All the Faces of Me - by Laura Alary (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Nana's nesting dolls are all exactly the same. White frills, rosy cheeks, and six perfect smiles. Except for the smallest one--unpainted, it is a raw peanut. So she decides to pull out her markers and give it a face. But then, looking at the others, she realizes all of their perfectly matching smiles don't feel quite right. She has many faces for each of her emotions. So, she decides to use her marker to fix them too. But, when Nana sees her dolls, she is furious. She believes that the dolls are ruined, but her granddaughter doesn't agree. "If those dolls were me," the little girl says, "no two would be alike." Sometimes she is happy, sometimes silly, sad, or reflective. The girl inherently recognizes that people are not composed of one emotion or expression, and that understanding your many emotions is a good thing. When her nana considers what her granddaughter is telling her, she begins to understand. She tells her granddaughter that she sees that the dolls are even more beautiful now, with each of their many faces, but that next time she should ask before making an art project out of her personal things. They embrace, and Nana's hug is big enough to hold all of her. Together they learn lessons about honoring your own emotions, while also respecting the feelings of your loved ones."--

Book Synopsis

A playful yet profound take on the phrase "I contain multitudes"

A little girl admires her nana's wooden nesting dolls that sit side by side on the windowsill. They all look exactly the same: pink cheeks, frilly aprons, and big smiles--except for the tiniest doll, which is small and unpainted and looks like a raw peanut. The girl thinks the matching smiles of all the other dolls don't feel quite right. After all, she has many different faces and feelings inside of her, and the dolls should too!

Starting with the peanut, the girl draws new expressions on all the dolls' faces, from toothy grins to grimaces. But when Nana sees what her granddaughter has done, she's furious and says the dolls are ruined. The girl disagrees. "If those dolls were me," she says, "no two would be alike." When Nana considers what her granddaughter is telling her, she slowly begins to understand. With a hug, and a warning to ask before embarking on any more art projects, Nana proudly returns the dolls to their spot.

This bright, uplifting story about honoring and acknowledging emotions also touches on communication skills, creative self-expression, and conflict resolution. Written with humor and honesty, it reminds readers that, just like nesting dolls, there's more to us than meets the eye.

Review Quotes

"A beautiful story about the complexities of being human."

-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

"Alary and Perera do a masterful job ... Sure to generate interesting conversations between children and the adults who read to them, this cozy, relatable book will find a place in homes, preschools, and elementary schools."

-- "Quill & Quire - STARRED REVIEW"

"Both realistic and thought-provoking, and the message of familial connection resonates."

-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database"

"Thoughtful and lovely."

-- "Sal's Fiction Addiction"