"Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope." - Kofi Annan
Today's featured book:
Title: My Heart is Laughing
Author: Rose Lagercrantz
Illustrator: Eva Erikksson
# of Chapters: 14
Ages: 6-9
Let's check inside shall we?
About the book:
This book is a sequel to the acclaimed illustrated chapter book, My Happy Life, (A New York Times Notable Children's Book). This is the story of Dani, a happy little girl who loves to see the bright side of life, especially when her best friend Ella is by her side. But alas, Ella moves away to another town and Dani has a very hard trying to get on with her life. She tries to befriend the other girls in her class but they are mean and snub her attempts.
She finds herself isolated at school with only thoughts of her missing best friend swirling around in her head to keep her company. The teacher notices Dani's isolation at lunch hour and suggests she go and join the other kids at their tables. Unfortunately she is placed right between Micky and Vicky, the very two girls who are giving her lots of attitude and trouble. Oh my, what is she to do now?
She innocently reaches across the table to get the sauce bottle and that's when things erupt in the lunch room. The two girls start to make fun of her and their verbal abuse towards Dani escalates into the physical realm, causing Dani to make a move to protect herself. Dani has had enough and takes matters into her own hands to prevent herself from being bullied and hurt even more.
You will cheer her on at that moment and encourage her to .... go girl... as things take a turn for the worse if that is possible. She suddenly realizes there will be consequences for her actions and frightened she runs out of the school and home. Despondent and feeling hopeless about her circumstances and herself, she goes into her room and has a well deserved meltdown. Her dad comes home and picks up the pieces of his little broken girl and starts putting her back together again. ..piece by piece. With love and understanding they work through Dani's crisis exposing the truth as to why Dani made the decision she did and finally Dani's heart is filled with happiness again. This is a story of friendship, loyalty and love. Those ingredients can make the perfect cocktail to bring happiness into one's heart permanently. I highly recommend this book.
About the author:
Eva Eriksson was born in Halmstad 1949. She is one of the best-loved illustrators in Sweden, whose awards include the Astrid Lindgren prize and the August award.
Book Review Rating: 8 (Fantastic!)
Read on and read always! Have an amazing day everyone.
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