Pass It On

Not so much a story, more an exhortation to help make the world a better place is this joyfully uplifting book from World Book Day illustrator Sophy Henn. Life is so much more enjoyable if you are able – like the children herein – to find happiness in the ordinary everyday things of life – a smile, a chuckle or a hug for instance. But thereafter, even better is to pass it on to those around you.

Then what about those things of wonder or those that amaze? They too just have to be appropriately celebrated; so jump for joy, whoop it up and, no less important, pass it on …

Perhaps even more rewarding ultimately are those uplifting things that need a bit of seeking out – a hum or happy face maybe and you can even have one of the latter on a dull rainy day just so long as you respond appropriately ‘splash a smile and pass it on. ‘

What goes around, comes around, so the saying goes, and all this paying it forward is more than likely to find its way right back at unexpected moments. That’s the essence of this unashamedly cheery book. What better thing to have to hand on a dull day when you, or those in your care, need just that little bit extra to encourage finding inner happiness at every opportunity. It would be difficult not to with Sophy Henn’s stylish scenes executed in bold blocks of carnival colour and a riot of hues. And, I’m sure when you share this one, you’ll soon have your young audiences joining in the all-important message; mine certainly did.