Not a Smiley Guy

This dry comedy stars a child who doesn’t smile no matter what his parents do. “Nice people,” Ernest reflects as an infant, looking up at his relations. “What a good family to be born into. The only thing that would make it better would be some elephants.” Sly, stylized mixed-media paintings by Kulikov (Stay Curious!) gesture toward Ernest’s obsession by hiding a pachyderm in every spread. Even as he perceives the elephants, though, Ernest finds that “aside from the interesting stretchy face sensation,” smiling is just not for him. When even the gift of a talking elephant doesn’t make Ernest grin, his despairing mother asks why the boy is unhappy. “I’m almost always happy,” Ernest explains. “I’m just not a smiley guy.” Further pushed to signal contentment, he agrees to do a little jig by way of exhibiting the emotion, though “maybe not every time.” Newbery Honoree Horvath lightly exploits the chilling narrative possibilities of living with, and occasionally conceding to, loved ones who both hold power and can’t see past their own expectations: “You don’t have to change,” the book states, “but for the people you love you do what you can.” Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–6. (Apr.)