Layla's Happiness - by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie (Hardcover)

About the Book

Seven-year-old Layla loves life! So she keeps a happiness book. What is happiness for her? For you?

Book Synopsis

★ 2020 Ezra Jack Keats Award Winner for Illustration
★ 2020 Ezra Jack Keats Honor for Writing
★ A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of 2020

"Affirmations of black childhood abound, and whimsical wishes float like dandelion fluff. Equally as imaginative as the lyrical text, Corrin's boldly colored, textured illustrations beautifully capture the buoyant spirit of Layla, a brown girl exuding confidence, comfortable in her own skin--indoors and out. Well-illustrated poetry of the best kind that will leave sunshine in its wake." --STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus

Seven-year-old Layla loves life! So she keeps a happiness book. What is happiness for her? For you?

Spirited and observant, Layla is a child who's been given room to grow, making happiness both thoughtful and intimate. It's her dad talking about growing-up in South Carolina; her mom reading poetry; her best friend Juan, the community garden, and so much more. Written by poet Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin, this is a story of flourishing within family and community.

Review Quotes

STARRED REVIEW! ★ "Tallie honors the many ways children define happiness...A handsome and helpful primer on self-reflection and a mirror to urban black and brown children, this joyous title could be well paired with Samantha Berger's What If."--School Library Journal

STARRED REVIEW! ★ "Well-illustrated poetry of the best kind that will leave sunshine in its wake."--Kirkus Reviews

2020 Ezra Jack Keats Award for Illustration
2020 Ezra Jack Keats Honor for Writing
A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of 2020

"With Corrin's layered, whimsical illustrations, each page is a snapshot of a simple moment that adds up to an abundant life, urban yet very much in tune with nature. The effect is both laid back and meaningful -- an invitation to answer for yourself."--The New York Times

"A celebration of community, but also individualism, what Layla loves and what makes her happy is so specific to her and her family's experience. In uncertain or challenging times, books like Layla's Happiness are bright spots of inspiration. They carry us through and remind us of the gifts we have. The gifts of people in our lives or small moments in nature or even a favorite color."--The Eric Carle Museum

"Seven-year-old Layla loves a lot of things: nighttime, purple plums, eating spaghetti without a fork, and listening to her parents tell stories and read poems. Both whimsical and firmly rooted in a realistic city setting, this deceptively simple story is packed with beautiful, small moments to cherish. Moreover, Layla's sunshiny view of existence is infectious, and will inspire kids to share what excites them."--Book Riot

"When you're sadder than an Adele song, read Layla's Happiness. Leave it to a seven year-old to teach you more about happiness than a Positive Psychology expert. Our protagonist, Layla, is all Good Vibes as she bestows the reader with the eyes of a precocious child, seeing the world with delight and wonder, emphasizing a love of family, friends, and nature. The full moon is one of Layla's favorite things because 'it sits in the sky like a wish flower's sister.' This incredibly swoony book teaches you to relook at your surroundings and appreciate life's simple pleasures, ie. eating spaghetti sans fork."--JM Farkas, Literary Hub

About the Author

Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie was born in Queens, NY. Tallie has performed poetry & taught in the US, Namibia, The Netherlands, Belgium, & England. She has also authored several collections of poetry and is the mother of three galaxies who look like daughters.

Ashleigh Corrin is a graphic designer by day, illustrator by night, residing in Northern VA with her husband. Her talent comes from her late Grandmother who has inspired Ashleigh to serve people's unique stories with creativity. With her illustrations, Ashleigh hopes to contribute to good laughs, nostalgia, vulnerability, transparency, and seeing the light in ourselves and others.