The Following review was contributed by: Molly Martin
A baby sitting by a babbling brook laughed out loud when he saw a frog leaping from the water. And that giggle heard by his mother, and some huge trees nearby became the sound traveling around the world. The baby’s dad, a boy on the beach and an old man who lived on the side of the mountain all were rewarded by the joy that giggle created. Children attending to their lessons, and a flock of flamingos as well as a herd of deer all felt the gladness engendered by that giggle.
Piper says, “what occurs at one point affects events at other places in the universe, per quantum experiments in nonlocality to demonstrate what Einstein called the ‘spooky action at a distance.’ In One Small Giggle: A Now and Forever Journey Writer Piper has created a delicate, fun book for use by parents and teachers to enjoy with their children.
One Small Giggle: A Now and Forever Journey is a nicely crafted work filled with bright, wonderful illustrations and a tale sure to please children and adults alike. The notion that a giggle surpassing human stumbling blocks to fetch us all into the immediate moment is a lovely thought.
Vocabulary used in One Small Giggle: A Now and Forever Journey indicates the work will be used more as a ‘read to’ work than a read alone for young readers.
Target audience of 3-6 er’s are sure to enjoy having the tale read to them often. The book will fit nicely in the school curriculum for use in a ‘family’ unit, or for pleasure reading. Parents will find the book offers much opportunity for discussion about happiness and how it spreads and affects more than those in the immediate area.
This is a book I would use in my own Kindergarten/First Grade classroom.