When Shane Dunphy starts work at Little Scamps crèche, he has no idea what he has let himself in for. He had not worked in an early years setting for many years and on arriving for his first day he found that two members of staff, Susan and Tush, are at the end of their tether and on the verge of resigning. The children themselves are completely out of control. At the centre of this chaos Shane finds Tammy, a pretty, doll-like five-year-old who is a mystery to everyone: she does not talk, or even smile, yet shows signs of remarkable intelligence. Through the course of the year, Shane attempts to bring order to this motley group and we learn the stories of some of the other children in the crèche: Milandra, an angry, violent four year old, the daughter of a Nigerian father and Irish mother; Rufus, a gypsy child who is direly neglected; Julie, a tiny, painfully shy little girl with Down's Syndrome. How is Shane ever to find a way to communicate with and ultimately befriend such diverse and challenging personalities? Then one afternoon, Gus, the class tear away, receives the gift of a blue crayon - a crayon he claims is magic. And Shane begins to wonder if this magic could be the answer to all his problems ... Shane Dunphy's moving portrait of a year at Little Scamps is a testament to the redemptive power of love and nurturing, of finding oneself through the care of others, as well as finding the secret of a girl who couldn't smile.
The Girl Who Couldn't Smile
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Book Description
The heart-breaking true story of how one man changed the lives of a group of children destined for a life in care, from the bestselling Shane Dunphy.
About the Author
In fifteen years as a child protection worker, Shane Dunphy saw children growing up in horrific situations. He also saw their amazing ability to survive those unpromising beginnings. Shane is now a tutor on childcare courses and a respected commentator on child protection issues.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this on a whim when it was a daily deal, and it's taken me a while to finish simply because I have been savouring it.
Dunphy is skilled at creating pencil portraits of both his charges and his fellow careworkers, and some of those portraits are heartbreaking. His compassion shines through, though he is also ready to confess the mistakes he made.
The stories that will most stay with me are the friendship that develops between Lonnie and the little Polish girl Arga, and Tammy, the eponymous "girl who couldn't smile". There are both remarkable breakthroughs and harrowing failures, and throughout one is given a real insight into the work. I'm not ashamed to say that it made me cry several times.
I shall certainly be looking out for more of Dunphy's books on sale, and if it weren't for the huge backlog of "to be read" books on my Kindle, I'd be buying at least a couple at full price.
Dunphy is skilled at creating pencil portraits of both his charges and his fellow careworkers, and some of those portraits are heartbreaking. His compassion shines through, though he is also ready to confess the mistakes he made.
The stories that will most stay with me are the friendship that develops between Lonnie and the little Polish girl Arga, and Tammy, the eponymous "girl who couldn't smile". There are both remarkable breakthroughs and harrowing failures, and throughout one is given a real insight into the work. I'm not ashamed to say that it made me cry several times.
I shall certainly be looking out for more of Dunphy's books on sale, and if it weren't for the huge backlog of "to be read" books on my Kindle, I'd be buying at least a couple at full price.
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Marie Evans
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Seem to have been waiting ages for Shane to release another book, and he hasn't disappointed. Can't praise this man enough the books are such easy reads, if you like true stories, buy this book and pretty sure you'll be buying the rest of the books he's written.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
What a fantastic book, just like all his others. Leaves you wanting to read more. I cant wait for another book from Shane. He really draws you into the story. We need an update book now for all his stories to update us on the progress these kids make.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
The girl who couldn't smile
Good book and very interesting and true to everyday life. Good the author gave an update of what most of the kids did in later years.
Published 15 days ago by MRS LORNA JAMIESON
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating
A fascinating insight into a world that we all hope never to inhabit. Told with compassion and understanding. It made me cry.
Published 20 days ago by Ellie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
I absolutely loved this book brilliant story shame about Tammy in the end . This is a must read and highly recommend.
Published 21 days ago by Janie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic read!
Highly recommended book by an inspirational writer. Seriously could not put this down. Have recommended this book to my friends
Published 1 month ago by mum01
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful
This was a book which should make everyone who works with children think more deeply about what is going on in the minds of youngsters who appear to be "difficult". Read more
Published 1 month ago by Carole
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not a bad read
I quite liked this book. I bit different from my usual type of book but still enjoyable. Having worked in a Nursery I could empathise with the Nursery workers.
Published 2 months ago by Hazel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great story.
Excellent story. Couldn't put it down. Will definitely read more of Shane Dunphys work. True stories are always far more appeali.
Published 2 months ago by Mrs S Gregory
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Loved it
Don't normally read stories like this but a friend said I needed to read and I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
Don't normally read stories like this but a friend said I needed to read and I couldn't put it down until I finished it.
Published 2 months ago by Books
5.0 out of 5 stars
compelling reading.
This book was definitely a book you didn't want to put down, brilliant from start to finish. I will read more Shane Dunphy books.
Published 2 months ago by jude
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unable to talk
This is a excellent book of how a worker came into a creche and transformed not only the creche but the lives of many of the children there as well.
Published 2 months ago by Rachel Hockridge
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