Layla's Happiness

by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie, Ashleigh Corrin (Illustrator)

Seven-year-old Layla loves life! So she keeps a happiness book. What is happiness for her? For you?

Spirited and observant, Layla is a child who's been given room to grow, making happiness both thoughtful and intimate. It's her dad talking about growing-up in South Carolina; her mom reading poetry; her best friend Juan, the community garden, and so much more. Written by poet Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and illustrated by Ashleigh Corrin, this is a story of flourishing within family and community.

Genres: Picture Books, African American, Family, Emotion, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published November 19, 2019

About the author

Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie is the author of Strut (Agape Editions), Dear Continuum: Letters to a Poet Crafting Liberation (Grand Concourse Press) and Karma’s Footsteps (Flipped Eye Publishing). She served as Poetry Editor of African Voices from 2013 to 2017. Her work has been published in numerous literary journals and anthologies. Tallie is the subject of a short film “I Leave My Colors Everywhere.” Tallie earned an MFA from Mills College. She’s currently a Ph.D. student at Brown University.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and illustrator Ashleigh Corrin create a happy, exuberant, colorful book that sort of reminds me of The Sound of Music song, "My Favorite Things," since it is mainly a random list of what makes Layla happy. And then it kinda made me happy, and made me begin to make my own list.

I read this because it is on Maria Popova's Brainpickings list of the best picture books of 2o19.

[Julie Ehlers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Layla's Happiness is the second picture book I've read on the recommendation of the Brain Pickings website (the first was Walking in the City with Jane). I'm generally not a big picture-book reader and I'm always irrationally surprised by how short they are, but this was truly a beautiful and uplifting book. It makes you think about what actually makes you happy, something that, as adults, we may not consider seriously enough. I can't get all the way to five stars for such a brief book, but I do recommend this for all ages.

[Karen Witzler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming picture book about Layla's favorite things. Beautiful illustrations. Quiet and thoughtful. Urban setting, but with a community garden.

[Christina Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Layla's Happiness to my nieces through a virtual reading experience with their Auntie while NY was on pause for COVID-19 and it was the perfect book for us because when I think of joy, I can't help but see their little faces. All of Auntie's babies are joy personified! It's in their giggles and smiles and bubbles over in their imaginations and the creative ways they play. Layla is 7 years old and happiness is all around her. It's in wearing a favorite color (purple, like me). It's in the stories her dad tells and inside the blanket fort where her mom reads her poetry. It's in the community garden and farmer's market too and in the good times spent with friends. Layla's happiness is something we can all use a healthy dose of. She'll inspire you to notice the wonder that surrounds you each day.

I really enjoyed Layla's Happiness and my nieces did too. Her joy is infectious and permeates every single page through Ashleigh Corrin's brilliant illustrations which add a bright cheerfulness to the experience. The fonts that were used and the weight and texture of the paper also added to my delight with this book. I will definitely be adding a copy to our K-5 library collection. It is recommended for ages 4-8.

[Cristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story of family, community, love & happiness reads beautifully and leads to wonderful conversations with my daughter. A perfect read aloud paired with whimsical illustrations.

[Deborah]

Charming and lusciously illustrated. I think children could have fun after reading this illustrating pages of their own "happinesses".

[Becki Iverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just the cutest, most positive kid's book. The entire thing is literally just about finding joy and beauty everywhere in your life. The illustrations look like they could have been drawn by a child themselves and are very sweet. This is sure to leave you with a smile in your heart and a beam on your face. Great one to help train kids (and even grownups) in seeing positives everywhere they look.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes some strange poetic imagery that isn't great for a picture book audience, but it's great overall. I love the vivid, colorful illustrations, and the book prompts adults and children to talk about the things in the natural world, the relationships, and the activities that inspire happiness for them.

[JoAnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three-line review: The little girl in this book finds happiness in everyday joys: her father's
stories, sand dollars found at the beach, and chasing her friend, Juan. Everybody's happiness story would be a little bit different, and this book is a good reminder that there are beautiful details in each of our lives that define "happiness," and we need to look for them. One other thing I especially liked about this book was the diversity of characters and subtle undertones of community cohesiveness.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first couple pages of this book read more literary, like a poem (the line about the "wish flower's sister" was more on the poetry side). Then it's a darling list of all the little things that Layla finds happiness in (sand dollars, planting a tomato seed and watching it grow, her dad telling stories about where he grew up, etc). A great book to ask kids what kinds of things make them happy.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the simple joy in this book and the invitation at the end to think about what happiness is for the reader. I had a big smile on my face as I read so I think the book had its intended effect.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joyful illustrations.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

For seven-year old Layla, happiness is all about the small things in life. She finds the dark sky to be pretty, and loves everything from climbing trees to the color purple. The love for her family and friends is just as important, listening to her father’s stories about growing up in South Carolina, her mother reading her poetry, and chasing her friend Juan all bring her joy. Having patience also means happiness, like when she plants seeds and watches plants grow into vegetables to be sold at the farmer’s market. Yet, all of these unique examples apply to Layla’s life and she wonders, “What is happiness to you?”

