Happy
Mies van Hout
ISBN: 978 17 880 7000 3 | Binding: Hardback | Trim size: 26.2 x 21 cm | Extent: 48 pages | Age: 4+ | Price: £ 10.95
The fish stand out in vibrant colours, showing a spectrum of emotions – from happy to sad, from angry to surprised – for the youngest book lovers to discover
Clear, strong lines and radiant colours, which seem to smile at the reader, characterise Mies van Houts drawings.
In Happy, Mies shows all the emotions a young child encounters. Each double-page spread is devoted to one fish, showing a particular emotion with its name in lettering that expresses the same feeling.
Swim into Happy, where the dazzling fish sparkle against the dark background and let the images spark laughter and empathy.
Happy
Reviews
‘… a delightful amuse-bouche of a book, and an aquatic introduction to everyday emotions.’
– Publishers Weekly, starred review
‘Happy is a kaleidoscope of emotional colors splashed on a black canvas of solidarity.’
–NY Journal of Books
‘Mixed media have been used for the expressive illustrations with the fish being outlined on black backgrounds using colours etched to present the effect of chalk on a board. This book demonstrates how words and pictures can reflect each other, drawing out extended meanings from a deceptively simple concept. It could provide a great model for children’s own bookmaking, suggesting ideas for drawing, writing and talk.’
–CLPE Book of the Week
Awards
-
Nominated for the Deutsche Jugendliteraturpreis 2013
The illustrator
