My Happy Life - by Rose Lagercrantz (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Dani is probably the happiest person she knows. She's happy because she's going to start school. Dani has been waiting to go to school her whole life. Then things get even better--she meets Ella by the swings. After that, Dani and Ella do everything together and become best friends. But then something happens that Dani isn't prepared for.

This New York Times Notable Book is a perfect first chapter book for children aged five and up, full of relatable experiences and social-emotional learning. Every page features lively, sensitive drawings from one of the world's great illustrators.

"If only all early chapter books were this beautifully conceived." New York Times Book Review

"Spare, lyrical prose. ...emotionally astute and often endearingly funny." Starred review, Publishers Weekly

"A quietly compelling book for young readers." Starred review, Booklist

Review Quotes

"A sweet read for both children and their parents, who may be grateful at the reminder of emotional complexity lurking behind their children's smiles."--Kirkus Reviews

"For young middle grade readers, a new chapter book, 'My Happy Life, ' takes up the subject of resilience in such a natural and powerful way, children won't remotely feel like they're reading a manual....If only all early chapter books were this beautifully conceived."--The New York Times Book Review

"The book's open layout, with its plentiful white space, welcomes the new reader, as does the prose style....Ericksson's beautifully composed line drawings are full of personality and emotion, and the whole book speaks of care and artfulness in its production." --The Horn Book Magazine

"The illustrations complement the narrative well, and will enable younger readers to feel a sense of accomplishment for tackling a lengthy chapter book....The difficult subjects are handled gracefully, allowing children to realize that happiness comes and goes, and that everyone has hardships to face." --starred, School Library Journal

"This simply written chapter book tenderly portrays the happiness of a child whose life is in balance, as well as the colossal, unremitting, inconsolable sorrow of one who is suffering loss. . . . The clarity and simplicity of the writing are balanced by the verve and finesse of Eriksson's captivating illustrations. . . . A quietly compelling book for young readers."--starred, Booklist

"To understand the true meaning and value of resilience, look no further than the 20 brief chapters of this early reader...beautifully translated into spare, lyrical prose....As Eriksson's emotionally astute and often endearingly funny pencil drawings show, Dani does indeed have much to be happy about."--starred, Publishers Weekly