"The market is very busy.
There are so many shops and stalls,
and such wonderful colors ...
and tempting smells!
That apple pie looks tasty."
What power there is for a child when they have their own money to spend! It is the first time such a thing has happened for the young boy who is the center of the reader's attention. He narrates his story with expression, as he wanders the market and describes it through his senses. There is much temptation there for him; he wants to make the right choice.
When he is bumped by a skateboarder and loses most of his coins in a nearby drain, he feels all the sadness of a lost chance. As luck would have it, he makes his way into a shop with a 'Smile' sign on it. He wonders if the coin he has left might buy him one small smile. The keeper of the shop takes a liking to the boy and his question, offering a free smile. What a change that kind reaction makes for an impressionable young child!
The illustrations are lovely to see; they are filled with incredible detail and show all of the emotions felt. The colors used reflect the boy's mood as he is dejected by his loss, and then encouraged by the kindness. The spreads show a culturally diverse community, detailed scenes, gentle humor, and the realization that one smile can be a game-changer. A simply told story, with so much to say.
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