Starred ReviewStarred Review My Happy Life
From the Series My Happy Life
A New York Times Notable book and first in the acclaimed series for beginning readers.
Dani is probably the happiest person she knows. She’s happy because she’s going to start school. Dani has been waiting to go to school her whole life. Then things get even better—she meets Ella Frida by the swings. After that, Dani and Ella Frida do everything together and become best friends. But then something happens that Dani isn’t prepared for…
A perfect first chapter book for children aged five and up, full of social-emotional learning and sweet and funny illustrations, from one of the world’s greatest illustrators, Eva Eriksson.
Young independent readers who like Kate DiCamillo or the Ivy & Bean series will be hooked on the 7-book series once they start.
“If only all early chapter books were this beautifully conceived.”—The New York Times
Rose Lagercrantz is a popular Swedish author of books for children as well as for adults. She has received many of the top Swedish literary awards, including the August Prize and the Astrid Lindgren Prize.
Praise for My Happy Life
“Working beautifully with the text and usually given more space on the page, these sensitive ink drawings feature clean lines that express emotions through every character’s stance, gesture, and expression. A quietly compelling book for young readers.”—Booklist, Starred
“Sweet and salty – umami for the emerging reader.”—The Horn Book
Read all the My Happy Life series:
My Heart is Laughing
When I Am Happiest
Life According to Dani
See You When I See You
Where Dani Goes, Happy Follows
All’s Happy That Ends Happy
| Format | Your Price | Add |
|---|---|---|
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978-1-877579-35-6
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$13.49 | |
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978-1-77657-099-7
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$23.99 | |
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978-1-77657-526-8
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$19.99 |
Awards
- Notable AwardNotable Award USBBY Outstanding International Books List
- Notable AwardNotable Award Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
- Notable AwardNotable Award ALA Notable Children's Books
- Notable AwardNotable Award New York Times Notable Children's Books
Reviews
The Horn Book Magazine
“The book’s open layout, with its plentiful white space, welcomes the new reader, as does the prose style….Ericksson’s beautifully composed line drawings are full of personality and emotion, and the whole book speaks of care and artfulness in its production.” —The Horn Book Magazine
Starred ReviewStarred Review Booklist
“This simply written chapter book tenderly portrays the happiness of a child whose life is in balance, as well as the colossal, unremitting, inconsolable sorrow of one who is suffering loss. . . . The clarity and simplicity of the writing are balanced by the verve and finesse of Eriksson’s captivating illustrations. . . . A quietly compelling book for young readers.”—starred, Booklist
The New York Times Book Review
“For young middle grade readers, a new chapter book, ‘My Happy Life,’ takes up the subject of resilience in such a natural and powerful way, children won’t remotely feel like they’re reading a manual….If only all early chapter books were this beautifully conceived.” —The New York Times Book Review
Starred ReviewStarred Review School Library Journal
“The illustrations complement the narrative well, and will enable younger readers to feel a sense of accomplishment for tackling a lengthy chapter book….The difficult subjects are handled gracefully, allowing children to realize that happiness comes and goes, and that everyone has hardships to face.” —starred, School Library Journal
Kirkus Reviews
“A sweet read for both children and their parents, who may be grateful at the reminder of emotional complexity lurking behind their children’s smiles.”—Kirkus Reviews
Starred ReviewStarred Review Publishers Weekly
“To understand the true meaning and value of resilience, look no further than the 20 brief chapters of this early reader…beautifully translated into spare, lyrical prose….As Eriksson’s emotionally astute and often endearingly funny pencil drawings show, Dani does indeed have much to be happy about.”—starred, Publishers Weekly
