[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
”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 … Colpoys’ illustrations, showing a busy, multiracial, multi-gifted cast, convey joyous variety and abundant compassion.” Toronto Star
“Simple, flowing words coupled with fluorescent illustrations (created from ink, charcoal, and pencil, then digitally assembled) 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
“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, memorizing information, math, and traditional academic knowledge … This is a charming book to help children understand that everyone has special skills and talents." Catholic Library Journal
“Brilliant.” Mariela Summerhays, Buzzfeed
“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 it's gentle and warm rhyming text. The illustrations depict a wide array of diverse people and creatures in colorful 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
“This book celebrates the myriad ways one can be smart—knowing the right thing to say, being welcoming to a shy friend, using your imagination, taking chances. A needed reassurance that tests can’t measure everything, and that we need all kinds of kids to create a smart and inventive world. This book is comforting, inspiring, and fun!” Bethany Strout, Staff Pick, Tattered Cover
“An important reminder for readers of all ages that there are so many wonderful ways to be smart. Vibrant colours and charming whimsical illustrations fill the pages with character, and the rhythmic, rhyming text makes it a delight to read out loud. A necessary and joyful celebration of all the different things that we can do, from “reading, writing, spelling” to “caring, sharing, scaring” to my personal favourite “drawing very pointy stars”.” Sarah R., Staff Pick, Powell’s
“This should be required reading—in families, at workplaces, in schools. I love this beautiful, confidence-building book. I think everyone will find something here to make them feel better about themselves (and appreciate those around them).” Tegan Tigani, Bookseller Review, Queen Anne Book Company
“[G]orgeous, accessible, simple, true and brilliant. Everything I want in a picture book.” Jessica Peterson White, Bookseller Review, Content Book Store
“I remember feeling so frustrated as a child because I wanted there to be more than one meaning of “smart”. This book validates how everyone is smart in their own unique way. I want to share this book with every child (and adult!)” Lafe Cantrall, Bookseller Review, Oblong Books & Music
“Smart is as unique as each of us and there are infinite ways to be smart. What if we all grew up with this message, imagine the doors it would open and the opportunities it would provide. One of the most pivotal messages that children need to hear and illustrated with a brilliant spectrum of colours that leap from the page and right into the heart.” Jesica Sweedler DeHart, Librarian Review, Neill Public Library
“It’s time to rethink the meaning of smart — a word that’s often used to describe kiddos despite research that suggests it’s best avoided. This heartwarming rhyming read will have your kids celebrating all of the things — from being athletic to artistic and even empathetic or curious—that make them unique.”—MSN : 20 books that showcase diversity for kids
‘The perfect book for children suffering from anxiety about SATs and other school tests.’
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…”
23.5k followers @picturethisbook
‘A wonderful book for children. [There are] more ways than one to be smart.’
‘ All The Ways to be Smart is 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.’
This collaboration between Davina Bell and Alison Colpoys is a celebration of what makes us us ,of the strengths that we all have within ourselves—whether we’re dreamers, adventurers, readers or artists…The illustrations are whimsical and fun, with a beautiful color palette.”
‘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 di-nosaurs, birds and flowers and all kinds of creatures. It will appeal and help chil-dren who feel less than academically inclined to realise their own potential and do their best with their own talents and abilities.’
Books for Keeps - Elizabeth Schlenther
From the dynamic partnership of Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys comes a tender, funny, andexquisitely illustratedpicture book celebrating the myriadtalents that each child brings to the world, from being able to read or tell the time to being good at blowingbubbles.”
‘A wonderful book, teaching children about their own qualities and personalities.’
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 Smart is the perfect feel-good bedtime story that I can’t wait to gift this Christmas.”
Writing NSW - Sherry Landow
‘Vibrant, fun and empowering … it should be on everyone's bookshelf!’
[A] parade of beauty that will give children of all backgrounds and interests confidence in their own uniqueness.”
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.”
Readings Bookstore - Bronte Coates
‘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.’
All the Ways to be Smart is 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.”
Bookanista - Mika Provata-Carlone
‘A wonderful book about all the different ways to be smart.’
A Bundle of Books bookshop
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.
“Best Picture Books of 2018” 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.”
2018 Book of the Year The Younger Sun Bookstore
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.”
‘A joyous, life-affirming, imaginative celebration!’
Crediton Community Bookshop
This gorgeous rhyming picture book reinforces the message that smart isn't just ticks and crosses — it's also about being creative, adventurous, and having a good imagination … A triumph.”
The Sun - Natasha Harding
It’s highly likely every child who reads this book will find something in it that shows they too are smart.”
All The Ways to be Smart is 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.”
Babyccino - Courtney Adamo
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.”
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.”
Every page of this book in joyous, imaginative and life-affirming… All the Ways to be Smart is a celebration of what childhood can be, and it will likely become a classic.”
Books+Publishing - Louise Pfanner
I think this unique book with colorful illustrations by Allison Colpoys can help children feel proud of what makes them special.”
The book, All the Ways to Be Smart , aims to teach children that there is more to being smart than reading to maths and encourages the pursuit of the arts.”
‘I think this unique book with colourful illustrations by Alison Colpoys can help children feel proud of what makes them special.’
‘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.’
Guardian Australia - Philippa Chandler
2019-06-25
Simple, flowing words coupled with fluorescent illustrations (created from ink, charcoal, and pencil, then digitally assembled) give young readers a book brimming with examples of how they are smart all day, every day. Smart at making—like gluing wings on Halloween bats, concocting slime, and "building boats from boxes." Smart at understanding people—like offering sympathy, "saying hi and bye / to people when they feel all shy," and "being sorry when you're naughty." Smart at "growing, throwing, / bubble blowing," "crazy dances! Horsey prances! / Feeling scared but taking chances," and even "sitting still and quiet for ages." Realistic illustrations show children of varying racial presentations joining sentient animals and benign, hairy monsters to confidently explore their world, real and imagined. There is no narrative throughline as such, but double-page spreads are thematically unified. 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)
