Reviews
Smile: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry) by Gary Golio, Ed Young
libraryrobin's review against another edition
2.0
Enjoyed the text but not the illustrations. So much of Chaplin's personality was visual and the art in this book did not represent that well.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely gorgeous collage and ink illustrations (some of Young's best work, in my opinion) tell the story of Charlie Chaplin's childhood in London. He and his mother and brother lived hand to mouth, were in a workhouse at one point, until they could find work. Charlie always had an affinity for performing, and already at 9 years old he was on stage! As a young man, he traveled to America with a production and was discovered by Mack Sennett, of Keystone Cops fame, which led to his career as screenwriter, director, producer, actor, composer, and so forth. I loved the writing of this book, very nice. "Charlie began to understand/ how funny and sad went hand in hand." and later, "Laughter and tears were brothers too." I also liked that the author included sources for all of the quotations used in the book.
I received a hardback copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
I received a hardback copy of this book from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
Charlie Chaplin is such an iconic comedian of silent films, but kids today probably don't really know who he is. Which is why I was happy to see this picture book biography, introducing him to another generation. Charlie's career began on the streets of London, where he performed to earn a few pennies for food. At one point, he, his mum, and older brother Sydney landed in the poorhouse when she became sick, but they also worked and got themselves out of it. Charlie went back to entertaining, even joining a traveling theater troupe at age 9, where he quickly learned how to make people laugh. He also learned that everyone has a story, and how funny and sad, laughter and tears all go together. And these are the ideas he brought with him to America and Hollywood, were his character the Little Tramp was born in a prop room full of old dust clothes. This is a very kid friendly biography, written in clear, precise, accessible language, and accompanied by Ed Young's wonderfully striking collage and ink illustrations created using a variety of techniques. As you read, you'll notice a little silhouette of the Little Tramp on some of the pages at the bottom right hand corner. Flip the pages to see it walk Chaplin's characteristic Little Tramp walk. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in performing arts history, and/or Charlie Chaplin's life. Back matter includes an Afterword by the author, a list of Facts About Charlie Chaplin, and a list of Resources and Selected Books and Movies.
calistareads's review against another edition
3.0
I did not think the artwork of this book helped to tell the story. It’s a hodge-podge of watermarks or colors or shapes and I don’t think it added to the story. For me it detracted from the story and I almost gave this 2 stars because of the artwork. I mean I really don’t like it. We are trying to make sense of this famous actor and his past and the artwork helps to throw it into a faded memory of is it real or not?
The facts about Charlie Chaplin were good. I loved the Robert Downey Jr. movie of this. It’s an incredible bit of acting there. Charlie had a rough childhood for sure. He figured out early on what his talents were making grown-ups laugh.
The thing I like most about this is that the author highlights the fact that Charlie figured out that humor often could make you want to laugh and cry. The sad can be funny and that’s what made him famous. He found humor in the sad parts of life.
I wasn’t alone about this story. Nephew hated this story. He didn’t know Charlie Chaplin and this book made him not care one bit. My child was not drawn into this story and as a matter of fact, it was the artwork that kept him from getting in the story. It’s a shame. He gave this 1 star and I had to read him some Captain underpants to make up for how much he didn’t like the story.
The facts about Charlie Chaplin were good. I loved the Robert Downey Jr. movie of this. It’s an incredible bit of acting there. Charlie had a rough childhood for sure. He figured out early on what his talents were making grown-ups laugh.
The thing I like most about this is that the author highlights the fact that Charlie figured out that humor often could make you want to laugh and cry. The sad can be funny and that’s what made him famous. He found humor in the sad parts of life.
I wasn’t alone about this story. Nephew hated this story. He didn’t know Charlie Chaplin and this book made him not care one bit. My child was not drawn into this story and as a matter of fact, it was the artwork that kept him from getting in the story. It’s a shame. He gave this 1 star and I had to read him some Captain underpants to make up for how much he didn’t like the story.
wordnerd153's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting peek at Chaplin’s childhood and beginnings of his most famous character.
aprilo23's review against another edition
3.0
This was cute, but I don't think it did much to make Chaplin more accessible to kids. A lot of details seemed geared toward adults who are already silent movie / Chaplin fans.
csd17's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like there is a better way to present the tale of Charlie Chaplin... and any book that leaves out his mockery of a certain man with a "stache" doesn't tell the whole story, in my opinion.
daniellejones's review against another edition
These illustrations are off the charts!
kesterbird's review against another edition
3.0
--Received as part of librarything's early review program--
This book is 100% fine, but not much of a standout. I (adult) learned some things about Chaplin but the kid I was reading to was insufficiently engaged. The illustrations are abstract and kinda cool, but not of the type to grab a kid and lead to them listening to text which seems, honestly, geared more at adults.
This book is 100% fine, but not much of a standout. I (adult) learned some things about Chaplin but the kid I was reading to was insufficiently engaged. The illustrations are abstract and kinda cool, but not of the type to grab a kid and lead to them listening to text which seems, honestly, geared more at adults.
tashrow's review
4.0
Growing up on the streets of London, Charlie Chaplin was raised by a single mother who performed as a singer. At age five, Charlie himself started to perform in place of his mother as her voice quit. The family ended up in the poorhouse and when they managed to get back out, Charlie went to school. That was where he learned of his love of attention and the spotlight. At age nine, Charlie joined a boys theater troupe and among other jobs, he worked his way up on stage. Eventually, he made his way to the United States. He starred in a movie but when people in the industry saw how young he was, they doubted him. With one clever costume choice though, Charlie Chaplin invented his iconic tramp character.
Golio’s poetic approach to this nonfiction picture book suits the subject completely. It has a sense of lightness and playfulness with plenty of optimism in the face of hardship. Even as Charlie’s childhood turns bleak, there are moments of light and wonder too. The writing is rich and invites readers to better understand the subject and where he came from. I’d recommend sharing some Chaplin clips with children so they can watch the genius at work. Young’s illustrations are exceptional. The images are bold and full of strong graphical elements. Using colorful silhouettes, they play with light and dark, whimsy and reality.
A mix of humor and sadness, just as Chaplin would have wanted it. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
Golio’s poetic approach to this nonfiction picture book suits the subject completely. It has a sense of lightness and playfulness with plenty of optimism in the face of hardship. Even as Charlie’s childhood turns bleak, there are moments of light and wonder too. The writing is rich and invites readers to better understand the subject and where he came from. I’d recommend sharing some Chaplin clips with children so they can watch the genius at work. Young’s illustrations are exceptional. The images are bold and full of strong graphical elements. Using colorful silhouettes, they play with light and dark, whimsy and reality.
A mix of humor and sadness, just as Chaplin would have wanted it. Appropriate for ages 6-9.