SMILE: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry) written by Gary Golio and illustrated by Ed Young is a picture book biography for middle grade readers about the early life of Chaplin and how he developed his beloved character, Little Tramp.
The striking illustrations, rendered in collage and ink, capture the essence of Chaplin’s humor, namely, that comedy was both funny and sad. Throughout the book the reader can see and feel the world of slapstick as Chaplin is shown tripping and falling while his face steadfastly communicates his human bewilderment. The colorful book cover, an extreme close up of Little Tramp’s face, sets the tone.
Chaplin was born in England in 1889 into a family of performers. He was part of the singing act when he was but five years old. This experience gave him an early dose of applause and laughter as well as hard times. When his father left them Charlie, his Mum and brother were placed in a poor house for a time. At the age of nine he joined a theatre group for boys and taught children how to dance. As a young man he performed with the Fred Karno’s Speechless Comedians and went on tour with them to New York City where he was discovered by filmmaker Mack Sennett.
The lively narrative traces Chaplin’s meeting and work with Sennett which led to his world-wide success. In 1915 with some old baggy pants, a crooked cane, oversized shoes, a black bowler hat, a mustache and a crooked walk Little Tramp was born. The back material contains a list of suggestions where the reader can watch such films as A Dog’s Life, The Gold Rush and The Kid.
SMILE: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry) written in a vibrant style by Gary Golio and beautifully illustrated by Ed Young is well-suited for ages 9-12 (Candlewick Press, 2019).
Questions for SMILE: How Young Charlie Chaplin Taught the World to Laugh (and Cry)
This book maintains that comedy is based on both laughter and tears. What does this mean? When and where in Charlie Chaplin’s life did he experience laughter and when and where did he experience tears? Look again at the picture of Chaplin dressed as the Little Tramp at the end of the story. What is funny and what is sad about this picture? Study his clothing, his props, his facial expression (including his eyes) and his posture?
Have you ever seen a Charlie Chaplin movie? The author suggests in the back materials to this book to go on the internet to find footage from A Dog’s Life, The Kid or The Fireman. Take a look. What made you laugh and what made you cry? Write a short review of one of these films and give your review a headline that will make others want to see it.
How does the cut and paste technique of collage help to visually tell this story of Chaplin’s early life as a child and as a young adult? What is one of your favorite illustrations? Why?
