Grow Happy

by Jon Lasser, Sage Foster-Lasser (Contributor), Christopher Lyles (Contributor)

My name is Kiko.
I'm a gradener.
I grow happy.
Let me show you how.

Kiko is a gardener. She takes care of her garden with seeds, soil, water, and sunshine. In Grow Happy, Kiko also demonstrates how she cultivates happiness, just like she does in her garden. Using positive psychology and choice theory, this book shows children that they have the tools to nurture their own happiness and live resiliently. Just as Kiko possesses the resources needed--seeds, soil, water--to build a thriving garden, she also has the tools to nurture her own happiness--including social support, choices, and problem-solving skills.

Grounded in principles of positive psychology and choice theory, Grow Happy helps kids understand that they play an important role in cultivating their own happiness using resources at their disposal. Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how our choices and paying attention to our bodies and feelings affects happiness.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Gardening, Nature, Storytime, Plants, Emotion

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 3, 2017

About the author

Jon Lasser, PhD, is a psychologist, school psychologist, and professor in the school psychology program at Texas State University. At Texas State, he has developed and taught graduate courses for the school psychology program and has also taught the freshman first-year experience course. He has co-authored three picture books (Grow Happy, Grow Grateful, & Grow Kind) and three books for adults (Tech Generation: Raising Balanced Kids in a Hyper-Connected World; School Psychologist as Counselor; and Professional Ethics in Midwifery Practice) as well as journal articles and chapters on a variety of subjects including autism, parenting, ethics, sexuality, and graduate preparation. Jon holds a bachelor’s degree in Plan II liberal arts from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in human sexuality education from the University of Pennsylvania, and a doctorate in school psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. He grows happy by spending time with his family, kayaking, listening to Bob Dylan, and gardening.

Reviews

[Vivone Os]

Bookopoly 2022. – Lowest Rated
Orillium (spring equinox) – Elemental Studies (basics of air dynamics) – book under 100 pages

Simpa poučna pričica. Kroz priču o brizi o vrtu i biljkama, autor nas uči kako trebamo brinuti i o sebi samima te kako donositi pravilne odluke. Simpatične ilustracije.

[Rebecca Gomez]

A “self-help” book in the form of a picture book for kids. This book is horribly didactic and dull. Reading through this book is like sitting through a session with the school counselor, only less fun.

[Snowflower]

I really like this book. It's nicely illustrated, a cute story, and has plenty of good lessons. And I like that the lessons are direct and not just blended into the story.

[Heather McC]

Happiness (just like a garden) is developed and maintained over time by utilizing self care (rest, sleep, exercise), making good choices, and problem solving techniques. There's colorful analogies throughout the book, with additional information in the back on how to create a happy (and healthy!) lifestyle

[Michelle Farella]

Too didactic for a picture book, SHOW don't tell.

[Elisabeth]

cool concept but I got squirmy like I do when things feel too didactic.

[Julia Crainshaw]

Kiko grows a garden and the choices, decisions, obstacles, work, and joy are compared to cultivating happiness in one's own life. Includes note to parents and caregivers at the end.

[Kate Sumner]

This creative book is about a young girl, Kiko, who notices the needs to grow plants. She talks about the problems and solutions and need for support for her plants and compares that to her own self-growth. Through the book we watch her and her garden grow and learn to take care of both! The book introduces to young readers that they have all the tools to create their own happiness and that they themselves play a very important role to making it happen and a great integration of two psychological perspectives: positive psychology and choice theory. Grow Happy Includes a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how our choices and paying attention to our bodies and feelings affects happiness. A great life lesson book. I would use that for younger children to talk about self-care and the steps they took! Example: Social support, self-choices, and problem-solving skills. A book I definitely want in my house for my future child.

[Renee Taylor]

"Grow Happy" is a delightful book that offers valuable insights for both young and older readers, highlighting the importance of taking responsibility for our own happiness. Drawing upon the analogy of a garden, this book beautifully illustrates how happiness, like a flourishing garden, requires nurturing and growth.

Through relatable examples, the author guides us on a journey of self-discovery, emphasizing the actions we can take to create a successful garden of happiness in our lives. Furthermore, the book skillfully explores the aspects of life beyond our control and how they are interconnected with our overall sense of fulfillment.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to spark meaningful conversations about the choices we make and the impact they have on our well-being. By empowering readers to prioritize self-care and personal growth, "Grow Happy" serves as a valuable tool for individuals of all ages seeking to live a fulfilling and joyful life.

