Grow Happy - by Jon Lasser & Sage Foster-Lasser (Hardcover)

About the Book

Grow Happy helps kids understand that they play an important role in cultivating their own happiness using resources at their disposal.

Book Synopsis

My name is Kiko. I'm a gardener. I grow happy. Let me show you how.

Kiko shows the reader how she grows happiness: by making good choices, taking care of her body and mind, paying attention to her feelings, problem solving, and spending time with family and friends. Kids will learn that they can play a pivotal role in creating their own happiness, just like Kiko. A Note to Parents and Other Caregivers provides more strategies for helping children learn how to grow happiness.

Review Quotes

"Creating and caring for a garden serves as an apt metaphor for self-care in this sensitive story from the father-daughter team of Lasser and Foster-Lasser..... Crinkly, textured papers bring pleasing warmth to Lyles's mixed-media collages, creating an atmosphere of positivity to match the girl's confident attitude."--Publishers Weekly

"A charming and to-the-point book for addressing mindfulness with young children, perfect for classrooms and libraries." --School Library Journal

"Children are learning very early that the world is a tough place in which to grow up. Giving kids the tools to get it done will be a tremendous boost. And these three books contribute to that effort in a delightful way." --Children's Books Heal

"Wonderfully entertaining from beginning to end and with an invaluable life affirming message, Grow Happy is unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended for family, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections."--Midwest Book Review

"I love that this book teaches kids that they have the power to make themselves happy."--Mom's Radius

"This book should lead to many good discussions around well being and each person's ability to cultivate their own contentment."--School Library Connection

"All readers could learn from Grow Happy, but like gardening it's much more fun when you read it together."--Plant Talk

About the Author

Sage Foster-Lasser is an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Austin, where she studies psychology and American studies. Grow Grateful is a follow-up to Grow Happy, her first children's book which she also co-authored with Jon Lasser.

Jon Lasser, PhD, is a psychologist, school psychologist, professor, and associate dean for research in the College of Education at Texas State University. Grow Grateful is a follow up to his first children's book, Grow Happy, also written with Sage Foster-Lasser. Jon Lasser resides in Martindale, Texas. Follow him on Twitter: @JonLasser.

Christopher Lyles has illustrated numerous books for children, including When You Look Out the Window, Grow Happy and Grow Grateful. Inspired by vintage graphics and antique surfaces, he uses collage and mixed media applications to create his art. He lives in Simsbury, CT. Visit him at chrislyles.tumblr.com and follow him on Facebook: @LylesDesigns, Twitter: @ChrisLyles, and Instagram: @ChrisLyles.