Suitabook
The lost laugh
Michelle Preen
CC BY 4.0Credits & Licence
Originally published by Book Dash. Writer: Michelle Preen. Illustrator: Karen Lilje. Designer: Wilna Combrinck. Editor: Helen Moffett.
Cover resized and converted to WebP; artwork unchanged. Suitabook’s AI guidance is a separate assessment.
Original Book on Book Dash: The lost laugh (opens in a new tab)- Reading
- Pause when Spotty asks the animals for help and invite your child to notice their expressions. Let them decide whether to discuss the ending or simply enjoy the repeated laughter.
- Themes
- Sadness and laughter: Spotty says he became sad and his laugh disappeared; after Monkey tickles him, he laughs and says he is happy. The story connects Spotty's laughter with feeling happy, while also showing him seek help from others.
- Worry about others' reactions: Spotty says his big teeth make everyone frightened; the other animals later laugh with him. The story raises Spotty's concern, but does not establish whether the animals were frightened or how they understood his worry.
- Worth knowing
- Spotty is described as very sad, and he believes his big teeth frighten everyone. The story resolves this concern quickly through tickling and laughter.