Where Happiness Begins

In this outstanding picture book, happiness is seen as a fragile pink ghost-like character, often close to the little girl, but sometimes elusive. A combination of gentle psychology and pastel colours, the story explains that sometimes we have to look for happiness, and that it can ‘go by different names’ – ie. receiving a present or rubbing a dog’s tummy. Sometimes it hides and ‘appears to have a will of its own’. It can feel frightening if you are trying something for the first time, but such trials can bring happiness in the long term. Sometimes sad feelings can get the better of happiness, but you can ‘find your way back home’ and realise that: ‘It was always there. Recognise and treasure it, because in the end, happiness begins with you.’ The expanse of white background pages, along with the dainty line drawings in soft pastels, is very reminiscent of the ghost-like aspect of the concept of happiness, and the illustrations are absolutely essential to the understanding of the hand-written text. The whole will want to be read and re-read, particularly by children who may be finding life less than happy at the moment. The sister book to this production, When Sadness Calls, was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal this year and is on the shortlist for the Klaus Flugge Prize.