Little Bear's Missing Smile

A parent would reach for this book when their child wakes up on the 'wrong side of the bed' or seems weighed down by a sadness they cannot quite name. It provides a gentle, low-pressure way to talk about the 'blue' feelings that can arrive without an obvious cause, making it a perfect tool for early emotional regulation. Little Bear wakes up feeling like his smile is missing, and despite his friends' well-meaning attempts to cheer him up, he learns that it is okay to simply feel his feelings until they pass. This secular, metaphorical story is ideal for children aged 3 to 7 who are beginning to navigate the complexity of internal moods. It offers comfort by normalizing the ebb and flow of happiness, reassuring both parent and child that a missing smile isn't something that needs to be 'fixed' immediately through forced cheer.