This cheerful, quick read is filled with colors reminiscent of summer, from top to bottom solid vibrant colors fill the pages. The compositions are simple and balanced, and across the layouts there are swirly lines that draw the eye to lively movement. The illustrations help enhance the details of the story as Layla tells it, but in particular, the art strengthens the importance of relationships, with separate layouts dedicated to special moments with mom, dad, and friends. Families with an only child will relate to the importance of parents and friends as main companions and the ability to make the best of everyday solitary tasks.

[Hannah Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of seven year old Layla, whose name means means “night beauty,” who found happiness in everyday life—mom and dad, climbing a tree, planting tomato seeds and watching them grow. The book reflects a richly diverse community. Layla is a child who's been given room to grow, making happiness both thoughtful and intimate. It's her dad talking about growing-up in South Carolina; her mom reading poetry; her best friend Juan, the community garden, and so much more.

The illustrations that make up this book definitely help accentuate Layla's feelings toward life. They are very colorful and happy, just like how Layla lived her life. The text on the page also has life to it. Some of the words are bolded in colors and are in a fun font to make it more enjoyable for the reader.

This book was very cute in how it expressed Layla's happiness. It represents the celebration of community, but also individualism, what Layla loves and what makes her happy is so specific to her and her family's experience. It teaches all who read it that in uncertain or challenging times, books like Layla's Happiness are bright spots of inspiration. They carry us through and remind us of the gifts we have. The gifts of people in our lives or small moments

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seven-year-old Layla shares a list of the things which make her happy in this colorful, upbeat picture book from author Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and illustrator Ashleigh Corrin. From the full moon to climbing a tree, wearing purple to eating spaghetti without a fork, Layla enjoys the simple things, as well those—like her father sharing stories of his childhood in South Carolina or her mother reading her poetry—that connect her to the people around her. The book closes as she asks the reader what happiness is to them...

Layla's Happiness is the first book I have read from both of these creators, and is a title I requested from the library after becoming aware of Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie through the forthcoming release of another one of her picture books. That one is to be illustrated by Aaron Becker, whose work I do know, and greatly admire. In any case, I am glad I tracked it down, as it is a cheerful and (appropriately) happy book, one which leaves a smile on the reader's face. There isn't really a story here, the the text is fun all of the same, and the accompanying artwork expressive and full of life. I'd recommend this one to those seeking picture books about emotions—specifically, happiness—or featuring winsome little black girls.

[Briceli Alfaro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happiness looks different for everyone, and that’s what makes this book so special. In Layla’s Happiness, a girl named Layla shares what makes her happy, like climbing trees, reading, and spending time with her family. I love how the story feels simple but full of meaning. The major themes are joy and self expression, showing that happiness is found in the small things we love and in being ourselves. The genre of this book is realistic fiction with a poetic style. Through this story I learned to appreciate everyday moments and to find happiness in my own way. This was a WOW book for me because it made me think about what really makes me happy in life.

The author used imagery to make Layla’s world come to life, describing colors, sounds, and feelings that made me feel like I was right there with her. She also used repetition to give the story rhythm and flow, with each page adding another piece of Layla’s happiness. It made the book feel calm and joyful. I would consider this an anti-bias book because it celebrates diversity and confidence. It shows a young girl proud of who she is and teaches kids that happiness comes from love, identity, and being yourself.

[FM Family · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book is not bad, but fairly disjointed. Like it midway becomes an ode to a community garden for a number of pages and you're like "oh wait, is this a book about community gardening?" but then it's just not anymore. Colourful and engaging images, if you like the style of sort of a slice of life of things a character likes, but not really a plot, this would work. My three year old was VERY disappointed by it though, we brought it up to read as a bedtime book and at the end she was basically like "that was it?" and you could just see her be like - I spent one of my precious bedtime stories for that? If you're looking for books with a Black, female protagonist I preferred When Grandma Gives You a Lemon Tree or Grandma's Purse. Although as I'm looking through the books now I see that I don't have anything else that's just like " these are the things I like and don't like" so it fills a niche for that.

[Emme Koutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layla is a seven year old girl who can find happiness in almost everything. She begins talking about why she loves the night and how her name means "night beauty". Next she begins to list all the different things that bring happiness to her, like spending time is the community garden and all the different things she can do there. At the end the question is asked what happiness means to the audience. This is a great book to show kids and have them to think about all the things that make them happy. Seeing how many things Layla likes are very simple may help give kids a reminder that there is no limit to what you can do to make yourself happy. I gave this book five stars because I enjoyed how Layla found happiness in everything from watching butterflies to eating spaghetti. Additionally, I like that there are a lot of things kids can relate to that may help generate more curiosity in them like who else may enjoy those things and what other things make them happy.

[Michelle Gallegos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Layla's Happiness is expressed and illustrated in beauty colorful illustrations throughout the book. In this book Layla, the narrator, describes what happiness means to her and even encourages reader to think what happiness means to them. Layla points out all the aspects of her life that bring joy, even the little things in life.
The illustrations in the picture book are illustrated with many bright colors setting the mood of a fun and happy environment for Layla. The illustrations almost seems as a child drew them themselves, using many basic shapes to illustrate. I really like how the text is also done in fun fonts and key idea word are done in yellow.
Im sure children will have fun reading such book and it can create a great discussion about what happiness is to them.

