The Smile Shop
Age range 3 to 6
Award-winning artist Satoshi Kitamura delivers the powerful message that kindness is more important than money. Nominated for the Greenaway Medal 2021. Celebrate the power of a smile in this deceptively simple story set in a multi-ethnic market. A small boy is planning how to spend his first ever pocket money when disaster strikes and he's left with only one coin. His day seems to be ruined until he sees a Smile Shop. In a surprise ending, the world is put to rights and suddenly the whole world is smiling again!
‘This wonderful picture book is packed with beautifully observed illustrations, full of gentle humour and intricate detail, which reflect a multicultural, multi-ethnic town’ — Booktrust
‘This gentle story offers a different perspective on the commercial messaging that children meet elsewhere. Kitamura works every spread to maximum effect’ — Books for Keeps
Currently living in Japan, Satoshi Kitamura has created over 20 of his own picture books, as well as having illustrated many by prominent authors such as Hiawyn Oram, John Agard and Colin McNaughton. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages. Satoshi has won awards including the Mother Goose Award, Silver Award for the Smarties Prize, and the National Art Library Illustrations Award.