You Are My Happy

by Hoda Kotb, Suzie Mason (Illustrator)

A #1 New York Times bestseller and Amazon Best Books of the Year selection!

From Hoda Kotb, the Today show co-anchor and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of I’ve Loved You Since Forever, comes a bedtime snuggling book about gratitude for the things in life—both big and small—that bring us happiness.

As mama bear and her cub cuddle together before closing their eyes for a good night’s sleep, they reflect on the everyday wonders of life that make them happy.

Inspired by her own nighttime routine with her daughters, Haley Joy and Hope Catherine, Kotb creates another beautiful treasure for parents and children to enjoy together. With charming and lush illustrations from bestselling artist Suzie Mason, this soothing yet playful lullaby explores the simple joy of taking a moment to be grateful.

Makes a lovely gift for baby showers, Mother's Day, and more.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Family, Love, Storytime, Kids

34 pages, Board Book

First published March 5, 2019

About the author

Hoda Kotb is an American television news anchor. Both of Kotb's parents are from Egypt. Along with her parents, she has also lived in Nigeria.

Reviews

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a charming book. I bought it to give to a one year old girl for her birthday. Hope she likes it!

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read I've Loved You Since Forever , the other book by this duo, last year. I don't think I like You Are My Happy quite as much. The writing isn't as strong (the use of the word "for" at the beginning of each sentiment is awkward), and I didn't feel very engaged with the text.

However, it would be a nice book to read together for winding down before bedtime. The illustrations are cute and appealing, and there are plenty of adorable animals to look at.

[Rachel Nicole Wagner Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hoda Kotb is such an amazing and inspirational woman. I absolutely LOVE this book; I don't have children yet but it reminds me of many of the children's books that my mom and dad read to me whenever I was little. It brought me such joy and even brought a tear to my eye towards then end. "You are my Happy," I know I'll feel like this towards my future babies, someday, and I'll keep this to read to them, then :) <3


xo,
Rach

[Lindsay Rosatone · Rating 5 out of 5]

New “every night” book

[Kayla E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was shopping for a baby shower gift when I found this book. It is so sweet I had to get one for my little girl. We enjoyed reading together, and the rhyme and repetition kept her engaged. It will be in our bedtime book rotation basket for the foreseeable future. Highly recommend!

[Avely · Rating 5 out of 5]

See on nii armas ja siiras raamat!
Kõik need ilusad sõnad ja pildid tõid mulle kui ka lapsele palju rõõmu. Korra tuli ka väike pisar silma, ja need kes lugenud vast teavad põhjust.
Meile nii meeldivad raamatud, kus tekst riimub ja selliseid võiks veelgi enam olla! Näha on, et tõlkija on võtnud asja südamega :)
Pildid annavad ka väga palju juurde tekstile selles raamatus.
Armas raamat, mida endale hoida, lapsele kinkida või millega vanavanemaid rõõmustada.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It doesn't need the repetition but it's so sweet!

[Shaye Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

In rhyming text, a loving mama or papa bear (there’s no indicated gender) shares all the things that made him/her happy that day while the baby bear does the same. And each stanza ends with “That’s what made me happy” and eventually, “You are my happy.” Most of the scenes are the closing of the day with the sun going down, which made even me feel like cuddling up in bed. It will be a wonderful nighttime book. In fact, we’re told that the book was inspired by the author’s bedtime routine with her daughter. The artist used Adobe Photoshop to create the digital illustrations for this book.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a world where children (and all of us) are constantly being encouraged to want more, better, faster, etc., it is so important to teach them how to be content in the blessings around them. This sweet, rhyming picture book uses a gentle tone and beautiful illustrations to show a mama bear and her cub at bedtime naming the happy things of the day. This reminds me of some of the gratitude journal exercises I've seen that have people write down five things for which they're grateful on a daily basis. This would be great to share with young children as a bedtime read aloud. It could also be a great way to encourage young writers to share the things that make them happy.

[Georgette · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartwarming, adorable book. I read it behind the front counter at work. What a great book. Illustrations are wonderful.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet bedtime book!

[Taylor Schonert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only is this a super cute book about a flourishing relationship with a parent. But it is also a book that reminds us to count our blessings each day. It is a book that reminds us that even in the midst of hardships, there at least has to be one thing that made us happy on any given day. Whether that be the peer fact of natures beauty, the relationship with those around you, or the opportunity to learn from our mistakes. This book offers children the opportunity to think about so many things. To help them realize that they can turn bad days into good, by changing their mindset. Instead of getting upset because they made a mistake, it encourages them to take a look at how they can learn from the mistakes that have been made. This book also has super engaging yet simple illustrations to go along with the text!

