This is Happy! – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Popcorn, aliens, octopus, adventures, happiness.
Children’s book title: This is Happy!
Children’s author: Anna Ross.
Children’s illustrator: Debi Gliori.
Genre: Children’s picture book.
Published by: Otter-Barry Books.
ISBN: 9781915659255.
Recommended for children aged: 3-5 year-olds.
First published: Hardback June 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: Encouraging mindfulness in younger children.
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Our review:
Popcorn, aliens, octopus, and adventures. This Is Happy explores happiness and how to find it, combining things all children love with bear hugs and an array of family fun. This book encourages young children to find happiness all around them and appreciate the little things.
Fun activities, both indoors and out, such as exploring nature, creating art, splashing in puddles, and looking at stars, create ‘mindfulness’ for children in a story.
For example, “Watch your footsteps disappear in the sand.” The wording and double-spread illustration cleverly brought to my imagination an array of childhood memories—not just images of playing on a sandy beach, having picnics, and looking for crabs, but also the sensory feeling of sand sinking between my toes.
The illustrations have a tranquil, serene, and curious feel, making this a lovely book to share for bonding. Aimed at young children, it encourages them to explore positive activities in a beautiful way.
Many thanks to Otter-Barry Books for the review copy.
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If you like This is Happy! by Anna Ross and Debi Gliori you might also like: our reviews of The Moonlit Campout by Ruth Symons, I Really, Really Don’t Like Parties by Angie Morgan, Happy Healthy Minds by The School of Life, You Got This by Rachel Davis and our resilience topic books list.
Browse our reception booklist.
