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Marin Darmonkow
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The Smile: A story about an Inuit girl, her parents, her dog, and her necklace Kindle Edition

by Marin Darmonkow (Author, Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 52 ratings
In a land where there is six months night and six months day, where the wind rarely rests, and food is scarce, a girl and her family struggle to survive. When mother and father leave to find food, Ahnah and her favourite dog, Akiak, must endure on their own, but by following a dream, they may bring a smile to more than one face.
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  1. Reading age
    5 - 10 years
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 19, 2022
  4. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  5. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  6. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1989661260
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From the Publisher

Illustrations are richly coloured in unique pictographic style - to perfectly match text and design.
The style became famous as "legend painting' or "x-ray art" throughout the 1960s and the 1970s.
FONTREAL: Five covers of other witty children's picture books

Editorial Reviews

Review

  • "Every book that Marin releases captivates me and will definitely do so to other readers. The Smile is another unique and interesting book by this very talented author." - K. A. Mulenga, Goodreads


"The crystalline fragility of the emotional arc that the author constructs in this strange and ethereal story is heartbreaking. I would give this ten stars if I could." - Nigel Tetley


"This is a beautiful story about the Inuit culture. Highly recommended!" - Hanna Kowalewska, Goodreads


"A beautifully illustrated story about an Eskimo girl and her dog. The artwork made the book special, but the story was also very touching." - Hypernium Lad


"This Children's Book Lives Up To Its Name." - Bill Jackman


"This is a beautiful story for both children and adults. Just wonderful." - Amazon


"I have read several of Marin's books in the past and I find his stories to be not only entertaining but they also carry messages of tolerance for others who may be different from us. To me, this is something that is needed in today's world and they are written at a level that children can understand." - P. Spurlock, Amazon


About the Author

A long time ago Marin was a child. He was one year old when his father passed away. His mother remarried and Marin was raised by his loving (but strict!) grandparents. He learned to read and write long before he went to school. Books became his imaginary parents and his fictional friends.Marin studied nuclear physics, art, and literature. He owned an advertising agency for many years.Oh, a few more things: he does not drive, he does not drink carbonated beverages, he has never consumed food from fast-food restaurants, he does not have a mobile phone, he has never used legal or illegal drugs, and he has never visited his GP (much to the disapproval of his wife). He started his small publishing house FONTREAL (children's picture books) in 2016. Marin lives with his wife and two children on the beach of the Atlantic Ocean - in St. John's, NL, Canada.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B1VYPCFW
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fontreal; 1st edition (May 19, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 19, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 10.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 52 ratings

About the author

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Marin Darmonkow

Marin Darmonkow

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Recipient of the Literary Titan Book Award, Wishing Shelf Book Award, Creative Child Magazine's 2023 Book of the Year, and 2024 American Book Fest finalist.

Marin is proud to be a self-published author. He writes the stories, illustrates the pages, designs the books, and publishes the titles. He even creates new fonts for his works to make them one-of-a-kind. His food-for-thought publications contain only natural ingredients. They are nutrient-dense and perfect for a well-balanced brain diet.

WARNING: Marin's books tend to inspire young readers!

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
52 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's story engaging, with one noting it's beautiful for both children and adults. The illustrations are colorful, and one customer mentions it's written at a level that children can understand. They appreciate the book's message, with one review highlighting its lessons on humanity and tolerance for others.

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6 customers mention "Story quality"5 positive1 negative

Customers enjoy the story of the book, with one noting it works well as a bedtime read and another describing it as beautiful for both children and adults.

"...In addition to the story, which would work well as a bedtime story, there are wonderful illustrations that are so colorful that part of me wants to..." Read more

"...I liked this book and think it would make a very good bedtime story book for kids however, I doubt that the target age group could read and fully..." Read more

"...It is very short and quick to read, but it would make a great bed time story on those nights when you don't have time for something longer...." Read more

"This is a beautiful story for both children and adults. Just wonderful." Read more

4 customers mention "Color palette"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the colorful illustrations and artistry of the book.

