Grow Happy
by Jon Lasser (Author) Christopher Lyles (Illustrator)
My name is Kiko. I'm a gardener. I grow happy. Let me show you how. Kiko is a gardener. She takes care of her garden with seeds, soil, water, and sunshine. In Grow Happy, Kiko also demonstrates how she cultivates happiness, just like she does in her garden.
Using positive psychology and choice theory, this book shows children that they have the tools to nurture their own happiness and live resiliently. Just as Kiko possesses the resources needed--seeds, soil, water--to build a thriving garden, she also has the tools to nurture her own happiness--including social support, choices, and problem-solving skills.
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Publishers Weekly
Creating and caring for a garden serves as an apt metaphor for self-care in this sensitive story from the father-daughter team of Lasser and Foster-Lasser. Kiko, a girl with a black bob, explains how she "grow happiness by making good choices" while simultaneously planting an actual garden--finding the perfect place to plant it, tending to it, and addressing challenges that arise ("I can't change the weather. But if the air gets too cold, I can cover my garden in a cozy blanket"). All the while, she offers parallels that show how she cares for herself in the same way ("Just like my garden, I have some bad times, too. I pay attention to those feelings"). Crinkly, textured papers bring pleasing warmth to Lyles's (Lucy and Lila) mixed-media collages, creating an atmosphere of positivity to match the girl's confident attitude. Ages 4-8. (Feb.)
Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.School Library Journal
K-Gr 2--Kiko is a special gardener: she knows how to grow happiness. For this task, Kiko makes smart choices, such as finding an ideal location to plant the seeds, providing plenty of sun and water, and caring for the plant until it starts to grow. Through this analogy, the authors communicate to kids that taking care of one's mind and body can result in a sense of happiness and well-being. However, unforeseen circumstances, in this case poor weather and a plant-hungry bug, can arise. Lyles's use of bold colors--yellow and reds are juxtaposed with shades of green and orange--lends a springlike quality to the illustrations and matches the sunniness of the subject matter. The medium-size print makes this a solid selection for read-alouds or storytimes. VERDICT A charming and to-the-point book for addressing mindfulness with young children, perfect for classrooms and libraries.--Kathia Ibacache, Simi Valley Public Library, CA
Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Sage Foster-Lasser is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, where she studies psychology and American studies. Grow Grateful is a follow-up to Grow Happy, her first children's book which she also co-authored with Jon Lasser.
Jon Lasser, PhD, is a psychologist, school psychologist, professor, and associate dean for research in the College of Education at Texas State University. Grow Grateful is a follow up to his first children's book, Grow Happy, also written with Sage Foster-Lasser. Jon Lasser resides in Martindale, Texas. Follow him on Twitter: @JonLasser. Christopher Lyles has illustrated numerous books for children, including When You Look Out the Window, Grow Happy and Grow Grateful. Inspired by vintage graphics and antique surfaces, he uses collage and mixed media applications to create his art. He lives in Simsbury, CT. Visit him at chrislyles.tumblr.com and follow him on Facebook: @LylesDesigns, Twitter: @ChrisLyles, and Instagram: @ChrisLyles.JUV029000 - Juvenile Fiction | Nature & the Natural World | General
Gardening
Happiness
Happiness in children
Emotions in children
