‘The book, All the Ways to Be Smart, aims to teach children that there is more to being smart than reading to maths and encourages the pursuit of the arts.’
The Leader
‘This collaboration between Davina Bell and Alison Colpoys is a celebration of what makes us us, of the strengths that we all have within ourselves – whether we’re dreamers, adventurers, readers or artists … The illustrations are whimsical and fun, with a beautiful colour palette.’
Noveltea Corner
‘All The Ways to be Smart is the most beautiful, brilliant new picture book. Full stop. Charming illustrations in pretty, appealing colours? Check. Great rhyming text that is super fun to read aloud? Check. A wonderful message conveyed in a beautiful non-judgey way? Check. The book is a joyful celebration of childhood and all the different, unique ways to be smart.’
Courtney Adamo, Babyccino
‘This book needs to be in the hands of every policy-maker in the sphere of Education, in every classroom, in every library, and in every home … This book is an utterly glorious call to celebrate your strengths and your own unique smarts.’
Oh Creative Day
‘After a colourful, rollicking, joyful, rhyming read there is only one word for this book: wise. Good scores in a test are great but the importance of celebrating the creative, collaborative and just plain quirky things that make us emotionally intelligent and well-rounded could not have been better portrayed.’
Readings ‘Best Picture Books of 2018’
‘A celebration of creativity and emotional intelligence featuring a diverse cast of kids. A reassuring read for primary-aged children who feel like a round peg in a square, academic hole.’
Philippa Chandler, Guardian Australia
‘From the dynamic partnership of Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys comes a tender, funny, and exquisitely illustrated picture book celebrating the myriad talents that each child brings to the world, from being able to read or tell the time to being good at blowing bubbles.’
Good Reading
‘All the Ways to be Smart is a brilliant, gorgeous book bursting with unconventional magic spells that prove science is so much more than mere logic, and that being smart is above all about being happy. A feast for the eyes and heart, full of foolproof methods to enchant and inspire young minds.’
Mika Provata-Carlone, Bookanista
‘This book teaches children that intelligence is so much more than being book-smart. Intelligence can also mean being empathetic, artistic, athletic, and inquisitive. It places value in every kind of talent, from ‘building boats from boxes’ to ‘kindness when there’s crying’. All the Ways to Be Smart is the perfect feel-good bedtime story that I can’t wait to gift this Christmas.’
Sherry Landow, Writing NSW
‘All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell and Allison Colpoys is a joyous picture book that enthusiastically celebrates the power of the imagination while challenging stereotypes about what it means to be clever. With its flawless rhymes and winning illustrations, this book has all the makings of a classic.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘This colourful picture-book provides an alternative perspective on the culture of academic achievement by celebrating a diversity of talents … Allison Colpoys’s illustrations celebrate a diversity of cultures too, offering a parade of beauty that will give children of all backgrounds and interests confidence in their own uniqueness.’
Sara Keating, The Irish Times
‘This gorgeous rhyming picture book reinforces the message that smart isn't just ticks and crosses — it's also about being creative, adventurous, and having a good imagination … A triumph.’
Natasha Harding, The Sun
‘It’s highly likely every child who reads this book will find something in it that shows they too are smart.’
School Reading List
‘I think this unique book with colourful illustrations by Allison Colpoys can help children feel proud of what makes them special.’
Mummy in the City
‘Vibrant, fun and empowering … it should be on everyone's bookshelf!’
The Book Nook bookshop
‘A wonderful book about all the different ways to be smart.’
A Bundle of Books bookshop
‘A joyous, life-affirming, imaginative celebration!’
Crediton Community Bookshop
‘All The Ways to be Smart is an earnest and charming book celebrating the joys of all the wonderful qualities that make children who they are. The subtle and unique message is that getting excellent grades is not what makes you smart. Rather, it’s the value of learning through play which is beautifully illustrated and will captivate children’s imagination throughout the book.’
