100 Things That Make Me Happy

As mentioned last week, I'm obsessed with lists: blogging in lists, brainstorming in lists, and writing books in a list format.  And after I wrote that post, I discovered an amazing book that just came out this fall. 

100 Things that make me Happy by Amy Schwartz.  In staying true to form, I'm going to list my reasons for loving this book. 

But first I want to share it's reviews from Amazon and School Library Journal. 

From Amazon-
In the grand tradition of “Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens” comes an uplifting tribute to 100 everyday things worth celebrating. The list, in rhyming couplets, draws directly from a preschool­er’s world—from slippery floors to dinosaurs, from goldfish to a birthday wish. Amy Schwartz weaves a masterful balance between art and text, with each of the 100 items portrayed as its own well-observed and warmly detailed vignette. While the contents provide readers with a frame of reference for the quantity of “100”—a celebratory milestone in preschools and early elementary grades—the oversized pages envelop young children in the wonderful things surrounding them.


From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1--
This lovely volume features 100 everyday objects and activities from a child's world that elicit pleasure. In rhyming couplets, the list ranges from "bucket trucks/yellow ducks," "flip-flops/lollipops," and "mud puddles/soap bubbles" to "polka dots/forget-me-nots," "pony rides/shiny slides," and "braids/parades." A sample spread reads "fuzzy sweaters/long letters/ slippery floors/dinosaurs/comfy chair/county fair." Each of the rhymes is accompanied by a delightful illustration featuring a diverse cast of characters. The book jacket doubles as a poster featuring smaller-size illustrations of all 100 happy things on the reverse side. A fun, engaging read.—Sarah Polace, Cuyahoga Public Library System, OH

Reasons why I love 100 Things That Make Me Happy
1. It's a picture book in list format. (There is no story. It is simply a list.)
2. It's a brilliant topic for a list. (The idea is that there are at least 100 things in life that can make you happy.)
3. It has a great message: Simple things in life can make you happy. (slippery floors, birthday wishes, flip flops, fuzzy sweaters!)
4. This can be a fantastic writing exercise for yourself or if you are a teacher or parent it could be a fun writing exercise or project for kids!
5. This list could spark other ideas to write about. It could spark other lists: 100 things that make me sad, 100 things that scare me, 100 tiny things, 100 things I love about the beach etc...
6. This book could be a great conversation starter or sparker between adults and children, or between children. 
7. It rhymes in short list format, rhyming couplets. This is one of my favorite ways to rhyme. (Not rhyming couplet, but specifically short, list format, rhyme.)
8. It's fun to read aloud!
9. This book could be used for math as well as a 100 day celebration read aloud!
10. It reminds me of the song Julie Andrews sings in The Sound of Music: My Favorite Things. And who doesn't love that song or that musical or Julie Andrews? 
11. It's a mood changer. It will put you in a better mood! Thinking about all the things that make you happy is a great way to cheer yourself up if you are feeling blue. 

I simply can't wait to buy this book and read it aloud to my baby Harper. I also can't wait to try to come up with my own list of 100 things that make me happy. 

Below are some of the images from the book shared from Amazon.

Do you think you can think of 100 things that make you happy?  My list is going to start with this book!

Mandy Yates is currently an elementary reading specialist and children's book writer. She has an MFA in creative writing from Spalding University and has been published multiple times in Highlights Magazine. 

She is also assisting Mira in teaching The Craft and Business of Writing Children's Books. http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/writing-childrens-picture-books.html, as well as The Chapter Book Alchemist  http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/the-chapter-book-alchemist.html .

Find some of her teacher resources over at http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Mandy-Yates.

And you can follow her on Pinterest, Twitter,and Facebook.