One day a teddy who couldn't smile, met a little girl who loved him just the way he was…

'When Teddy Lost His Smile' is a story designed for children living with facial palsy.

The book aims to:

• Improve self-esteem in children with facial palsy by normalising the condition.

• Reduce feelings of isolation so they don't feel they are 'the only one'.

• Increase awareness of facial palsy in schools and the wider community.

It was written with the assistance of a number of child psychologists, as well as children and parents living with facial palsy, to ensure that the story is relevant and addresses the challenges of this condition for young children in a way that is appropriate and sensitive.

The story focuses on Teddy who Rosie buys at a toy sale. Teddy is very shy and he worries because he has lost his smile. Rosie who has facial palsy, shows teddy throughout the book that he shouldn't worry so much about his lost smile. Rosie's facial palsy is only spoken about in a very positive way and she is a confident, happy little girl with lots of friends.

The book explores some areas related to children with facial palsy, for example, Rosie gets sand in her eye at one point, and she eats food that is easier to chew. She also talks about her party tricks, such as being able to raise just one eyebrow and sneeze with one eye open. At the end of the book, Rosie asks her daddy to give Teddy a new smile with his sewing kit, but Teddy decides that he is happy the way he is.

The book is recommended for children aged 3 to 7. It is also a useful tool for an adult with facial palsy to introduce facial palsy to their child, or for teachers to educate their pupils about the condition.

Karen Johnson

Books