[Karla]

When I first glanced at the first line, I thought the name was Kiki, which put the darn song in my head... so I had to put it down and pick it back up later. I'm glad I did because it's well written and has a great message. I grow happy- let me show you how. Again, there are a plethora of stores that indicate "happy" these days and I try to shelter my thoughts from little ones knowing about growing happy... so I was taken back by this a bit.
I liked the varied text size and colors, as well as the illustrations which had depth and varied media. It's a wonderful and positive story. It ends with a question- how do you grow happiness? (What if I don't or I choose not to?)- Also has a family component with wonderful suggestions. Recommended.

[Krystal Shoop-Hardin]

This book is based on two psychological perspectives: positive psychology and choice theory. Grow Happy refers to growing a beautiful garden that is well planted and healthy and nourishing to look at as well as eat. This main theme centers around the main character Kiko and her triumphs and challenges with herself, others, and life. Teachers and parents would find this book very helpful in learning to teach a child to how to love one's self and how to be their own source of happiness. Gardens do not grow by themselves. They require effort and care. So does a child's happiness thrive on action, choice and care.

[Pia K]

I shared this book with my three young boys as well as my students. I found it very helpful with beginning a conversation about feelings and how to deal with disappointments. Kiko demonstrates that happiness doesn't just happen, but rather like all goals, we must put forth effort. It has taken me a lifetime to understand this idea and I'm grateful I can help my children learn this lesson early. The artwork is outstanding too.

[Barbara]

Grow Happy by Jon Lasser would make a great book to share with children who are working through change, life problems, or even just plain growing up. The analogy of growing and taking care of a garden is juxtaposed against real life problems and makes a great setting for discussion about how to solve problems. Back matter is contains information on How to Use This Book and How to Help Your Child. For ages 4 - 9.

[Christine Turner]

My name is Kiko. I'm a gardener. I grow happy. Let me show you how.
Kiko shows the reader how she grows happiness: by making good choices, taking care of her body and mind, paying attention to her feelings, problem solving, and spending time with family and friends.
Kids will learn that they can play a pivotal role in creating their own happiness, just like Kiko.

A Note to Parents and Other Caregivers provides more strategies for helping children learn how to grow happiness. Age range 4-8.

[Kate Puleo Unger]

Grow Happy draws parallels between Kiko caring for her garden, and growing happiness, with caring for herself and making her own happiness. Just like the garden needs someone to make choices, nurture it, and get help from friends when Kiko cannot do all of the work alone, Kiko must make good choices in her own life, care for her growing body, and ask for help from friends and family when she cannot do everything alone.

I love that this book teaches kids that they have the power to make themselves happy. It's all about the choices they make and how they care for themselves - both physically and mentally. The metaphor of the garden makes these concepts more tangible.

The illustrations in this book are whimsical and happy. The characters' facial expressions match the moods conveyed through the text of the story. I really enjoyed this book.

http://www.momsradius.com/2017/06/kid...

[Viviane Elbee]

This is a psychology book for kids and their caregivers that focuses on positive psychology and choice theory. The back matter, written for adults, explains the concepts covered in this book and shares ways to discuss these concepts with kids, so that they know that happiness is something they must put effort into and care about.

[Sara]

I am a teacher and the authors came to our school to read this book to our Kindergartners and their parents. It really got the kids thinking about what makes them happy, and they have control over how they react to setbacks in life. They loved the garden as a metaphor for "self", because most of them could totally identify with it and even make that leap.

I bought copies for many kids in my life. And even have one on my 5th grade classroom shelf as a reminder that I can't change things (like the weather!) but I can change how I react to situations I don't love. I love the cute little Kiko illustrations as well.

[Monica Williams]

If this was just about gardening I think I would have liked it better. Not sure if the mixed messages will be as effective as intended.

[Jennifer Kelley]

I felt this book was too preachy. I tried it for storytime and it didn't go over well.

[Allison Marks]

Good concept but too didactic.

[Ama]

When the author uses credentials (i.e. PhD) on the cover, you know the story is going to be a little didactic.

[Shiloah]

Great story with an excellent message.

[Seema Rao]

Gardening is used as a metaphor for learning to become resilient and happy. A little bit pedantic, but good.

[Kate Focht]

Great book for working with children on making positive choices. Includes notes for parents and caregivers.

[Alyssa]

Good message, but kinda pedantic.

[Jes]

This book went surprisingly well for story time. It makes excellent connections and comparisons from being mindful to planning a garden and helping it thrive. Great message, great delivery

[fruitcake]

Book tries to draw parallels between growing a garden and what you need to do in your life to be happy, but I found it to be lacking and the comparison weak. I did enjoy the art, though.

[Rolf]

A really nice extended metaphor for teaching emotional intelligence to kids.

[Vassiliadi]

Ένα πάρα πολύ ωραίο βιβλίο με καταπληκτική εικονογράφηση. Μιλάει κ για την υγιεινή διατροφή κ για τα συναισθήματα.

[Alice]

4 stars
Guiding readers to positive outlook and choice therapy