It's International Day of Happiness! Around the world today, people are celebrating happiness. One smile can spread across the whole world. Let's make the world a little brighter today.
Check out our favorite books about joy, wonder, whimsy & happiness.
Things that make us happy:
Kara:
*but tea, not coffee
Kyle:
the kids:
*clearly we like StoryBots
picture books:
Oona
OH OONA WE LOVE YOU SO. The first in this incredible picture books series, Oona and her best friend Otto love to search for treasure...and often find trouble instead. This book is filled to the brim with joy, creativity and whimsy. We all could use a little more whimsy in our world.
Tiny, Perfect Things
Follow along as a child and their grandfather stroll through their neighborhood. You cannot help but be pulled into the child's curiosity and wonder turning an ordinary day into an extraordinary adventure. Every time we read this as a family, we immediately take a stroll around our own neighborhood searching out every tiny, perfect thing.
My Heart Fills With Happiness
This beautiful book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett (she's just SO good), serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy. The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. Monique Gray Smith wrote this book to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families. Representation matters. Learning from other people and their culture, matters. Read this book.
Where Happiness Lives
This really is the sweetest book. Three little mice. Three extremely different homes. Who among them is the happiest? The perfect story about comparing yourself to others and realizing what you have is exactly what you need.
*Link is through PaperPie which I am a consultant. All commission is donated directly to MOSS Kids.
I Am Golden
This beautifully lyrical and joyful story is a moving ode to the immigrant experience, as well as a manifesto of self-love for Chinese American children. I Am Golden brings so much light into this world. A must read.
Magic Like That
In this celebration of Black Girl Magic, a young girl finds confidence and excitement in the versatility of her natural hair and the way her different hairstyles reflect the natural world. REPRESENTATION MATTERS. LEARNING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE MATTERS. Showing happiness among a diverse array of people and characters is so important!! With radiant illustrations and poetic text, this book is truly magical.
Petra
The sweetest Little Rock, Petra, finds herself in constantly changing circumstances. This story celebrates the power of perspective and believing in yourself. And it comes in both a board book & a picture book! Plus think of the activities you can do after you read it; MYOP (make your own Petra), use imagination to change and act out who you will be, honestly the possibilities are endless.
The Little Book of Joy: 365 Ways to Celebrate Every Day
I LOVE THIS BOOK. It sits in our school room and has become a part of our every day routine. We all look forward to seeing what we be doing or learning that day. Each page offers a mindful prompt to encourage gratitude for things we have, every day. This little book honestly has provided our family with so much joy & I am excited to share more of what we do each day on our instagram @mosskidsbooks!
Oh happy day! Remember to visit your local library to check out some of these books. If they don't have it, request they purchase it! It is so important for your library to hear from you & so important for us all to request diverse & inclusive books. Need help with the process or a list to share? Reach out to us at hello@mosskidsbooks.com we would love to help you!
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