‘A Search for Happiness’ children’s book – BUY1GIVE1 free books for children campaign

For more information, click to watch our video below (please note this takes you to an external website, Youtube)

Zob is a grumpy alien on a visit to earth.

Can you help his new friends Jen and James show Zob how to find happiness by following the clues?

This colourful, rhyming activity book is ideal for introducing ideas and conversations about happiness and wellbeing – including beautiful artwork by Rosie Johnson (@rosiejohnsonillustrates), it’s perfect as a gift for 4-8 year olds.

The fun, interactive style encourages children to share their ideas, thoughts and feelings to start positive conversation whilst supporting emotional and social learning.

Why happiness and wellbeing?

Studies link happiness or wellbeing with improved:

* relationships * health * creativity * productivity * optimism * success * problem solving *

Themes include:

*Spending time in nature * Enjoying fun hobbies * Acting kindly * Sharing time together * Helping others * Keeping fit and practising skills * Resting and sleeping * Feeling thankful *

8 great reasons to read this colourful story picture book:

 * Enjoy stories and time together * Share positive ideas * Start conversations * Empower with knowledge * Talk about feelings * Build connection * Promote understanding * Support lifelong benefits of literacy *

With opportunities to recall positive moments and make some new happy memories along the way, will we discover happiness is closer than we think?

Children Learn as they Play

Inside you’ll find lots to do: there are questions, happiness clues to spot and lots of reminders about every day small things that make a difference to life. The book is designed for sharing with children of approximately 4 – 8 years old. Younger children will love the rhyme (which also supports language and learning skills) whilst older ones will enjoy the hide-and-seek format.

Noticing the ‘good stuff’

There are lots of opportunities for grown-ups to help children notice positive moments from the day, including a brief introduction to gratitude practice and a reference to growth mind set, i.e. improvement of skills through practice. And plenty of chances to incorporate your own families’ ideas into the story too.

Reviews:

“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)

“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

Praise for this book:

Dr Daisy Robinson is a GP at College Surgery Partnership, Devon and her interests include clinical education and young people’s health and wellbeing.

Daisy says, “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.”

A Review from the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine:

Thank you to Barbara Phipps of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine for her fantastic book review. The Society was founded by two GPS and a surgeon in 2016 and set up to promote the role of lifestyle medicine in improving people’s health and wellbeing. Members of BSLM come from a wide range of health backgrounds and include clinicians, health professionals, educators and researchers.

Book Review by Barbara Phipps 21st Dec, 2020

Brenda writes, “This is a beautifully illustrated book for 4-8 year olds written by Coral Bowley. Coral explains the thinking behind the book best herself:

“The aim of the story is to engage and remind kids about what’s important to happiness and wellbeing and to help parents start conversations about happy, healthy habits, so that these ideas can be discussed and reflected on in the important, formative early years.
The concept hinges around the idea that habits made in childhood can last a lifetime and providing knowledge around healthy habits at a young age may provide some benefit and perhaps even support some of the wonderful positive outcomes around longevity, health, friendships and success evidenced in wellbeing studies.
I chose a picture story book format to include opportunities for parent / child engagement, to empower parents with information during the shared activity (reading) which in turn supports children’s wellbeing (literacy).”

The book features 2 kids James and Jen and an alien called Zob (I mean really what’s not to like!?) who are searching for happiness. They find it when they engage in healthy positive experiences such as playing in nature, helping each other, being active, being kind and sharing with family and friends. This book not only has a beautiful message presented in a fun way which actively involves the young reader in the search, but it also has an abundance of colourful illustrations which will engage both children and parents.

A great gift for young kids and parents alike.”

Meet the Illustrator:

The artwork is by brilliant illustrator Rosie Johnson (@rosiejohnsonillustrates) who has turned happiness ideas into beautiful, engaging and drawings of positivity in the classroom, kindness in the playground and creative activities in the home. Rosie’s knowledge and skills from early years’ teaching experience helps her create images that both appeal to and engage with younger children.