Why a book about happiness?
Research suggests children’s happiness with life overall is declining in the UK [2]. Studies link happiness or it’s healthy counterpart, wellbeing with improved:
* relationships * health * creativity * productivity * optimism * success * problem solving *
With picture searches for children to find, ‘A Search for Happiness’ makes it fun for children to learn about 7 themes:
* Acting kindly * Spending time in nature * Sharing time together * Enjoying fun hobbies * Helping others * Sport and exercise * Rest and sleep *
With opportunities to recall positive moments and make some new happy memories along the way, will we discover happiness is closer than we think?
Watch the video on YouTube for more info* * links to an external website
source: [1] National Literacy Trust report Book ownership and reading outcomes published on website 6 Dec 2017. [2] The Children’s Society’s Good Childhood Report
We’re grateful that our first picture book ‘A Search for Happiness’ has received positive feedback and glowing reviews from professionals, parents and most importantly from children too. We’re happy to share a selection of reviews we’ve received below, but please also check out reviews and ratings in the shop, where we would be delighted if you would leave one too.
The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) was set up in 2016 to promote the role of lifestyle medicine in improving people’s health and wellbeing. This positive review was posted on their blog on 21st December 2020.
To read the full review, you can visit the BSLM website here*
Dadpad is the guide for new dads, developed with the NHS. Dadpad kindly interviewed me about ‘A Search for Happiness’ alongside the amazing and talented author or ‘Words And Your Heart’, Kate Neal. For the full interview click here*
Motherdom magazine CIC are a well-being site for maternal mental health and their aim is a world of happier parents. Their review of ‘A Search for Happiness’ includes these lovely words:
“Spending time with your child to read a book such as ‘A Search for Happiness’ is indeed a forward plan that will reap rewards that last a lifetime, and is set to become a beloved classic in your child’s library.”
Dr Daisy Robinson is a GP at College Surgery Partnership, Devon and her interests include clinical education and young people’s health and wellbeing.
“This clever new illustrated story and activity book has the power to bring parents, carers and children together through inspiring conversations that matter – Where does happiness come from? What’s important for a happy & healthy life? Research into these questions and the field of Positive Psychology is now embedded in many of the public health and workplace initiatives to support our wellbeing but it is rare to find it told from the perspective of our youngest children.
In a world of digital, competitive busyness, we often lament that there is no longer time to play and little incentive to read when we know these are crucial to healthy development and emotional wellbeing. Through simple stories and practices that can easily be made part of family life, children and adults alike can learn together how everyone can build lifelong wellbeing, happiness and positivity.”
Teachers and ex-teachers love the picture book and the learning opportunities it presents, with a raft of creative classroom ideas.
“As a teacher with a special interest in developing children’s life skills, literacy and positive mental mindsets, my reaction to this wonderful book has been, “Every parent and every Primary School classroom should have a copy of this invaluable resource!” This is such a clever book, delivering such a crucial concept: that our own mental health and our relationships with others can be improved through careful practices of kindness, gratitude, mindfulness, community and self-care.
Even the most reluctant reader will be engaged by the interactive, beautifully written, rhyming narrative and the wonderfully intricate, detailed illustrations. “A Search for Happiness” provides a wealth of teaching and learning opportunities around all-important subjects of well-being and community. There are wonderful, topic-based, open-ended conversations, careful consideration, and teaching/learning a-plenty on offer in this thoughtful, innovative, inspiring book.”
“Passing on the ability to see magic in the everyday and in the little things would be a phenomenal gift to our little ones. Imagine a generation who are no longer in the search for happiness, but have their own wellbeing figured out…That is exactly what A Search for Happiness… hopes to promote.”
Ex teacher, Bethan of Little Devon Magazine, February 2021. To read the full review you can visit the Little Devon website here*
“It is lovely to read a book which helps us to focus on and remember the important contributors to happiness that we sometimes forget in our busy lives.” Sally, mum to Jacob (8) and James (6)
“This clever new illustrated story and activity book has the power to bring parents, carers and children together through inspiring conversations that matter – Where does happiness come from? What’s important for a happy & healthy life?” Dr Daisy Robinson is a GP at College Surgery Partnership, Devon and her interests include clinical education and young people’s health and wellbeing.
“I love the idea of taking photos of having fun with friends so you can look at them and feel happy again. I also like the Zob sits quietly at the end of the day and considers what he is grateful for.” Anna, mum to Indigo
