100 Things That Make Me Happy: A Picture Book

by Amy Schwartz (Illustrator)

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Poetry, Emotion, Kids, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

Amy Schwartz is the author and illustrator of many picture books for children, including Begin at the Beginning; Things I Learned in Second Grade; Bea and Mr. Jones, a Reading Rainbow feature; What James Likes Best, recipient of the 2004 Charlotte Zolotow Award; and a glorious day. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband Leonard S. Marcus, and their son, Jacob.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like the book because of all the rhythmic pattern and the fact that if you are sad or unhappy you can read the book to help you feel more comfortable, calm and relaxed.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This flowing and joyous picture book lists one after another things that make someone happy. Told in rhyming couplets, the book has a jaunty lilt to it that moves it right along. Though it could become stagnant, this list of happy things never does. Instead there are little surprises as the book continues, moments that are funny, others that will have young readers nodding along about how much they too love things like sticky glue or camping trips or double scoops. Perfect for preschoolers to celebrate what makes them happy too, this book is sure to create smiles.

With all of the attention on gratitude journals and seeing that small things in life are what makes us happy, this book fits right in. Schwartz taps into moments of universal joy and also ones that will inspire new additions to the list. She manages to keep each page fresh, listing the things one by one. The font design adds to the cheerful feel as the words are shown straight, curving, and even wiggling along.

The illustrations too carry that cheer with their bright color and plenty of movement and motion. They show people of all races on the page, younger and older children, so everyone will be welcomed to share in the happiness. The images that go from one large one per page to several at a time. Those changes in pace make for a more dynamic read and one that never grows sing-songy at all.

A book that inspires smiles and pure joy, this book will have universal appeal. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely! A charming, rhyming list of things that make most of us happy. I think this would be a great books to use with kindergarten through second grade as part of a 100th day celebration, pick-up lesson during the winter doldrums, or beginning of the year kick off media center lesson.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't expect the text to rhyme. I liked that. And it was fun to read through 100 different things. I think children will enjoy seeing the things that make them happy in there. I may try a few pages in storytime to see what they share in happy things.

2/24/16 Used in Literacy moment in H is for... theme. For each page spread, I had the kids come up and name something they saw on the pages that made them happy, and then I had them write that word on the whiteboard. So the book was more book-talked than actually read, but the kids liked looking at the pictures, finding something they liked.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

In addition to being a simply delightful idea for a book to read with children, the charming rhyming couplets and colourful illustrations enhance the well-chosen happiness discoveries so that you can keep coming back to this book again and again. And each time you reach the end of this eclectic list that includes nature and people and food and fun, you feel inspired to discover and rhyme even more things that light up your eyes.

www.GoodReadingGuide.com

[Elizabeth Majka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super cute rhyming list of 100 Things That Make Me Happy! I love this and will be reccommending it to a child soon. Such whimsical illustrations and a fun idea, perhaps it will inspire everyone to make a list of things that make themselves happy!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars About the time of Thanksgiving this book about things that make you happy can also be things that you are thankful for!
Cute pictures, cute rhymes, a really nicely done book! I enjoyed it !!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is truly a list of 100 things that make most of us happy. Nicely drawn. Because the writing is essentially just an illustrated list, it's great for young readers to sound out just a word or two and feel good about grasping the meaning without needing to understand a full sentence.

[Danica Midlil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This made me want to start my own list. The illustration style is not my favorite but I love the concept and the items listed. Great book!

[Millie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book make me smile. Thanks to those cute 100 things and the rhythmic pattern :) I started question myself: What are the things that make me HAPPY? Anything orange, any water, any Disney magic, a fuzzy blanket, big cozy bed, bear hugs, comfy pillows, warm sunshine, stunning scenery, starry nights, hot showers, wow ornaments, off days, ice creams, french fries, iced coca-cola, lollipops, yummy food, good books/movies, Just Dance 2021 (switch game), lazy sloths, stargazing, good-night kiss, quality time spent with loved ones, helping those in needs, and to be discovered...

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

How have I not read this book!?! I love it I’m so many levels: the abundance of gratitude for simple things in life, the whimsical rhyming that makes it easy for kids to read and reread, the feeling of joy that comes from thinking positive thoughts with our students. Do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book!!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. A bunch of these things make ME happy too!

I think this would actually be perfect in a classroom; there's a bunch of activities you could spawn from this. How many of the things in the book make you happy? What are 100 things on your own happy list? Can you write a rhyming poem about happy things? Would also be a nice inclusion leading up to 100 days of school celebrations.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

November 2018 - there's no story here, just a nicely satisfying list of happy things. I always love Schwartz's illustrations, and this could have fun extensions into adding more happy things to the list.

[Emily Clifford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable rhyming book of 100 cheerful things/activities/foods/etc. As I read it to my kids, I felt happier and more calm myself. Very nice idea and I think it could be amazing if you took a notebook and made one that's personalized for your kid/family.

[Asho · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this out for S thinking he might enjoy the illustrations, but neither big kid was particularly intrigued by this book. I thought it was cute, though! Plus it's uplifting to have a whole book just about little things that cause happiness.

[Dietrich Venson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Its a sweet book and it can encourage kids it also is a nice way to get them to read because it is entertaing for them

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great rhyme on this list of awesome things! Like strawberry ice and pizza slice! And other non-food things. Very happy and wholesome :)

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the companion volume/sequel a bit better because the rhyming scheme felt like it had a better flow, but this is still a sweet book full of things to put a smile on your face.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book for teaching rhyming words, celebrating 100, and just sharing the 100 things you love!

[Misbah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book makers me want to make a lousy of a 100 things that make me happy.

[CategoryOneGames.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay

I give it this rating because i thought that was about how to be happier but it as autaly about radon thing in life, also I didn't like the pictures.

[Lina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of basic. And rather white.

[Carina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhymes and cute pictures, this book was fun to read because we could think about all the things that make us happy too.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is on the lists of things that make me happy.

[Tipton/DeSanto #CLASSROOMBOOKADAY · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are lots of things that make me happy, like chocolate cake!

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simply worded, rhyming book about different things that may make you happy. I think this book could really foster discussion in children.

[Breanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this we decided to make our own lists- so fun to just be happy!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be a good companion read with Miss Bindergarten Celebrates 100th Day".

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read!

My son loved the board book as a baby and now enjoys the full version as a 3 year old!

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute, sweet!