What could be worse for a grumpy old clown than to have a permanent smile spread across his face? That's the terrible misfortune of Mr. Brown, whose exterior doesn't reflect his inner feelings of alienation toward a society that expects him to perform on cue. Frustrated by his situation, he retreats to his house to concentrate on his balloon art, the one practice that makes him happy. By the end, Mr. Brown has developed a real smile and embraced the friendship of the townspeople that make up his community. Told in verse, this read-aloud story offers wild and colorful word visuals sure to spark the imagination of children and adults alike.