Little Kids, Big Emotions: Happy
I’m beginning a new series of blog posts that will take place over the course of the next few weeks with a focus on emotional intelligence and identifying feelings. Little Kids, Big Emotions will work through different feelings, one by one with a book list that can help parents teach kids about the different types of emotions that a child may feel and throughout, I may also try to include some healthy ways in which to better understand what to do when you feel that way!
Today, I started off a little easier with the emotion – happy! And honestly, I think I’ll be better able to find books about being mad or sad, but, here are twelve books about being happy or glad. A great exercise to help kids find the things that make them happy is to share about them at the dinner table or bedtime. Name three things that made you happy today! Creating a focus on what makes you happy versus what really frustrated leads to a more positive outlook on life, can reduce stress, and help you sleep better. It’s worth a shot, isn’t it?
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Little Kids, Big Emotions: Happy
Augustus and His Smile by Catherine Rayner
Augustus the tiger was sad. He had lost his smile. So he did a huge tigery stretch, and set off to find it. In this book, the author and illustrator Catherine Rayner celebrates the beauty of the world and the simple happiness it brings us when we open our eyes to it.
The Big Book of Happy by Natalie Marshall
Here’s a big book for kids about things that make them happy!
This playful large board book from Natalie Marshall is sure to bring a smile to every readers’ face. Colourful, cheeky, and filled with delightful characters, this book is perfect for sharing.
Daniel’s Good Day by Micha Archer
The people in Daniel’s neighborhood always say, “Have a good day!” But what exactly is a good day? Daniel is determined to find out, and as he strolls through his neighborhood, he finds a wonderful world full of answers as varied as his neighbors. For Emma, a good day means a strong wind for kite flying. For the bus driver, a good day means pleases and thank-yous. A good day is bees for the gardener, birthdays for the baker, and wagging tails for the mail carrier. And, for Daniel’s grandma, a good day is a hug from Daniel! And when Daniel puts all these good days together, they make a lovely poem full of his neighbors’ favorite things.
Glad, Glad Bear by Kimberly Gee
Bear is so excited that today is dance day! He has his new leggings, slippers, and tutu, and he is ready to go. But when he gets there, he feels a little shy, a little unsure, and even a little afraid. What can make him feel better? Dancing, of course!
The Happiest Book Ever! by Bob Shea
What could be happier than a book with a dancing cake, a candy parade, and a hug monster? A book with all those things (and more) plus YOU! Your happy, happy thoughts will make this book super happy happy! But something seems off. Could it be that frowny frog? Perhaps we could shake some sense into him, or slap a Post-it over his face. No? Well then, maybe its time for that frog to SCRAM! Hooray! He’s gone! Time for a happy dance! Wait, what’s wrong? Now NO ONE seems happy! Let’s see if we can’t do something to truly make this the happiest book ever.
Happy! Pharrell Williams
Nominated for an Academy Award in 2014, “Happy” hit number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 list, and has topped the charts in more than seventy-five countries worldwide. Now Pharrell Williams brings his beloved song to the youngest of readers in photographs of children across cultures celebrating what it means to be happy. All the exuberance of the song pulses from these vibrant photographs of excited, happy kids. This is a board book full of memorable, precious childhood moments that will move readers in the same way they were moved by the song.
Happy Right Now by Julie Berry, illustrated by Holly Hatam
Happy Right Now brings a much-needed message to kids: it’s great to feel happy, but it’s okay to feel sad sometimes too.
Dealing with emotions can be hard. Children experience the same range of strong feelings as adults, but often don’t have the tools to deal with them. For children ages 4 to 8, Happy Right Now teaches emotional intelligence with fun, relatable imagery and clever rhymes.
Joy by Corrinne Averiss, illustrated by Isabelle Follath
Fern’s Nanna has not been herself of late. And when Mum remarks that all the joy seems to have gone out of her life, Fern decides to fetch the joy back. With her catching-kit at the ready, she goes to the park and finds joy in all sorts of unusual places. Whooooshh! But Fern soon realises that joy doesn’t fit in a bag, or a box or a tin! How will she manage to bring some back to Nanna? Emotional, funny and uplifting, this beautiful picture book has a strong message about empathy and maintaining loving relationships with our grandparents. Guaranteed to bring a bit of joy into every reader’s life, this story is a pure delight.
Miles of Smiles by Karen Kaufman Orloff, illustrated by Luciano Lozan
When someone smiles, who knows where it goes? Baby smiles at Mommy, Mom keeps it for a while . . . and then passes it on. As the smile begins its joyful journey—moving from a first-grade class to a soccer team, from Gran to a garbage man, even to a puppy—it spreads happiness throughout the community, bringing everyone together. A sunny picture book guaranteed to make kids SMILE!
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith, illustrated by Julie Flett
The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy.
International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy.
100 Things That Make Me Happy by Amy Schwartz
Hula hoops!
Double scoops!
Grandpa tools!
Swimming pools!
From beloved author/illustrator Amy Schwartz comes this endearing tribute to 100 everyday things worth celebrating. Readers young and old will get lost in the loving details of each illustration and the warmth of the simple pleasures that surround us all. A poster on the back of the book jacket features all 100 things as a collectible keepsake.
Perfect Square by Michael Hall
In brilliant, innovative collage artwork, Michael Hall illustrates how a happy square transforms itself after facing one challenge after another. Cut into pieces and poked full of holes? Time to become a burbling fountain! Torn into scraps? Grow into a garden! Day after day, the square reinvents itself, from simple and perfect to complex and perfect . . . and always happy.