[Kalynne]

11.18.22 Storytime 86 ages 0-7

Introduction and announcements: My Hands Say Hello (to the tune of The Farmer in the Dell)
My hands say hello
My hands say hello
Every time I see my friends, my hands say hello

Repeat with different body parts

Book one: All for Pie Pie for All by David Martin

Song/rhyme/game one: Turkey Stop by The Learning Station

Book two: ‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey

Song/rhyme/game two: Play on Your Instruments by Judi Cranston (with tambourines)

Song/ rhyme/ game three: Gratitude Color Game
Red: animal
Blue: person
green: food
etc.
pull colored pom-poms from bag and have kids shout what thing that are grateful for

Book three: You Are My Happy by Hoda Kotb

Activity: https://ecdn.teacherspayteachers.com/...

[Kathryn (Dragon Bite Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review first published on my blog, Nine Pages .

A family of bears (a parent and cub) reflect on the things that made them happy throughout the day as they are settling down for the day: marks of growing and friends and families that they observed and with whom they interact. I could have done without the refrain “that’s what made me happy.” The list rhymes. The story ends with “the one I’m thankful for you is you. You are my happy.” It’s sweet. It’s a nice ritual to establish with a little one, listing the things that made you happy before bed.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read a narrated version of the eBook, read by Hoda herself. It's funny, because I read it first without the audio, and when I re-red it with the sound, I was jolted a bit by the jaunty music; I guess I expected it to be more soothing! (which it still was). The illustrations are very well done. This would be a great story to use, then instead of reading all of the pages, asking your child to answer what made them happy that day.

[ASE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blends image and text very well. The words are original, not quite the usual 'you are my joy, and I love you,' but blending in very real experiences like "learning from mistakes." In that way, though, I think that the wording may be a bit abstract. It's a wonderful example of pictures and words working together, which is why I'm giving it 4 stars. The illustrations and text work together to tell a story, though neither could exist independently.

[Tim Sheehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chomp the Baby Gator enjoyed this heartfelt story about gratitude and love.

Each page is filled with warmth as they reflect on simple joys like exploring nature, playing together, and sharing quiet moments. The story emphasizes the importance of appreciating everyday blessings and the special bond between a parent and child. This book serves as a nice reminder of the love and gratitude that fill our lives.

[Yaritza · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far this book has become my favorite. Hoda loves the evenings she gets to spend with her daughter. This storybook truly shows that happiness a mother has when she gets to spend time with their child. They go through wonderful adventures together while learning from their mistakes as they grow. I love the illustrations. Very colorful and fun.

[BERNARD ANEIS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Important theme with entertaining illustrations

The illustrations are very entertaining. The theme, to me, was that one should take the time to recognize the contribution their partner makes to improve their life. Also to give details so their knows what they are doing right. Hopefully that will result in even more enjoyment out of life.

[Teonna Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother bear recounts to her young one the events and moments throughout the day that made her happy. She mentions "special friends who made me giggle" and "even learning from mistakes" as moments that made her happy. She ends by telling her cub "Every night and all day through, the one I'm thankful for is you."

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet lovely rhyming story of looking for the happy and good in everything. Even as a parent reading this to my daughter, it reminded me how much I need to continually be aware of this. The illustrations are so beautiful. And the best page is at the end when they are grateful for each other. Beautiful book.

[Ireland · Rating 3 out of 5]

My family and I have been looking for kids book to give my aunt for her new baby. We considered this one, but it wasn’t our favorite after reading it. We ended up choosing another one that we knew my sister and I enjoyed when we were kids. After reading it, we thought this was just an okay kids’ book.

[Ainsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so sweet and makes me feel very comfortable. I think it has a very calming element to it which I think is beneficial in a classroom especially younger students in kindergarten for example. I loved the narrations, and I would definitely read it in one of my classrooms.

[Kay Banks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to any parent, especially those who waited a long time to become a parent. I'm not a parent myself, but it's also a great book for bedtime! The mama bear and her cub reflect on the things that make them happy which I think is important for any parent to do with their child regardless of age.

[Linda Patchett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Perfect read for a good night tale and tuck in or mother's day storytime. Children will love the pictures of animal friends and the lush scenery of ponds, woods, meadows, and mountains. The ryhming text is an added bonus.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very cute book. I kind of want to give it as a gift to all my friends that are having babies. I think the real beauty of this book is the conversations that parents will (hopefully) have with their children as they read the book about what things in their day made them happy.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and tender bedtime rhymes. Mama Bear helps Baby Bear count his blessings and find the things that make her happy by reminding him of the day's experiences and things to be thankful for. A little awkward at times, but overall very comforting.

[Debbi Daniels Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautifully written and illustrated. Worthy of gift giving, it is a lovely story to be shared between parent and child. Hoda Kotb writes Children's Books from the heart that exemplify the Parent Child bond. Recommend it as a must have for any Child's beginning Library.

[Mfbirkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother bear and her baby review the day and the things that make them happy from Hoda Kotb, co-anchot of the Today show.




In this cozy, loving book by the co-host of the Today show a baby bear and his mother review the things that made them happy that day.

[Ruchi Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick 3 minute listen at the end of a hard, tiring day. Took me back to 1997, my kindergarten days. Made me feel loved and protected in a nostalgic way.

I found a new affirmation to lift my spirits.

You're my happy. <3