Why Every Child Should Read Put On a Big Smile by Arielle Turover Cohe

Making Kids Feel Heard, Understood, and Seen

Kids these days are growing up in an increasingly fast-paced world. School stress, screen time, and even social stress are striking earlier and harder. No surprise our smallest kids are experiencing big emotions many they don't yet know the words for.

Which is why books like Put On a Big Smile by Arielle Turover Cohen are not only lovely tales they're tools. Tools of healing, of understanding, and of bonding.

This picture book is not just delivering sweet drawings and a warm tale (though it does that so well). It opens the way to conversations needed and shows something many of us wish we knew sooner how to appreciate life in the day-to-day, and how to be kind to ourselves while we do it.

More Than Just a Story A Gentle Guide for Feelings

The wonder of Put On a Big Smile is that it never sermonizes or has an agenda. Instead, it shows children in the gentlest way possible how to notice and be with their feelings, then offers small but strong ways to shift those feelings when they become too much.

It's not about faking your sorrow or pretending that everything is fine. It's about knowing your feelings and recognizing that even something as little as a smile can shift the mood of your day. The tale empowers children to feel like they are in charge of how they react to the world around them, and that's an important lesson at any age.

Small Moments, Big Joy

Perhaps the most moving part of the book is how it finds beauty in the everyday. A soft word. A soft hug. A quiet pause. These aren't grand, flashy gestures they're simply reminders that the best things are already within our reach.

For a child, this is comforting. It says, "You don't need to chase happiness. You already have it within you." In a world where messages are so often about doing more, being more, and having more, this book provides something beautifully different it celebrates simply being.

The Power of a Smile

There is something profoundly moving about the idea that smiling can actually affect how we're feeling. And this book communicates this message without being too syrupy or made-up.

For a listener who is a child, a smile becomes not just a response but a sneaky power. It shows them that they are strong, even when emotions become too much to handle. They learn that how and what they think can be like waves in their heads and in the world.

Characters people identify with, authentic feelings

One of the reasons why children like Put On a Big Smile is that characters are friendly. They've had experiences children can identify with feeling unsure, frustrated, left out, or just plain "off" for no reason.

The book does not wrap these emotions in neat solutions. Rather, it ambles through them slowly. It instructs kids that feelings are not issues they're phenomena. And that even when we're sad or afraid, those emotions are real and manageable.

Fostering Emotional Intelligence Without Pressure

Many kids don't yet know how to articulate what's happening within. That's fine. This book assists in beginning that dialogue organically.

Instead of teaching kids to "cheer up," the book encourages them to notice what they're feeling, name it, and gently hold onto things that feel safe and familiar. It's a gradual, gentle process of emotional development, and that's exactly what emerging minds need.

Building Confidence Through Kindness

Instead of celebrating perfection, this book celebrates progress and effort. It portrays characters who attempt, fail, stumble up, and attempt once more. Kids start to see that mistakes aren't failures necessarily, anyway. They're learning.

The way in which the characters talk to themselves in the story is especially useful. They talk kindly to themselves, are gentle with themselves. That kind of internal dialogue is the origin of true confidence and this book accomplishes it very well.

A Storytime That Fosters Connections

Reading the book together creates the context for parents and children to have moments of connection that reach far, far beyond the page. It makes the discussion open to real questions and thoughtful conversation.

After you've read, you can say to your child, "Why did the book make you happy?" or "When did you last smile today?" These small conversations help your child build self-awareness and help you learn more about them a little, too.

Lasting Lessons That Stick

Those books that leave indelible marks on children tend to be those that touch their hearts. Put On a Big Smile is such a book. Its messages of kindness, toughness, and loving care don't simply entertain them seeds are planted.

Over time, those seeds germinate into habits that endure for a lifetime. Kids who hear such messages on a daily basis are likely to treat themselves and others with kindness, handle stress more gracefully, and develop greater empathy.

Final Thought: A Book Every Home Should Have

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or someone who simply cares about the emotional wellbeing of children, this is the kind of book that belongs on your shelf. It’s soft, warm, encouraging, and wise.

Put On a Big Smile is more than a picture book. It’s a companion. A little light that stays with children long after Storytime ends.

Because ultimately, one smile can actually make all the difference.

FAQ's: Put On a Big Smile by Arielle Turover Cohen

1: What age group is this book for?
It’s perfect for ages 3–8, but older kids (and even adults) can connect with its message too.

2: Is it just about “smiling through” tough times?
Not at all. It embraces all emotions and gently shows how a smile can shift your perspective without ignoring feelings.

3: Will kids understand the deeper meaning?
Yes. The language and illustrations make complex feelings easy to understand in a kid-friendly way.

4: How can I use this to talk about emotions?
After reading, ask open questions like:
– “Did any part feel familiar?”
– “What made you smile today?”
– “What do you do when you feel sad?”

5: Is it just fun or does it help emotionally?
Both! It entertains while teaching emotional awareness, empathy, and self-talk—without feeling like a lesson.

6: Can it be used in classrooms or therapy?
Definitely. It’s great for group reading, counseling, or emotional wellness discussions at home, school, or therapy.