First published 2024
Ernest comes into the world as a content baby with a loving family and few grievances about life. He wishes more elephants existed, but otherwise finds the world satisfactory. His parents beam with pride when he takes his first steps, speaks his first words, and masters buttoning his winter coat. Ernest feels just as pleased as any child would. The problem lies in his face, which refuses to form a smile no matter how happy he feels inside. His family cannot accept this difference. They grow increasingly determined to coax a grin from him, eventually resorting to extreme measures involving elephants. When even these dramatic attempts fail, Ernest's family finally understands that love means accepting how each person naturally expresses joy. This story explores how families can bridge the gap between different emotional styles through patience and genuine communication.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking, whimsical
Tropes: found-family, unconventional-protagonist
32 pages · Hardcover · Margaret Ferguson Books