[Alyssa Villafuerte · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Layla’s Happiness” written by Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and written by Ashleigh Corrin, is a story of flourishing within family and community. It has earned the Ezra Jack Keats Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Honor.
This book centers around Layla, a little girl who is telling the readers about her joys, she prompts them to think about how they define happiness in their own lives. My opinion on this book is that it is an elated (proud/ecstatically happy) book and it made me feel like any activities I do make me happy and make me feel some type of satisfaction. I think little kids would also like this book because it gives off positive energy and it can make the kids feel seen. This book is appropriate for preschoolers and kindergartners.

I give this book a 5/5

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I think I loved it because the pages explode with joy and warmth. It's a simple story - just a girl telling you what happiness means to her. The text is brief, but it uses colors and every day relatable moments to describe joy. It is a book that helps you look more closely at the little bright spots in your day and life. I think that's a reminder we all need at any age. The illustrations are textured and warm in a way that reminds me of summer days. This is a great one for reading aloud and I love the question offered on the last page - let it start a conversation with your kids!

[Natalie Mathers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spirited and observant, Layla’s a child who’s been given room to grow, making happiness both thoughtful and intimate. It’s her dad talking about growing-up in South Carolina; her mom reading poetry; her best friend Juan, the community garden, and so much more. This book goes into detail about the life of this seven year old girl, and how much she enjoys it. She keeps a happiness book to document how happy she is in her everyday life. I would give this book a ⅗ rating. It does a good job of showing ways to express yourself as a young child. However, it is almost too happy, as it may give some children who don’t have it as good a false sense of happiness.

[Allyson Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layla’s Happiness is a heartwarming story about a young girl, Layla, who learns to find joy in the small moments of everyday life. The book explores themes of mindfulness, gratitude, and emotional awareness, helping children recognize and celebrate what makes them happy. Its gentle narrative and expressive illustrations make it accessible and relatable for young readers. In a future classroom, I will definitely be using this book to guide discussions about emotions, create activities where students identify what brings them happiness, and incorporate mindfulness practices to support social-emotional learning.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Layla happiness is the night sky, planting seeds, and watching Juan's parents dance the salsa. She takes joy in the time she spends with her parents, and in who she is. Every page effuses this glowing feeling of positivity and love towards herself and her multicultural community. Corrin's illustrations are equally pleasant, displaying the brown-skinned girl and her activities in chalk-like medium with a hand-written style font. The colour palette is broad, switching to different dominant colours to present slight variations of the tone. A most deserving winner of the Ezra Jack Keats Award.

[Valerie Munguia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rate this story a 5.5. It's a short simple story about a young girl doing things that bring happiness to her. The illustrations go along so well with the story the author even asks how you find happiness. Kids might like this because this might inspire them to find what brings them happiness or even just give them ideas on what to do if they are looking for happiness. I enjoyed reading this book it really had my brain thinking about what makes me happy. So I do think kids should read this book. I recommend reading this book.

[Ashlyn May · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Layla's Happiness" talks about the many things that make Layla happy and the hobbies she enjoys. For example, she talked about reading poetry with her mom or planting in the community garden. I could use this book in class to make an about me poster at the beginning of the year. The book can spark ideas of what other people like to do, and then they will be able to personally think about themselves. I could then have them create a self-portrait with things that make them happy sticking out from it.

[Samantha Richards]

Layla's Happiness is about a girl named Layla who has a big imagination and finds the happiness in small moments. She finds happiness in things like climbing trees, planting flowers, and eating spaghetti without a fork. We see the world through her eyes and see the gratitude joy she feels. I could use this book to discuss social emotional learning specifically joy. I can have discussions with my students about how they can bring happiness into their everyday lives and create a list of things that make us happy.

[Kailey Angelacos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bright and poetic story follows Layla as she describes all the things that make her happy, such as gardening, dancing, her favorite color, and spending time with family. It is full of joy, imagination, and a celebration of everyday life. I love how it encourages children to notice what brings them happiness and to appreciate simple moments. In my future classroom, I'd use his book to support social-emotional learning and self-expression by inviting children to draw or share their own happiness stories.

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

I focused on the theme of happy during storytime and this fit nicely!

This book has a lot of artistic elements to it. The rich illustrations and the hand lettered story. The lettering is a mix of fonts but also a mix between print and cursive. The book ends on a question so you could easily stretch this into a room discussion or activity. I went with what makes me happy - reading together, "The More We Read Together" piggyback song.

2026 storytime theme: Happy Year

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Jenn Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally like this but some mixed feelings. The hand-written style font might make it difficult for some children to read on their own. I liked when she was listing all the different things that make her happy and the way that it invites readers/listeners to share what makes them happy. However, the random poetic phrasing (like "wish flower's sister") is jarring when most of the book is so straight forward and literal.

3.5