Happy with Me by Leo Timmers, illustrated by Lee Cohen
ages 0-4 | 32 pages | Smallfellow Press | March 2002 | Hardcover |
There is nothing like the inner mind of a child, and Happy With Me explores the power of imagination, even as it conveys a deeper message of self-esteem and acceptance. Leo Timmers’ delightful book tells the tale of a little boy who loves to read at night, and who loses himself in the world of the possible. He imagines himself to be anything but a boy. He becomes an elephant, a penguin, even a dog, and has fun being in their bodies for awhile, but each time he realizes there’s a downside to being something other than what he is. The illustrations are absolutely adorable, bold and fun and filled with whimsy. The characters look like stuffed figures with big, rounded heads, and the colors jump from the page. The text is simple, easy for even younger children to comprehend, and the message doesn’t preach. Happy With Me will enchant children who love to “try on” different lives and express their imaginations. But it will also help them realize that they are perfectly perfect, just the way they are. |
| Marie D. Jones/2005 for curled up with a good kid's book |
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