Finding Joy in Every Smile: A Review of I See You Smile
As a busy mom of two little ones, I often find myself in the chaos of bedtime routines: brushing teeth, searching for that elusive favorite stuffed animal, and managing the inevitable meltdowns that come when everyone is overtired. It was during one of these evenings, after at least three rounds of “just one more story,” that I stumbled upon I See You Smile by the wonderful team behind the I See You Board Books series. Just the title alone made me think of those fleeting moments of joy that I cherish amidst the madness, and I knew I had to bring it home.
This delightful book takes toddlers on a vibrant journey through various emotions that we often experience every day—happiness, excitement, and joy, all wrapped in a simple, sweet plot. Each page showcases a lovable toddler navigating through their daily routine while their caregiver lovingly acknowledges their body language. The way the caregiver affirms emotions through playful rhymes and bouncy rhythms instantly captured my own kids’ attention. You see, they could relate to every little twitch of joy and wave of excitement.
What truly stood out to us were the charming illustrations—bright, colorful, and bursting with life—every page was a canvas of emotions. My three-year-old pointed to the characters and mimicked their expressions, a giggle erupting when he saw the wide-eyed excitement of the toddler in the book. I couldn’t help but smile as he exclaimed, “Look, Mommy! He’s happy just like me!” It was as if the book was a mirror reflecting their own feelings. We ended up pausing quite a few times to talk about what our faces might look like when we feel different emotions, which not only sparked meaningful conversations but also helped them articulate their feelings in a way I hadn’t anticipated.
One of our favorite lines referred to the ‘big belly laughs,’ and oh my goodness, did our house fill with laughter that night! My toddler reenacted the laughter with all the dramatic flair he could muster, falling over in fits of giggles. That became a special moment we would carry into our days after—every time they smiled, we’d remember to talk about how their feelings made them react, turning simple moments into fun conversations about emotional growth.
I would recommend I See You Smile for toddlers, preschoolers, and even younger children who are just starting to understand their emotions. It’s especially great for parents who are feeling a bit lost in the whirlwind of tiny tempestuous feelings that come with this age. As adults, it can be a gentle reminder to notice and affirm the emotional lives of our little ones, and what a beautiful gift to offer them!
In the end, I can confidently say I See You Smile has firmly found a place on our family bookshelf among our go-to bedtime stories. It’s a lovely balance of fun and emotional literacy—a new favorite that I believe will continue to resonate with us, nurturing those joyful experiences as we navigate the beautiful chaos of parenthood. Like smiling in the midst of a storm, this story has softly reminded us to pause, notice, and celebrate the little moments that spark joy—even amidst the noise!
