Books to make you feel happy

Happy to Be Me

Author: Emma Dodd

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age:

With simple rhyme and colourful artwork, this picture book celebrates every bit of the human body and reminds us that each and eve…

Happy in Our Skin

Author: Fran Manushkin Illustrator: Lauren Tobia

Interest level: 2-4

Reading age:

It’s terrific to have skin: it keeps the outsides out and the insides in! Skin is always there and everyone’s skin is different. I…

Hapus / Happy (bilingual)

Author: Emma Dodd Adapted by Ceri Wyn Jones

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age:

Stori i godi calon am fwynhau chwarae, chwerthin a dysgu gyda’r tylluanod bach a mawr anwylaf.  

A heart-warming story about …

A Song of Gladness

Author: Sir Michael Morpurgo Illustrator: Emily Gravett

Interest level: 4-6

Reading age: 6+

Inspired by Michael Morpurgo’s own thoughts about the Covid-19 pandemic and his real-life conversations with the blackbird in his …

The Cat and the Rat and the Hat

Author: Em Lynas Illustrator: Matt Hunt

Interest level:

Reading age:

A raucous, rhyming tale with a fun tongue-twister text, bright neon artwork and  hilarious animal antics.

How To Be Cooler Than Cool

Author: Sean Taylor Illustrator: Jean Jullien

Interest level: 3-5

Reading age:

Chick suggests to their super-duper cool friends that they have fun without expecting to be cool – and everyone has a great t…

I Am Hungry

Author: Michael Rosen Illustrator: Robert Starling

Interest level: 2-5

Reading age:

This fun rhyming tale is a journey of imagination for readers, encouraging them to think of the craziest things they could imagine…

Happy Hector

Author: Polly Dunbar

Interest level: 3+

Reading age: 6+

A tale of playtime for Tilly and her animal friends, this time exploring themes of playing alone and playing together, feeling alo…

Super Happy Magic Forest

Author: Matty Long

Interest level: 4-5

Reading age:

This anarchic and amusing picture book deserves much praise for taking commonplace story elements - pixies, goblins, unicorns and …

Meet Happy Bear

Author: Carles Ballesteros

Interest level: 0-3

Reading age: 5+

Happy Bear is smiling, until suddenly – he’s not! How can we make Happy Bear happy again? A sweet first book for littl…

Things That Make Me Happy

Author: Amy Schwartz

Interest level: 0-3

Reading age:

This simple board book pairs rhyming items on each spread: ‘red socks – building blocks’. Illustrations are clearly presented on a…

Joy

Author: Corrinne Averiss Illustrator: Isabelle Follath

Interest level: 4-7

Reading age: 5+

This uplifting tale, which explores the nature of happiness and celebrates the touching relationship between grandparent and child…

If You're Happy and You Know It

Author: Annie Kubler

Interest level: 0+

Reading age: 3+

On every page of this board book are attractive, colourful illustrations of babies clapping their hands, rolling about on the…

Anna Hibiscus' Song

Author: Atinuke Illustrator: Lauren Tobia

Interest level: 3-5

Reading age:

This delightful story about a happy girl learning to express her feelings is a wonderful celebration of the joy of life

Pass It On

Author: Sophy Henn

Interest level: 3-6

Reading age: 5+

The little girl in this bright, happy book embraces the simple act of passing on smiles, laughs, chuckles and whoops to others.

I'm the Happiest

Author: Anna Shuttlewood

Interest level: 3-6

Reading age: 5+

This colourful book has a simple and important message for children. Everyone is different yet equally important.