"...story, which would work well as a bedtime story, there are wonderful illustrations that are so colorful that part of me wants to put them up on my..." Read more

"...I think it is another great Marin book and, as always, his illustrations are wonderful." Read more

"...Darmonkow's gift for writing children's books is the artistry and colorful images he brings to the pages. One of my favorites is Gabriel and Jibreel...." Read more

"...Oh, I wish there were no illustrations. Sure, they're colorful, I'll give them that, but they've got some serious issues...." Read more

4 customers mention "Reading level"3 positive1 negative

Customers appreciate the book's reading level, with one mentioning it is written at a level that children can understand, and another noting it is a must-read for 8-12-year-olds.

"...that is needed in today's world and they are written at a level that children can understand. But I digress......" Read more

"This was such a cute story. It is very short and quick to read, but it would make a great bed time story on those nights when you don't have time..." Read more

"...several challenges and shortcomings that make it less than ideal for a young audience, at least in my opinion...." Read more

"...One of my favorites is Gabriel and Jibreel. It is a must-read for all 8-12-year-olds and to discuss with their parents as a viable lesson on humanity..." Read more

3 customers mention "Message"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's message, with one noting it carries messages of tolerance for others.

"...his stories to be not only entertaining but they also carry messages of tolerance for others who may be different from us...." Read more

"...And it has a lovely lesson to teach" Read more

"...all 8-12-year-olds and to discuss with their parents as a viable lesson on humanity. This review, however, is for his recent work, The Smile...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Jennifer C.
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story
    Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was a beautiful story about an Inuit family who is facing severe struggles and the possibility of starvation. While Ahnah's parents have gone foraging for food, she is left in the igloo with her dog. After a dream, she and her dog go to rebuild a monument and receive a reward for doing so.

    In addition to the story, which would work well as a bedtime story, there are wonderful illustrations that are so colorful that part of me wants to put them up on my own wall.
    Helpful
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  • P. S.
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very good bedtime story book
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I have read several of Marin's books in the past and I find his stories to be not only entertaining but they also carry messages of tolerance for others who may be different from us. To me, this is something that is needed in today's world and they are written at a level that children can understand. But I digress...

    I liked this book and think it would make a very good bedtime story book for kids however, I doubt that the target age group could read and fully understand the story and in discussions I have had with other adult readers, some of the words need to be explained in the text; do not expect everyone to know the meanings or to be able to understand the meanings from context. Some examples: Inuit, inunnguaq, and cairn.

    Other than that, I think it is another great Marin book and, as always, his illustrations are wonderful.
    Helpful
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  • Bunny Cakes
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This was such a cute story. It is very short and quick to read, but it would make a great bed time story on those nights when you don't have time for something longer. And it has a lovely lesson to teach
    Helpful
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  • Faith
    3.0 out of 5 stars Colorful, artistic images to capture a child's attention.
    Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Marin Darmonkow's gift for writing children's books is the artistry and colorful images he brings to the pages. One of my favorites is Gabriel and Jibreel. It is a must-read for all 8-12-year-olds and to discuss with their parents as a viable lesson on humanity. This review, however, is for his recent work, The Smile. Once again, the vivid, creative images are fun and playful. I counted about half a dozen words to look up their meaning. For instance, I have never heard of an inunnguaq. It would have been helpful to include its meaning: a stone sculpture shaped like a person. Also, a cairn: a man-made pile of stones raised for a purpose. It wasn't clear to me what that purpose was. Maybe for the parents to find their way home through the snow. This needs to be made clear for children ages 5-10. I would have liked The Smile to be a bit longer. I rate this story 3-Stars.
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  • hitchcockbe44
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great story.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is a beautiful story for both children and adults. Just wonderful.
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  • linda updyke
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024
    Wonderful story with beautiful illustrations
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  • Lauren Reichenbach
    4.0 out of 5 stars Unique story and illustrations
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2024
    A story about a family who has to endure harsh weather and survive in its elements. There is a message of hope in this story. The illustrations are colorful and unique.
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  • Andy Rose
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the artwork.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2024
    The illustrations complement the story nicely, adding to the overall enjoyment of the book. The simplicity of the drawings is cool, making the reading experience more engaging. If you appreciate good visuals in a book, "The Smile" is a solid pick.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Bill Jackman
    5.0 out of 5 stars This Children's Book Lives Up To It's Name.
    Reviewed in Canada on June 15, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The Smile is a beautiful, book of hope that is sure to capture your child's imagination and leave them wanting to read it again and again. The magical colours, words and images Marin masterfully blends create a feeling of happiness with every read. :-)
    Report

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