your Bucket.” All good books to get the message across.
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I put this on hold before I even finished your review! Thanks!
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Julie, that’s fast! Glad you enjoyed the review.
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This sounds great. What a good message for kids — and it sounds like it shows it in a way that makes it understandable for them. I’m also glad someone finally explained the premise of Cloud Atlas. I’ve seen several previews for that movie, and was mystified by all of them. So thanks! 😉
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Thank you Carrie. Great book for kids. Yes, I’m glad Michael mentioned Cloud Atlas, as I wasn’t clear.
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This sounds so rich! A smile does indeed change how people feel about themselves. Relating to others in friendship and kindness, brings the best out of others. Great theme!
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Niamh, I’m so happy you liked my selection. Such a beautiful book and message.
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I really like the cover of the book. It makes me smile! I notice that ripple effect wherever I go. It is a real phenomenon. I think kids would really like this book and it could create a ripple of its own. Thanks for sharing. I’ll check this one out.
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The book does put a smile on your face. Think kids would embrace the idea if they understood the ripple effect. Children care more than we realize.
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What a cute, lovely, perfect, and peaceful book! I think we would like it. 🙂
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I think you and Josie would like the book. Might give you some ideas to practice daily. We all need to pass it on.
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This book has received quite a bit of buzz. I think I need to put it on my “must read now” list. Thanks Patricia.
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Kirsten, it is an excellent book.
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Great book suggestion. This book wears a permanent smile, have it in a convenient spot on the book shelf.
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Yes, I do love the cover.
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I’m in love with the idea of this book! Something as small as a smile really can make a big impact on those around us, and it sounds like this book did a great job of showing that.
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Amanda, it is book I’d give as a gift. Very important message for children and adults.
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Just read thus book the other night, and just loved the message. Haven’t read it to the girls yet, hope they like it too.
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So happy you enjoyed this book. Hope your girls do to.
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What a great review. I am exciting about finding this book and reading it. I hope our library has it.. Nice choice.
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Penny, I’ so happy you liked this story. Many great teaching moments.
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