This Makes Me Happy - (Rodale Kids Curious Readers/Level 2) by Courtney Carbone (Paperback)

Number of Pages: 32
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Sub-Genre: Social Themes
Series Title: Rodale Kids Curious Readers/Level 2
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Rodale Kids
Age Range: 4-8 Years
Book theme: Emotions & Feelings
Author: Courtney Carbone
Language: English

About the Book

The first in an early reader series designed to help kids name and process their emotions in a fun and empowering way. A young girl goes on a field trip to the fair, but when her pesky nut allergy keeps her from having a treat with her class, the girl learns that even the happiest of days can have unhappy moments. Includes stickers. Full color. Consumable.

Book Synopsis

This Makes Me Happy follows a young girl on a field trip to the fair, complete with a roller coaster, pie-eating contest, and petting zoo! But when her pesky nut allergy keeps her from having a treat with her class, the girl learns that even the happiest of days can have unhappy moments. By reflecting on her trip and recognizing the many feelings that arose during it, she is able to feel less overwhelmed--and more confident about her positively happy day.

While children enjoy expressing themselves--be it through laughter or tears--they don't always have the words to articulate their emotions. The Dealing with Feelings series is designed to give voice to what's brewing inside, showing children how to name their emotions as they also learn to read. Colorful stickers are included in each book.

Review Quotes

"An elementary-age child recounts what she doesand feels during a school field trip to a county fair. Clean, colorful graphicdesign, first-person narration, and short declarative sentences bode well forthe inaugural entry in the Dealing with Feelings series. The narrator is awide-eyed girl with brown skin and textured, black hair, and her fellowstudents represent every possible complexion. The teacher is also brown, withstraight hair....A mindfulness activity on the bus and a review of whatproduced the child's positive feelings makes it clear that teaching emotionalvocabulary is the book's primary mission...The book is potentially useful as adiscussion starter about feelings." - Kirkus Reviews

"In this addition to the Dealing with Feelings series, anAfrican-American child describes her class field trip to the county fair, illustrated in Kushnir's cozy, upbeat art. At the fair, she goes on a rollercoaster, has her face painted, and visits the petting zoo. Even a happy day hasminor setbacks--the girl can't have any bake sale treats because she is allergicto nuts: "I feel left out. My teacher sits down next to me. She has allergies, too." On the bus ride back, she reflects on her busy day: "Many thoughts bouncearound in my head. I focus on them one at a time. What am I feeling? I amfeeling happy." Carbone models being mindful of all emotions, while suggestingthat happiness is not always about what occurs but how one chooses to look atcircumstances. Ages 4-6. (Apr.)" - Publishers Weekly

"Children will understand that happiness can come in a ball of other emotions, like excitement, feeling part of a team, and helping. This bright, appealing offering could be used as a discussion starter with primary-grade students."-- Booklist

About the Author

COURTNEY CARBONE studied English and creative writing in the United States and Australia before becoming a writer and editor in New York City. Her favorite things include board games, stand-up comedy, bookstores, and brick-oven pizza. Visit her at CourtneyCarbone.com and follow her on Twitter at @CBCarbone.

HILLI KUSHNIR is an illustrator with more than a decade's experience illustrating kids' books, greeting cards, and branding materials. She lives in New York City, where she drinks too much coffee, raises a couple of kids, grows and kills house plants, and has conversations with passerby dogs. Visit her at http: //hillik.com.