The Wonderful Happens

by Cynthia Rylant, Coco Dowley (Illustrator)

the world is filled with so many wonderful things --
birds that fly through the sky and peaches that grow on trees,
spiders spinning webs and cats napping in windows,
fresh-baked bread and new-fallen snow.
and then there's the most wonderful thing of all --
you!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

About the author

Cynthia Rylant is an American author, poet, and librarian whose deeply felt books for children and young adults have made her one of the most beloved voices in contemporary literature. Writing across picture books, novels, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry, she has published more than one hundred works, many of them rooted in memory, family, solitude, and the emotional landscapes of ordinary life. Her fiction often draws from her upbringing in West Virginia and reflects the textures of Appalachian life with unusual tenderness and clarity.
Raised in modest circumstances, Rylant spent much of her childhood with her grandparents in a rural setting that later became central to her imagination as a writer. Those early years, marked by hardship as well as warmth, shaped the emotional honesty and quiet resilience that define her work. She later studied English and library science, and after working as a waitress, librarian, and teacher, she began publishing books inspired by the world she had known so intimately.
Among her most acclaimed works are Missing May, which received the Newbery Medal, and A Fine White Dust, a Newbery Honor Book. She also earned Caldecott Honors for When I Was Young in the Mountains and The Relatives Came. For younger readers, she became especially well known through the enduring Henry and Mudge series, as well as other popular books and series that combine gentleness, humor, and emotional depth.
Rylant's writing is distinguished by its compassion for lonely, searching, or overlooked characters, and by its reverence for animals, nature, and small human connections. Whether writing about grief, wonder, childhood, or belonging, she brings a lyrical simplicity that resonates across generations. Her books continue to offer comfort, recognition, and beauty to readers of all ages. She remains a singular literary presence in children's literature and beyond today.

Reviews

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I began the "Starring M E !" story time with one of my favorite picture books. I opened the book to the front endpapers and asked the children what they saw. Responses included "the sun", "a cat", "a dog", "a chicken", "a truck" and so forth. I then said, "Let's watch for these things in the story, shall we?" This particular story begins BEFORE the title page. "each day..." (turn page) "the wonderful happens" by cynthia rylant and illustrated by coco dowley. (I always say the name of the author and the name of the illustrator when sharing books in programs).

I confess, I love this book for it's sentiment -- it creates such a "feel good" affirming experience!

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations reminiscent of a country quilt illustrate this happy, gentle, and optimistic book about the little happy things that happen each day.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fairly flat story, pictures are nice.

[Holly Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a really precious book, it shows all the small wonderful aspects of life, the beauty in the little things. I really enjoyed the words and the overall message of this book. the illustrations were well done as well

[Melinda Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a happy little book for little children to read.

[Keegan Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like that this book is a sweet way to look at the simple miracles of life. I know this is sort of silly but the book lists off a bunch of wonderful things and ends with "You/ yes: you./ did you know there was a time when you weren't anywhere." Since I don't actually believe that I sort of thought it wasn't a book I'd ever buy. Also, there aren't capitals at the beginning of sentences. This could be overly editorial, but I can deal with playful punctuation, but I like capitals at the beginning of sentences.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 3 out of 5]

The earth has wheat that is made into bread, and the wonderful happens
The trees have peaches, to be enjoyed, and baked into pies and the wonderful happens
The houses have windows, deep enough for a cat to sleep, and we gain peace from wathcing the lovely cat, and the wonderful happens
Long before you were here, there was a plan for you, you were born, and the wonderful happened.

This is a lovely, peaceful book. When my granddaughter finished reading it to me, she began all over again, laughing at the ending, smiling at the wonderful that happened when she arrived.

[Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything works to singular effect, of that something small growing and rising into something wonderful. Even the text on the cover is kept in lower-case, along with the entire text of the book. And again her phrasing—the wonderful happens—adds freshness and originality to a theme that could feel very ordinary in someone else’s hands.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very cute book about how things happen. The art is good and the story uplifting. One I enjoyed maybe a little more than my son, but there was lots on each page for him to identify (animals being the favorites), so overall a winner.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this to my 4 year old, I discovered that the pace and tone of this book reads like Goodnight Moon.
Warm and wonderful, an excellent quiet-time or bedtime read this book celebrates "the wonderful" in everyday events and ends with "wonderful you" happened. Highly recommended!

[Rakisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book to share wit small children about the wonders of life from a seed growing into a flower and to eventual creation of a child. Sweet, tender, and good way to introduce children to the wonderfulness of life without bringing a specific religion.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

We loved this book. A very sweet story. I definitely would have given this 5 starts, except for one line in the book that bothered my kids and I. "Did you know there was a time when you weren't anywhere?"
All in all a wonderful book though. Cynthia Rylant is a fantastic writer.

[Corrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great flow of everything wonderful that happens...including "YOU".

Thanks Liann

[Crystal Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute togetherness book. Read to my Sweet Prince one evening at the lake - added to the nature effects of the book. Wonderful!

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a very sweet message, and that is what the child will pick up on if you read it with feeling. Otherwise I don't think the story will hold the attention of a two year old.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and happy book. Makes you count the miracles all around you.

[Rachel]

Great book to show the value of each individual student in the classroom.

[Glenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful, beautifully-illustrated, affirming book about the wonder of the life for children.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

to relinquish in the fact that we are all just a miracle

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple picture book, celebrating how wonderful we each are in our own way. The illustrations have a colorful, folk art, country feel. Nice to share with the very young.

[Rachel Goley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful celebration of the little things in life that we often take for granted and a gentle reminder to celebrate all the wonderful in the world.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short, rhyming story that shows how wonderful things come to be. The narrative is soothing and the colorful illustrations really help to tell the tale.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuck.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I was still doing storytimes for elementary kids I would read this book. The story just warms your heart.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wonderful Happens
Rylant, Cynthia
I read this to a second grade class.. i stopped and added in some honour about squirrels which had them rolling in laughter

[Emily Josabeth Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the list of children's books that make me cry because it's so simple yet so sweet.