Book Trust
‘What makes you smart? Is it making things, having a good imagination, being kind? This book lets every small person know they have something special.’
Owl and Pyramid bookshop
‘A wonderful book for children. [There are] more ways than one to be smart.’
Urmston bookshop
‘A wonderful book, teaching children about their own qualities and personalities.’
Dartmouth bookseller
‘This picture book from Australia has glowing colours that seem to leap off the page and rhyming text that children will very much enjoy chanting … The book is a jumbly rumble of busy, bright colours and kids doing fun things – along with dinosaurs, birds and flowers and all kinds of creatures. It will appeal and help children who feel less than academically inclined to realise their own potential and do their best with their own talents and abilities.’
Elizabeth Schlenther, Books for Keeps
‘The perfect book for children suffering from anxiety about SATs and other school tests.’
Parent Talk
‘A glorious celebration … impossible to read without smiling. A powerful message told in a fun and engaging way!’
Sue Wilsher, Carousel
‘Simple, flowing words coupled with fluorescent illustrations (created from ink, charcoal, and pencil, then digitally assembled) give young readers a book brimming with examples of how they are smart all day, every day … Realistic illustrations show children of varying racial presentations joining sentient animals and benign, hairy monsters to confidently explore their world, real and imagined.’
Kirkus Review
‘[C]onfidence-boosting, jaunty and inclusive.’
Lucy Chambers, The School Librarian
‘An earnest and charming book celebrating the joys of all the wonderful qualities that make children who they are, with a subtle and unique message that getting excellent grades is not what makes you smart.’
Nursery World
‘In this cheerful exploration of all the nonstandard ways a person can be smart, the creators paint an expansive picture of intelligence that goes well beyond ‘being best/at spelling bees,/a tricky test.’ ... Colpoys’s ink, charcoal, and pencil drawings burst with a profusion of neon orange and green, literally highlighting each scene with an incandescence that more than matches the rhyming couplets’ jauntiness. A feel-good paean to individuality.’
Publishers Weekly
‘Brilliant.’
Mariela Summerhays, Buzzfeed Australia
‘This illustrated picture book is an ode the unique and wonderful qualities that make children who they are. It celebrates the special strengths, skills and passions in each of us.’
Fiona Stager, Tweed Daily News
‘A picture book that is joyous, life-affirming, and challenges stereotypes about what it means to be clever.’
Jane Sullivan, The Age
‘All the Ways to Be Smart by Davina Bell explores multiple intelligences in a way that small children can understand and appreciate. Every child is smart in his or her own way. Some of the ways highlighted in a pleasing rhyme include creativity, physical activities, music, emotional sensitivity, memorising information, math, and traditional academic knowledge ... The illustrations by Allison Colpoys are colourful and inviting, reminiscent of the early Dr. Seuss style ... This is a charming book to help children understand that everyone has special skills and talents.’
Catholic Library Journal
‘What does it mean to be smart? This beautiful book inventories all the unique, not-so-academic ways a person might be smart throughout their day; from being good at taking risks, to being kind, or knowing how to sit quietly and observe. A welcome message that is a delight to share with students with its gentle and warm rhyming text. The illustrations depict a wide array of diverse people and creatures in colourful scenes that take up the whole page. A gorgeous addition to school and public libraries, and a lovely gift for any child.’
Southeast Pennsylvania School Library Book Reviewers
‘For any child who has ever worried about being ‘smart’, Australian author Bell and artist Colpoys offer an expansive, reassuring look at the many ways there are to be that way ... The energy of Bell’s rhyming couplets reflects the very inventiveness the book celebrates, the ebullience of kids’ imagination, emotional intelligence and practical talents. Climbing trees, making slime, inventing games ... Colpoys’ illustrations, showing a busy, multiracial, multi-gifted cast, convey joyous variety and abundant compassion.’
Toronto Star
‘Beautifully tender and life-affirming.’
Nathan Filer, author of The Shock of the Fall
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