So Many Smarts!
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Did you know that there’s more than one kind of smart? It’s true! And no two people show their smarts the same way. Your blend of smarts is one-of-a-kind.
This book is all about different ways to be smart. Read on, and celebrate the unique smarts that make you…you!
Includes a Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Educators with information about different kinds of smarts and how everyone is a unique blend of smarts.
Synopsis:
So Many Smarts! introduces kids to a variety of “smarts” and teaches that them there is more than one way to be smart. It encourages readers to look at their own combination of brain power and skills to determine how they might learn best, excel, and be themselves. Based on the theory of multiple intelligences, this book shows kids that all of the different skills they have require various types of smarts as well as how they can celebrate their differences. A “Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Educators” offers more information about the different smarts outlined in the book and ways to support children exploring their unique strengths.
Awards
Reviews
“So Many Smarts!” introduces kids ages 4 to 8 to a variety of “smarts” and teaches that them there is more than one way to be smart. This charmingly entertaining picture book encourages young readers to look at their own combination of brain power and skills to determine how they might learn best, excel, and be themselves. Based on the theory of multiple intelligences, “So Many Smarts!” shows kids that all of the different skills they have require various types of smarts as well as how they can celebrate their differences. A “Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Educators” offers more information about the different smarts outlined in the book and ways to support children exploring their unique strengths, making “So Many Smarts!” an ideal and highly recommended addition to preschool, elementary school, family, and community library collections.
I didn’t know that I was smart about a specific thing or that you can be smart about anything. Anybody can have any smarts. No smarts are better than the other smarts. Like, “Oh, she’s smart about flowers, and he’s smart about gymnastics, and one of them is smart about love.” Some of them like science, math, exploring, music, writing, reading…you know all the stuff I’m talking about.
All the animals were standing on the log trees that they cut down that showed what they were smart about. I thought that was pretty cute.
Themes: Individuality, Smarts, Abilities, Differences, Social skills, Friendship
Opening: Did you know there’s more than one kind of Smart? In fact, there are many! Where do we start? No two people show their Smarts the same way. Each of us is different, and that’s A-Okay!
Synopsis: So Many Smarts! introduces kids to a variety of “smarts” and teaches them that there is more than one way to be smart. It encourages readers to look at their own combination of brain power and skills to determine how they might learn best, excel, and be themselves. Based on the theory of multiple intelligences, this book shows kids that all of the different skills they have require various types of smarts as well as how they can celebrate their differences.
Why I like this book:
Today I am singing the praises of Michael Genhart’s book. It wowed me! While reading, writing and mathematics are important skills, there are other skills that make children smart. So Many Smarts inspires children to explore a variety of skills through a delightful array of animals who show them many ways to be smart. There is a bear detective following clues. A flamingo playing a ukulele. A pelican playing catch on an iceberg. A fox reading a book. An ape drawing a rocket. A rabbit band playing and dancing to music.
The book emphasizes how the animals are good at different things. Children will have fun identifying the skills that make them unique. It encourages them to hone in on their own special capabilities and talents — their own special Smarts. This story will really resonate with children, parents and teachers.
Holly Clifton-Brown combines traditional painting, mixed media and collage with contemporary technique to create imaginative visual language. Genhart’s rhyming text flows nicely giving the bold illustrations time to tease children’s imaginations.
Favorite lines:
No one Smart is better than another.
Your own mix of Smarts will take you far, help you learn, do your best, and be who you are.
References: A Note to Parents, Caregivers, and Educators offers more information about the different smarts outlined in the book and ways to support children exploring their unique strengths. This is a perfect classroom book.
Michael Genhart, PhD 