"Simple, flowing words coupled with fluorescent illustrations give young readers a book brimming with examples of how they are smart all day, every day. Realistic illustrations show children of varying racial presentations joining sentient animals and benign, hairy monsters to confidently explore their world, real and imagined." --Kirkus Reviews "In this cheerful exploration of all the nonstandard ways a person can be smart, the creators paint an expansive picture of intelligence that goes well beyond "being best/at spelling bees,/a tricky test.".Colpoys''s ink, charcoal, and pencil drawings burst with a profusion of neon orange and green, literally highlighting each scene with an incandescence that more than matches the rhyming couplets'' jauntiness. A feel-good paean to individuality." --Publishers Weekly "A joyous picture book that enthusiastically celebrates the power of the imagination while challenging stereotypes about what it means to be clever. With its flawless rhymes and winning illustrations, this book has all the makings of a classic.
" --Sydney Morning Herald "[A] parade of beauty that will give children of all backgrounds and interests confidence in their own uniqueness." --The Irish Times "A celebration of creativity and emotional intelligence featuring a diverse cast of kids. A reassuring read for primary-aged children who feel like a round peg in a square, academic hole." --The Guardian "If you need a reminder that there is no single yardstick that can ever measure a person''s worth, look no further than this wonderful #picturebook." --@picturethisbook, 23.5k followers "After a colorful, rollicking, joyful, rhyming read there is only one word for this book: wise. Good scores in a test are great but the importance of celebrating the creative, collaborative and just plain quirky things that make us emotionally intelligent and well-rounded could not have been better portrayed." --Readingsbookstore, "Best Picture Books of 2018" "This book is funny and tender, exuberant and whimsical, and an absolute joy to pore over.
Colpoys'' distinctive illustrations fizz with her trademark charm and vivacity; the colours burst out of the page with wild abandonment." --Bronte Coates, Readings Bookstore "Published only back in mid-October, All the Ways to be Smarthas soared not only to the top of our bestseller list (it is THE bestseller for 2018) but also into the hearts and minds of all those who have read it." --The Younger Sun Bookstore, 2018 Book of the Year "Joyful and vibrant.Allison Colpoys'' illustrations shimmer with movement and vivacity, with her loose-line illustrations and selective color palette exuding a nostalgic retro charm. Children will want to pore over each page, while the seamless read-out-loud rhyming pattern will ensure this is a favorite for years to come." --Kids'' Book Review "All The Ways to be Smartis the most beautiful, brilliant new picture book. Full stop. Charming illustrations in pretty, appealing colors? Check.
Great rhyming text that is super fun to read aloud? Check. A wonderful message conveyed in a beautiful non-judgey way? Check. The book is a joyful celebration of childhood and all the different, unique ways to be smart." --Courtney Adamo, Babyccino "This book needs to be in the hands of every policy-maker in the sphere of Education, in every classroom, in every library, and in every home.This book is an utterly glorious call to celebrate your strengths and your own unique smarts." --Oh Creative Day "From the dynamic partnership of Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys comes a tender, funny, and exquisitely illustrated picture book celebrating the myriad talents that each child brings to the world, from being able to read or tell the time to being good at blowing bubbles." --Good Reading "All the Ways to be Smartis a brilliant, gorgeous book bursting with unconventional magic spells that prove science is so much more than mere logic, and that being smart is above all about being happy. A feast for the eyes and heart, full of foolproof methods to enchant and inspire young minds.
" --Mika Provata-Carlone, Bookanista "This book teaches children that intelligence is so much more than being book-smart. Intelligence can also mean being empathetic, artistic, athletic, and inquisitive. It places value in every kind of talent, from ''building boats from boxes'' to ''kindness when there''s crying''. All the Ways to Be Smartis the perfect feel-good bedtime story that I can''t wait to gift this Christmas." --Sherry Landow, Writing NSW "It''s highly likely every child who reads this book will find something in it that shows they too are smart." --School Reading List "I think this unique book with colorful illustrations by Allison Colpoys can help children feel proud of what makes them special." --Mummy in the City "Vibrant, fun and empowering.it should be on everyone''s bookshelf!" --The Book Nookbookshop "A wonderful book about all the different ways to be smart.
