The Girl Who Lost Her Smile
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Jehan is a Persian girl whose smile inspires the sun to shine and the stars to sparkle at night. But one day she wakes up and her smile is gone. The people of the city dispatch jugglers and fire-eaters to help recover her smile, but to no avail. It is only through the efforts of a small, wise bird who brings a stranger to town that Jehan learns to recognize the beauty that has been in front of her eyes all along.Children's LiteratureIn old Baghdad lives a young girl, Jehan. When she smiles by day, the sun shines brightly. When she smiles by night, the stars twinkle. However, one morning Jehan loses her smile and fears she will never find it. The hoopoe bird goes out across the world in search of someone to help her regain her smile. He almost gives up until he meets a young Persian man who thinks he can help. He seeks her assistance in cleaning a wall, and as she sees the wall brighten, she feels herself brightening from within. Her smile returns, and all the people of Baghdad rejoice. On first reading, this simple tale leaves the reader wondering about its purpose. But on second reading, the reader comes to understand that happiness must come from within and be reflected on the outside. Those who enjoyed Czernecki's intricately detailed art in The Cricket's Cage will be disappointed in his simple drawings in this book. This book will only be a significant addition to a children's collection if there is a great need for a wide variety of folktales. 2000, Winslow Press, $16.95. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: J. B. Petty
