A frog explains how smiling is a great way to get through life's ups and downs.

Rhyming text and heart-shaped illustrations of zoo animals introduce a range of emotions from "snappy as a crab" to "peaceful as a portly walrus lounging on a towel."

"What is Bear to do when he wakes up one day to find his Smile gone?"--

Soon after Grandpa's teeth disappear from a glass of water near his bed, Inspector Rate has the whole town under investigation.

"Smiley Shark loves to smile, but everyone is afraid of his big, sharp, toothy grin. Catfish, Sea Star, and Octopus all swim away from Smiley Shark as fast as they can. His teeth are too scary! When all the fish are caught in a net, though, they need Smiley Shark's help. A big smile is just what is needed to save the day!"--Back cover.

A little girl searches all over the house for the smile that seems to have deserted her.

Simple text about things that make one smile and repetition of the letters "gr" help readers learn how to use this sound.

Lyle goes to great lengths to entertain his furry friend.