Son of Happy

By Cary Fagan, Milan Pavlović (Illustrator), Milan Pavlović (Illustrator)

A boy's dad trades clown shoes for a suit, but what does he truly miss?

5.0/7 Bookroo expert·3.3/5 Goodreads · 20 ratings

44 pages

$18.95Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

A boy is embarrassed by his dad, Happy the Clown, who entertains at birthday parties. When his dad returns to being a lawyer, life seems perfect with new luxuries. Yet, the boy senses something amiss. Does his dad miss the joy of clowning, or is it the boy who longs for Happy? This tale explores identity and acceptance with a touch of humor and heart.

From the publisher

The boy in this story never wants to go to his friends’ birthday parties, because Happy the Clown is always there. And Happy is … his dad.

He wishes his dad had a regular job, like all the other kids’ parents. He didn’t mind his dad being a clown when he was a little kid, but now it’s just embarrassing. And even worse, since business is slow, his dad is putting a sign on the front lawn advertising his clown services!

But one night at dinner Dad announces that he’s going back to his old job of being a lawyer. “You were a lawyer?” the boy asks, incredulous.

Now his dad wears a suit and tie to work, the family can buy a new car, his mom can take piano lessons, and he can have a skateboard and cellphone.

But something feels different. The boy wonders if his dad misses being a clown. Or is he the one who misses Happy?

With bittersweet humor, Cary Fagan brings us a story about a boy’s growing consciousness and a father’s realization that he can be himself.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 44
Reading age: 6–9
Audience: Picture
Lexile: 540L

Themes & topics

Books about father-son relationships Books about jobs and careers Books about feelings and emotions Books about social themes Books about friendship

For the grown-ups

The parent guide

What families may want to know

Every family reads differently. These are the concepts our editors noticed in this book — worth seeking out for some readers, worth knowing about for others. The list isn't exhaustive, but it's a spoiler-light head start.

Alcohol

On one page, the text describes and shows a father and his friends drinking beer while playing cards.

What readers & critics say

Reviews

5.0

out of 7

5.0

“I appreciate the complex themes this explores: a son feeling embarrassed about what his dad does for work; the tradeoff between doing work you enjoy and work that provides well for a family.”

The Goodfather

Trusted reviewer

For readers who can't stop at one