Not a Smiley Guy

January 22, 2024
This dry comedy stars a child who doesn’t smile no matter what his parents do. “Nice people,” Ernest reflects as an infant, looking up at his relations. “What a good family to be born into. The only thing that would make it better would be some elephants.” Sly, stylized mixed-media paintings by Kulikov (Stay Curious!) gesture toward Ernest’s obsession by hiding a pachyderm in every spread. Even as he perceives the elephants, though, Ernest finds that “aside from the interesting stretchy face sensation,” smiling is just not for him. When even the gift of a talking elephant doesn’t make Ernest grin, his despairing mother asks why the boy is unhappy. “I’m almost always happy,” Ernest explains. “I’m just not a smiley guy.” Further pushed to signal contentment, he agrees to do a little jig by way of exhibiting the emotion, though “maybe not every time.” Newbery Honoree Horvath lightly exploits the chilling narrative possibilities of living with, and occasionally conceding to, loved ones who both hold power and can’t see past their own expectations: “You don’t have to change,” the book states, “but for the people you love you do what you can.” Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–6.

February 15, 2024
You can be happy, even if your face doesn't show it. As a newborn, Ernest enjoys his parents' smiles, and he realizes he has a nice family. As he gets older, he discovers many more smilers among relatives and neighbors. He wishes he could also meet some elephants, but, as he notes, "You can't have everything." The smilers want him to smile, too, but contorting his face like that isn't Ernest's thing. He tries it once, but after that--nah. He does other things his parents like: He learns to walk, talk, and eat neatly; he can even put on his snowsuit by himself. Yet they still expect grins. They take him on outings to stimulate smiles, but nothing works. Ernest's parents finally capitulate and get him his longed-for elephant, named Marcia, whom he brings to kindergarten for show and tell. Walking home afterward, Ernest tells his parents that he is a happy child, just not a smiley one--which makes them happy. This is an offbeat story, but it's not just about smiling per se. Rather, it sends reassuring messages: It's OK to be who you are, and others should accept you for being yourself. The gouache-and-watercolor illustrations are lively and comical and will elicit chuckles. Ernest and his family are light-skinned; background characters are diverse. Children will smile more than once while reading this quirky tale--even if its protagonist probably wouldn't. (Picture book. 5-8)

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April 15, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 Ernest has plenty to be happy about. He just isn't interested in smiling. He tried it, once, but "it was not for him." His parents coaxed. "They kept asking for smiles. It was a little exhausting to tell you the truth." When his exasperated father asks what Ernest wants, Ernest ventures, "An elephant?" Marcia makes Ernest a delightful companion, but still--no smiles. Instead, an occasional "little jig" is how Ernest expresses happiness. "You don't have to change, but for the people you love you do what you can." Newbery Honor Book author and National Book Award winner Horvath champions the art of compromise, and this general premise bears a solid resemblance to Skylaar Amann's Smile, Sophia (2022). Kulikov (Six Dots, 2016) sneakily works elephants into exaggerated mixed-media portraits reminiscent of Corinna Luyken's masterful work in Adrian Simcox Does NOT Have a Horse (2018), and the search-and-find element will entertain young readers. The overall effect speaks more to an adult audience, but those trying to differentiate emotions from their expression will appreciate having this as an example.

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May 3, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-Ernest was born into an amazing family in a great home. "Nice people, he thought. What a good family to be born into. The only thing that would make it better would be some elephants." Very quickly, Ernest discovers that he does not enjoy smiling, but he is still very happy. His parents, in their efforts to make him smile, take him to fairs and even purchase an elephant, all to no avail. Ernest insists that he can be happy without smiling, expressing his dislike for the act. Despite this, his parents reassure him of their love, while the elephant simply requests a larger bed. The droll narration maintains an ideal balance; readers will be convinced of Ernest's sincerity and he's a very pleasant person. Thanks to his parents, he discovers that the world is full of neat stuff-ice cream parlors, the seaside, roller derby-as well as people who are kind of loud and who overdo it on smiling. Children will delight in the illustrations and the challenge of spotting hidden elephants, although the deeper message may be too complex for them to grasp fully. Books like Yangsook Choi's The Name Jar and David Shannon's A Bad Case of Stripes also offer explorations of individuality; why not have a triple-header story hour? VERDICT A charming book, recommended for larger library collections.-Kirsten Caldwell

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