I love that so many children’s books now have such positive messages about being yourself and being unique, and as long as people keep writing them, I’ll keep reading them to my kid.
About the Book
When Mr. Hart asks his class to think of something that makes each of them unique, Haley is stumped. Everyone else, it seems, has at least one quality or skill that makes them stand out. But what does Haley have? In Smudges, Lauren Emerson emphasizes the importance of diversity and encourages the idea that, no matter what, we all have something that makes us special. From being bilingual to having red hair, Lauren Emerson will inspire children everywhere to not only look for the thing that makes them different but to celebrate it.
My Thoughts
Our house is filled with neurospicy people, so when reading with my daughter, my husband was quick to point out that many of the “unique” qualities in the book were more “uncommon” than unique. That didn’t bother me, but if you’re the right kind of neurospicy it might you, so that’s the only content warning I have. Otherwise, this is an adorable book about being yourself and embracing the ways you are special in your own way.
I remember reading tons of books with moral stories, but I don’t remember tons of books encouraging us to be ourselves. And the nerdy girls and big girls who looked like me were always delegated to be comic relief or some tertiary character that drifted in and out of the stories. So to see kids of all shapes, sizes, and different abilities featured in stories is a breath of fresh air. And I’m so excited to share them with my daughter and remind her at every chance that the best way to be is to be herself.
The author included a puzzle piece in the promotional box, and my daughter shared that what makes her unique is that she is a very fast runner. I couldn’t think of anything about myself—a lot like our main character—but after thinking and some nudging by my husband, I realized I had quite a few things. One was being an oboe player. I recently met another one, and they told me we’re even fewer and farther apart these days than we used to be.
I’m so grateful to the author and Love Books Tours for including me on this tour, and I look forward to more books by the author. I always love when there is something that’s good to share with my daughter and to foster a love of reading.
Who’s It For?
This is a great book to buy for any little people in your life. The recommended ages are 5-10, and that seems appropriate to me. My 6-year-old enjoyed it, and she was able to answer many of the questions in the back.
About the Author
Lauren Emerson has over a decade of experience in elementary education. Before entering the classroom, she was a television news reporter and associate producer for educational children’s shows. She is a proud lefty and smudges when she writes. She lives in Flower Mound, Texas, with her husband and two school-aged children.
Amazon US: https://a.co/d/3eh6g5C
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9781612546735
Bookshop UK: https://amzn.eu/d/dKFaonp
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/208107848-smudges
Author Website: https://www.laurenemersonbooks.com/
As a Bookshop.org (US) Affiliate, I may earn on qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org purchases support local, independent bookshops. My chosen affiliate bookshop is Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Bookshop, a local, queer-owned bookshop in New Orleans.
Published by Amorina Carlton. Award-winning American author, Amorina Carlton, is currently working on her first novel. You can find more about her published work and works in progress on the home page. She also serves as the PR/Marketing Lead for Ravens and Roses Publishing, and reviews books, mostly by other indie authors, here and on Bookstagram.