
By Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie, Ashleigh Corrin (Illustrator)
A young girl explores happiness through family, friends, and community.
Layla, a spirited seven-year-old, keeps a happiness book filled with moments that bring her joy. From her dad's stories of South Carolina to her mom's poetry and time with her best friend Juan, Layla discovers what happiness means. As she navigates her world, Layla's journey invites readers to reflect on their own sources of joy. What makes you happy?
“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.
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