Augustus and His Smile

I found it to be one of the finest books I have ever read and not just in the Children's books category either! Needless to say, I went out the next day and bought a copy for our personal library. Brilliantly imaginative and extremely well-illustrated, it was simply wonderful! In addition, the message is important for all of us to learn now more than ever and starting children out with this perspective is the best way to promote true happiness. I simply cannot praise Catherine Rayner's book enough. It has all the important themes of Thoreau's "Walden" or Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" poetically stated. It is a life changing book and a fine piece of literature. "Augusutus and His Smile" will find itself read often in my home.

We checked this out of our library and my son LOVED this book. He asked us to read it everyday. The illustrations are gorgeous. Don't pass on this one.

This is one of my very favorite books for my three year-old daughter. How it escaped Caldecott recognition is beyond me - the illustrations are incredible, Asian-inspired works of art. Poor Augustus the tiger has lost his smile and sets off on a journey to find it, finally learning that it is always with him as is the joy and beauty in the world. Even my daughter understands the message, and we love reading it together. Highly recommend this book if you are in the mood for a change from some of the sillier (though still very good) kids books.