Smile Out Loud: questions to ask and activities to try
Twenty-five poems to read out loud and make you smile. Smile Out Loud is a joyful collection from Joseph Coelho, for confidence and cheering others up.
What age is it for? Smile Out Loud is best for ages 5–8. Good for: Poems to read aloud for confidence and happiness.
Smile Out Loud (Joseph Coelho and Daniel Gray-Barnett)
- Age
- 5-8
- Best for
- Poems to read aloud for confidence and happiness
Pick a poem to match the mood, and read it with lots of expression. Let your child perform one for the family.
What it helps with
- Boosting mood and confidence
- Reading aloud with expression
- Cheering someone else up
- Enjoying poetry
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “Which poem made you smile most?”
- “Which would you read to someone sad?”
- “Which is best read loudly?”
- “What makes you smile?”
- “Who could we cheer up?”
- “What would your happy poem be about?”
5-minute activities to try together
Cheer-up poem
Read a poem to someone who needs cheering up.
Smile list
Write a list poem of ten things that make your child smile.
Free printables: Smile Out Loud worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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If your child liked this, try
Rapunzel Is a Lettuce: Poems to Grow With (Joseph Coelho and Shirley Hottier)
- Best for
- Poems to explore, imagine and read aloud
- Age
- 5-8
Zim Zam Zoom! (James Carter and Nicola Colton)
- Best for
- Poems to read out loud and act out
- Age
- 3-7
SSSSNAP! Mister Shark (Neal Zetter and Chris White)
- Best for
- Joining in with a poem out loud
- Age
- 3-7
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.