II recently mailed out numerous greetings to friends and family, each somehow conveying "Happy Easter!'. That called to mind the word HAPPY and an upcoming picture book that resonates with my own experiences and those of many young people who have blessed my life across the years. Telling/wishing someone to be/feel HAPPY is a kind thought, but is generally without power to make it so. Feeling HAPPY is often most noticeable in its absence. For those who tend toward a happy frame of mind, a "NOT HAPPY day, or, worse yet, an UNHAPPY DAY is immediately noticeable and distressing. For those whose baseline demeanor is more neutral or situation specific, not feeling HAPPY can be a more familiar condition, more tolerable.
Then there are some whose self-awareness of emotions trigger reflection and concern, an urge to change up the situation. If anything less than HAPPY, especially when surrounded by others displaying happiness or even wishing them HAPPY... that state of mind and heart can be even more uncomfortable. Such can be the case around holidays.
LOOKING FOR HAPPY is written by Ty Chapman and illustrated by Keenon Ferrell. It is not a holiday book, but certainly is one to celebrate. Everything about the art and text of this book radiates emotional storytelling. The front cover with its shades of blue background reveals the struggle of the narrator-young person whose daily life is typically joyous but who experiences a day of struggle. The back cover transforms to vibrancy, with brilliant rose and amber backgrounds, and shows this same narrator channeling their chance discovery of music, resolving the burden they carry throughout the text. Both the illustrations and text invite the reader into this personal account of a day of disconnection.
BEAMING BOOKS, May, 2023
The word "sad" is never used. After an opening spread revealing that the narrator is usually light and breezy with dancing feet (a hint of their eventual resolution), the problem of the day is felt through dragging feet, a noisy brain, and a chest full of rocks. The following spreads allow this self-aware character to initiate efforts to remove these uncomfortable sensations through reading, watching funny programs, and playing with friends. All are powerful choices, yet ineffective on this weighty, noisy, achy day. When Grandma proposes a walk to the park, even lively nature encounters fail to relieve this weighty day. Only when a chance encounter with music breaks through the gloom does the instrumental lilt weave its attraction. Soon the power of song has those leaden feet dancing, that noisy mind wrapping itself around melody and lyrics.
The author's effective but limited text wraps itself directly around this character's inner sensations and self-aware discomfort with the status of their mood. Portraying simple but often effective strategies to shake off such discomfort demonstrates agency and independence, as does their willingness to go along with Grandma's suggestion despite doubting it will help. Readers will identify with the inner journey and also root for success from start to finish. Illustrations both underpin the emotional progressions and expand the straightforward text with recognizable and familiar details of daily life. Color choices throughout are worth examining closely and could serve as mentor examples in art instruction.
The overall impact is not in the least didactic but instead unfolds like a brief and dramatic play, keeping readers attention throughout and inviting them to join in a celebratory dance and song at the end. In fact, if I were still in a classroom or had young folks in my home I'd incorporate this picture book not only for its full-hearted entertainment value, but to spark discussion and brainstorming for ways our best selves (like this character on the opening pages) can note and call on the aspects of the world through which we express happiness, holding those practices in mind for use when a day just gets us down.
LOOKING FOR HAPPY will release on May 2 and can be preordered now, HERE or wherever you purchase books. A copy was was provided to me by then publisher, BEAMING BOOKS, without a promise of review.
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