What makes you smile about Worcester?

That’s what the city asked its children, and the children answered with terrific drawings and captions.

More than 1,000 responses were submitted, and some were chosen for the city’s “Smile Book,” an alphabet book featuring different aspects of Worcester.

“It is a view into how children see our city and why they are proud to live here,” Kim Davenport said. She is the managing director of Birth to 3rd Grade Alignment at Edward Street Child Services.

The book is also a powerful way to mix literacy, fun, and the civic engagement of children who have a truly unique view of their city. As we’ve blogged, Providence produced a similar book several years ago.

 

 

“Some of what the children came up with were trees, visiting the EcoTarium, and jumping into pools and lakes,” the Worcester Telegram and Gazette reported.

The book was released on World Smile Day, the first Friday in October. The day was launched by Harvey Bell, the commercial artist and Worcester native who invented the classic smiley face. The day is devoted to “smiles and kind acts throughout the world.”

Sponsored by the Hanover Insurance Companies, the book also had the support of

• The children of Worcester Schools

• Edwards Street Child Services

• Worcester Historical Museum, and

• Worcester Reads

The Smile Book isn’t on line, but:

*      a copy of the book will be given to each school for their on-site library.

*      special hard copy editions are being distributed to each of Worcester Public Library’s locations, and

*      limited edition copies are being sold at the Worcester Historical Museum, proceeds will benefit Worcester Reads