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A Year of Good News
Are you one of those people who feel that over the last few years we have had more than our fair share of bad news? This fabulous gift book is a perfect antidote to bad news stories. Filled with happiness and positivity, this celebrates the good things in life, and puts a smile on any reader's face!
112 pages, Hardcover
Published April 25, 2023
1 person is currently reading
2341 people want to read
About the author
Martin Smatana
8 books12 followersMartin Smatana is a Slovak artist. He does stop-motion animation and work manually using different materials, usually textile and paper. He studied Animation at VSMU in Bratislava and at FAMU in Prague. His graduation film The Kite premiered at Berlinale 2019, selected to semifinals of Student Academy Awards, included in the Film Collection of MoMA and won over 60 international awards.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 20, 2023
Some of these "good news" stories were just down right depressing- this is good news?? Sure some of them are actually good news (ex polio finally being eradicated in Africa), but others (most) are just fluff? Really disappointing. Honestly the fact that this book is called a year of good news but they couldn't even come up with 365 good news stories and instead settled for 52 is just, so sad.
May 25, 2023
This is a beautiful book of unique art centered around feel good stories. I love the ability to read the full stories when you are done reading the book. This would be a great book for long term care facilities as the words are few and the art very easy to relate to. It is nice to be able to read stories about positive things!!
November 11, 2021
K ranajkám. Krása
July 6, 2025
This is a sweet book. Most of the stories are about kindness and care for one another during the pandemic. Some things many of us would do in the same circumstances - not so extraordinary. Some things we have heard about, contrary to the author’s belief. Some stories reflect real ingenuity which inspired me.
I struggled with one story being about posting pictures of rainbows in windows and another being about eradicating polio in Africa. These are not the same type of story.
The stories here are three star level, but I gave an extra star for the adorable illustrations.
I’d love to see a book like this highlight stories of oppressed people gaining access to power in ways that benefit the collective. That would be five star material for me.
I struggled with one story being about posting pictures of rainbows in windows and another being about eradicating polio in Africa. These are not the same type of story.
The stories here are three star level, but I gave an extra star for the adorable illustrations.
I’d love to see a book like this highlight stories of oppressed people gaining access to power in ways that benefit the collective. That would be five star material for me.
August 28, 2022
Túto knihu vybrala v knižnici moja dcérka a urobila veľmi dobre, potešili sme sa obe :)
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September 9, 2025 Everyone needs something optimistic sometimes, and this more than fit the bill for me. Smatana's art is fantastic, and all of the examples are real, with a QR code in the back of the book if you want to delve more into the various stories. We all need a reminder of the power of human kindness sometimes.
January 20, 2023
I will gladly read all of the "upworthy"/"good news"/human interest stories I can find, the chicken soup for the soul, the bits about people changing the world for the better. And the textile illustrations are gorgeous! A great page a week reminder of happy happenings, and an inspiration to makers big and small to commemorate things visually.
July 14, 2023
While sold as a children's book, these pages hold goodness which will catch the smiles of all ages.
Sadness, depression, and wonders about the state of the world today drift away thanks to the rays of light and hope offered in these pages. There are 52 events mentioned, one for every week of the year. These are taken from news articles around the world, small and big, and demonstrate that wonderful things happen constantly. The moments cover everything from a hospital's kindness to kids to a bus stop surprise and much, much more. Each of these is a true occurrence, but very few will be already known to readers, since these aren't earth-shattering things. They just brighten the world and prove that kindness has not disappeared. Not by any means.
The author has kept the text very short and concise, usually only using two or three sentences (at most). But that's all which is needed to make each one clear, understandable, and lighten the heart. The text is in the middle of the page and in bold and large font. Across from it (on the other side of the 2-page spread) is a bright and whimsical photo of a display, which the author crafted to depict the scene. These are done, mostly, in cloth and with sewn characters. There is so much love, detail and effort put into each one, and these do come across wonderfully. Plus, the textured effect offers warmth, while the details invite readers to flip through the pages and explore these again and again.
