A Smile in Your Pocket by Jarrod Zayas | Children’s Book Review
Book Details
A Smile In Your Pocket by Jarrod Zayas
Published by Paw prints on 09/06/2022
Genres: Children's Picture Book
Format: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 32
It’s the morning walk to school and it doesn’t feel right. The day has started gloomy, when it’s normally bright.
And, so begins a series of change that turns young Miles’ day upside down. Once friendly and familiar, everything on that school walk now seems distant, sad, or stressed. The weather. The community workers. Even the neighbor’s dog, Daisy.
At school, things don’t lighten up for Miles. There, he’s introduced to a series of new rules meant to help prevent the spread of germs, and all the change overwhelms him, translating into major anxiety and sadness of his own.
But, with the help of his patient teacher, Ms. Franklin, Miles learns the value of embracing change and remaining positive. And, he also learns how sharing one little smile, even one you can keep in your pocket, can bring perspective and happiness to yourself and those around you.
More relevant than ever before in our current “pandemic era,” A Smile in Your Pocket provides caregivers with a fun storytime read that provides a conversation primer about good hygiene, social distancing, and coping with emotions.
Source: NetGalley
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Purchase Links for A Smile in Your Pocket
Click here for –> Amazon – OneLink for all countries.
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My thoughts on A Smile in Your Pocket
A Smile in Your Pocket by Jarrod Zayas put a smile on my face.
The story addresses how changes to routines can make us stressed and sad. Miles is dealing with this uneasiness as he senses the adults in his life are worried. Miles doesn’t like the gray day, new rules, or the feelings brought on by change.
Thanks to an observant, caring teacher, he learns that changes affect everyone. She teaches him a trick to lift his spirits and he happily shares this solution with everyone he meets.
The book provides a much needed introduction for little ones to recognize feelings, sadness, and coping.
The illustrations are well done and greatly enhance the story. There are many learning opportunities to be discussed by looking at the pictures. I like the diversity of the characters represented in the book.
Dr Kaia Calbeck, a clinical psychologist, provides a summary at the end of the book about how to help children deal with the anxiety of a change and a nice set of pointers to help adults get discussions started.
4.5/5.0 (The cadence was occasionally off while reading this book aloud.)
I received a digital copy of the book from the author or publisher to review. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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About Jarrod Zayas
After receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre, Jarrod Zayas spent years performing original theatrical productions across the United States with Birmingham Children's Theatre. As a member of the theatre's creative team, Jarrod adapted and wrote original scripts.
After touring, Jarrod settled in New York, where he has taken his experience with writing and performing for children and applied it to the field of educational publishing.
Over the last decade, Jarrod has written for a number of educational programs for children, one of which was a fina list for Elon Musk's 2018 Global Learning X Prize competition.
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Purchase A Smile in Your Pocket online from a local Bookshop!
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Amazon Easy Info Links
Click here for –> Amazon – OneLink for all countries.
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Amazon – Canada
Amazon – UK
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Amazon – Germany
If your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links, please send me a note. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a very small amount out of their share.
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