Today is the start of National Smile Month, so this week’s Friday Library Recommendations all feature books to make you smile!
My first choice this week is the The Smile by Marie Voigt, a beautifully gentle picture book that reminds us how even the smallest acts can have the biggest impact. This lyrical story begins with something wonderfully simple – a baby’s smile. That fleeting moment of joy sets off a chain reaction of kindness, passing from one person to another and travelling across countries, cultures and communities.
As each good deed is paid forward, readers are invited to see how kindness can take many different forms: a helpful gesture, a caring word, a thoughtful action. The story quietly celebrates the connections that link us all, showing children that we don’t have to be loud or extraordinary to make a difference – we simply have to be kind.
The warm, golden illustrations are full of light and tenderness, perfectly matching the message at the heart of the book. They help children notice details, emotions and the shared humanity between families and strangers around the world.
This is a thoughtful and uplifting read, ideal for sharing at home or in the classroom. It opens up lovely conversations about empathy, community and how our actions affect others. A reassuring reminder that kindness really can change the world – one small moment at a time.
Next, I have chosen The Happy Tank by John Magee , a wonderfully practical and uplifting book that supports children in understanding what happiness is, why it matters and how they can look after their own mental wellbeing. Warm, friendly and easy to follow, this book is designed to help children fill up their happy tank with habits that can last a lifetime.
Drawing on positive psychology, John Magee gently explains why happiness is so important, particularly as children grow, face challenges and learn to cope with change. The ideas are presented in a reassuring way that never feels overwhelming, making them accessible for both children and adults. Throughout the book, readers are introduced to calming and confidence-boosting techniques such as breathing, reflection, kindness, affirmations and gratitude, all woven together with humour and warmth.
What makes The Happy Tank especially powerful is how practical it is. Strategies are easy to try, whether at home or in school, and naturally encourage children to pause, reflect and be kinder to themselves and others. This is an ideal book for supporting emotional resilience, building self-belief and opening up conversations about wellbeing.
And finally, for our older readers, I’ve picked Letters From The Upside by Katya Balen, a tender, hopeful story about anger, kindness and the quiet ways trust can change a child’s life. This is a book that speaks honestly about big feelings while offering a gentle sense of hope.
Con is struggling. Since his dad left, his anger feels impossible to control and it’s pushing away the people he cares about most – even his best friend. School feels like one place he keeps getting things wrong, and Con is beginning to believe that being good is something meant for other people, not for him.
Then he meets his neighbour, Mr Williams, and discovers a secret rooftop filled with homing pigeons. Soft-feathered, beautiful and trusted to fly far and always return home, the birds offer Con something he hasn’t felt in a long time: belief. As he learns to care for the pigeons, Con slowly starts to care for himself too.
This is a thoughtful, emotionally rich book that explores forgiveness, responsibility and second chances with sensitivity and warmth. Perfect for upper Key Stage 2 readers, it’s a powerful reminder that hope can be found in unexpected places – and that every child deserves the chance to spread their wings.
Happy reading!