" --A Bundle of Booksbookshop ''A joyous, life-affirming, imaginative celebration!'' --Crediton Community Bookshop "All The Ways to be Smartis an earnest and charming book celebrating the joys of all the wonderful qualities that make children who they are. The subtle and unique message is that getting excellent grades is not what makes you smart. Rather, it''s the value of learning through play which is beautifully illustrated and will captivate children''s imagination throughout the book." --Book Trust "What makes you smart? Is it making things, having a good imagination, being kind? This book lets every small person know they have something special." --Owl and Pyramid bookshop "A wonderful book for children. [There are] more ways than one to be smart." --Urmston bookshop "A wonderful book, teaching children about their own qualities and personalities." --Dartmouth bookseller "This picture book from Australia has glowing colours that seem to leap off the page and rhyming text that children will very much enjoy chanting.
The book is a jumbly rumble of busy, bright colours and kids doing fun things--along with dinosaurs, birds and flowers and all kinds of creatures. It will appeal and help children who feel less than academically inclined to realise their own potential and do their best with their own talents and abilities." --Elizabeth Schlenther, Books for Keeps "The perfect book for children suffering from anxiety about SATs and other school tests." --Parent Talk Praise for Captain Starfish(by the same team) "The unconditional acceptance of Alfie''s parents makes this book unique and may prove assuring to children of similar character. An excellent choice for one-on-one sharing." --School Library Journal "Learning to be brave can take time, and readers will empathize with Alfie''s slow progress toward that goal." --Booklist "Colpoys''s stylish, silkscreen-style illustrations use contrasting shades of sea green, deep blue, and bright pink to represent both the real world and Alfie''s rich interior life." --Publishers Weekly "Alfie''s success, aided by loving and patient parents, provides a model for children struggling with anxiety and assures them of their ultimate worth and capability.
This gentle story ably helps fill a need in children''s literature and will help comfort small audiences with their own big fears." --Kirkus Reviews " All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell explores multiple intelligences in a way that small children can understand and appreciate. Every child is smart in his or her own way. Some of the ways highlighted in a pleasing rhyme include creativity, physical activities, music, emotional sensitivity, memorising information, math, and traditional academic knowledge.The illustrations by Allison Colpoys are colourful and inviting, reminiscent of the early Dr. Seuss style.This is a charming book to help children understand that everyone has special skills and talents." -- Catholic Library Journal "What does it mean to be smart? This beautiful book inventories all the unique, not-so-academic ways a person might be smart throughout their day; from being good at taking risks, to being kind, or knowing how to sit quietly and observe.
A welcome message that is a delight to share with students with its gentle and warm rhyming text. The illustrations depict a wide array of diverse people and creatures in colourful scenes that take up the whole page. A gorgeous addition to school and public libraries, and a lovely gift for any child." -- Southeast Pennsylvania School Library Book Reviewers "For any child who has ever worried about being "smart", Australian author Bell and artist Colpoys offer an expansive, reassuring look at the many ways there are to be that way.The energy of Bell''s rhyming couplets reflects the very inventiveness the book celebrates, the ebullience of kids'' imagination, emotional intelligence and practical talents. Climbing trees, making slime, inventing games.Colpoys'' illustrations, showing a busy, multiracial, multi-gifted cast, convey joyous variety and abundant compassion." -- Toronto Star "In this cheerful exploration of all the nonstandard ways a person can be smart, the creators paint an expansive picture of intelligence that goes well beyond "being best/at spelling bees,/a tricky test.
" Notably, Bell''s definition includes different types of abilities--creative, emotional, and social--such as "kindness when there''s crying," "saying hi and bye/to people when they feel all shy," and "feeling.