All the Ways to Be Smart

Children soar on dragons, lecture dinosaurs, play with pirates, show off in a circus, and explore space while always receiving the message that “every hour of every day, / we’re smart in our own special way. / And nobody will ever do… / the very same smart things as you.” Affirming. (Picture book. 4-8).

Copyright 2019 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission.

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 scared/ but taking chances." Fanciful creatures, including a dragon, unicorn, and fairy, appear alongside children throughout-monsters join a tea party, animals take up games-emphasizing the rhythmic anything-is-possible message. 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. Ages 3-6.

Copyright 2019 Publisher’s Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

"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."
—Readings bookstore, "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 Smart has 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