Taking a Bath with the Dog and Other Things That Make Me Happy - by Scott Menchin (Paperback)

About the Book

In order to answer her mother's question about what would make her smile, a girl first asks various people, animals, and even the moon what makes them happy.

Book Synopsis

"Will likely inspire youngsters who are in a funk to seek joy in the unexpected as well as in the perfectly ordinary." -- Publishers Weekly

What do you do when it seems as if nothing will make you happy? For one little girl, it's a good time to take a survey, from subjects including a quick little rabbit (running around in a wheel) and a snazzy centipede (shoes, lots of shoes). Scott Menchin's amusing story and his whimsical characters show us that doing what we love best can bring the biggest smiles of all.

Review Quotes

Light and humorous, this is a sweet revelation of life's simple and attainable joys.
--Kirkus Reviews

Vibrant solid-color backgrounds vary on each spread, and vivid illustrations, done in ink, watercolor, and digitally, make great use of pattern, line, and perspective to showcase Sweet Pea's encounters with various people and animals.
--School Library Journal

Will likely inspire youngsters who are in a funk to seek joy in the unexpected as well as in the perfectly ordinary.
--Publishers Weekly

Charming...sure to leave readers with a smile.
--Elliott Bay Book Co. online "Book Notes"

Easy for toddlers to understand and a good starting place for beginning readers.
--Houston Chronicle

The illustrations are vivid and humorous with bright pastel colors that capture a sense of whimsy and fun. Each page conveys a small sense of joy and happiness and will show young children that happiness is to be found in the smallest of things.
--AmoxCalli blog

I love this one for lots of reasons. A great story to share with children, a great book to help students think about writing ideas, etc.
--A Year of Reading blog, Featured as one of six "Best Picture Books of 2007--So Far"

[Sweet Pea's] list, small and simple, will surely make you happy as well!
--Newton's Book News

Inspirational.
--Playthings

About the Author

Scott Menchin is the illustrator of the picture book WIGGLE by Doreen Cronin as well as MAN GAVE NAMES TO ALL THE ANIMALS, an award-winning children's book based on a hit song by Bob Dylan. He has created illustrations for TIME, NEWSWEEK, the NEW YORK TIMES, ROLLING STONE, and other publications, as well as for several major companies. Scott Menchin lives in New York City.