‘Where Happiness Hides’ was written during the COVID-19 pandemic with the purpose of ‘inspiring children to find magic in everyday moments and happiness in little things – at this isolated time.’ Two children and their dog venture outside and find pleasure and happiness in small things, such as a lady beetle tickling your arm, plucking the last raspberry, sipping warm soup, casting shadows on the walls, smelling rain and spying an animal ‘hiding’ in a cloud. Warmth and happiness wash over the reader too until the text suddenly changes and observes petals dropping, wind howling and rivers flooding. The gentle narrator reminds the reader that storms pass.
The watercolour illustrations are perfectly attuned to the words and mood as children savour the environment and appreciate every simple discovery. The pastel colours capture the children’s happiness as they experience simple moments. There is plenty of white space that showcases the illustrations with minimal line and soft shades. Words and illustrations work together to offer pure joy and happiness while the ending offers children hope. The book was created as a ‘gift to children globally’ during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, but it is not limited to this use. It is an appreciation of companionship and simple experiences offered by the environment.
WestWords collaborated with the publisher to translate the story into several languages. The story is available in 35 languages from the publisher’s website. ‘Where Happiness Hides’ is freely available in an English language audible version (see Teaching and Other Resources) narrated with immense feeling by the Italian-Australian actress, Greta Scacchi. The author, Anthony Bertini, hopes that this book will help children cope with social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and find happiness in ordinary things. Jennifer Goldsmith is an internationally renowned figure in the world of handmade inventive toy characters crafted from felt. ‘Where Happiness Lies’ is Jennifer’s first picture book.
Picture Books for Older Readers