This is a book, which invites to be picked up whenever the heart desires. While there are 52 stories, which are said to be read each week, it's too addicting. Instead, everyone in my family who touched it, jumped here and there to see what other touching moments are shown. It's the type of book to be left on the nightstand or side table, and will capture the attention of a large variety and ages of readers. This one is going to join my own main bookshelf for years to come. I received a complimentary copy and will enjoy this one for years to come.
Sadness, depression, and wonders about the state of the world today drift away thanks to the rays of light and hope offered in these pages. There are 52 events mentioned, one for every week of the year. These are taken from news articles around the world, small and big, and demonstrate that wonderful things happen constantly. The moments cover everything from a hospital's kindness to kids to a bus stop surprise and much, much more. Each of these is a true occurrence, but very few will be already known to readers, since these aren't earth-shattering things. They just brighten the world and prove that kindness has not disappeared. Not by any means.
The author has kept the text very short and concise, usually only using two or three sentences (at most). But that's all which is needed to make each one clear, understandable, and lighten the heart. The text is in the middle of the page and in bold and large font. Across from it (on the other side of the 2-page spread) is a bright and whimsical photo of a display, which the author crafted to depict the scene. These are done, mostly, in cloth and with sewn characters. There is so much love, detail and effort put into each one, and these do come across wonderfully. Plus, the textured effect offers warmth, while the details invite readers to flip through the pages and explore these again and again.
This is a book, which invites to be picked up whenever the heart desires. While there are 52 stories, which are said to be read each week, it's too addicting. Instead, everyone in my family who touched it, jumped here and there to see what other touching moments are shown. It's the type of book to be left on the nightstand or side table, and will capture the attention of a large variety and ages of readers. This one is going to join my own main bookshelf for years to come. I received a complimentary copy and will enjoy this one for years to come.
June 19, 2023
I read the news today, oh boy.” If this is how you feel when you read the newspaper, then this book, “52 good-news stories from around the world,” will be just the thing to lift your spirits. Each numbered news item is just one paragraph long, sometimes just one sentence, and perfectly worded to find the kernel of positivity in the event. Facing the story is a full page illustration composed of pieces of textiles of many textures. The author is an animator, and the artwork does indeed create an active, engaging snapshot which encapsulates the event.
The events the author chose come from around the world, many of them from during the pandemic lockdown. One of my favorites was number 18: “The authorities in Iceland recommended that lonely people missing physical contact during the pandemic hug trees. Research has shown that this is very beneficial, reducing stress and improving general health.” The illustration shows a bundled up youngster happily hugging a tree made of herringbone tweed, with a squirrel hugging the tree above. It’s heartwarming and adorable.
A QR code at the end of the book takes the reader to the author’s website where there is more information about the stories, as well as a few new ones.
The events the author chose come from around the world, many of them from during the pandemic lockdown. One of my favorites was number 18: “The authorities in Iceland recommended that lonely people missing physical contact during the pandemic hug trees. Research has shown that this is very beneficial, reducing stress and improving general health.” The illustration shows a bundled up youngster happily hugging a tree made of herringbone tweed, with a squirrel hugging the tree above. It’s heartwarming and adorable.
A QR code at the end of the book takes the reader to the author’s website where there is more information about the stories, as well as a few new ones.
August 5, 2024
Children's book, inspirational non-fiction. This book reminds me of the Chicken Soup series, just full of good news stories to restore your faith in humanity. But these are short, one sentence stories with texturized illustrations lovingly made from fabric and photographed. Many of the stories were set during the pandemic, but not all of them. There is a man who couldn't get a flight and sailed for 85 days to see his father on his 90th birthday, a Japanese man who planted a special garden so his blind wife could appreciate the fragrance, and window cleaners at a children's hospital that dressed as superheroes to bring joy to the children. That is just a brief sampling of the hopeful stories from around the world. It really does bring a smile to your face and encourage you to sift through the news and find the good news that is not as quickly featured.
December 27, 2024
Out shopping for books for children on my holiday list, I couldn’t resist buying this gorgeous book for myself. The stories are uplifting, reminding the reader of how much good there is in the world. The art is creative and happy, supportive of the story it illustrates. Quite as good for adults as it is for children. One reservation: some of the stories may not be appropriate for children below middle school. Of course, all books are probably inappropriate for certain individuals, children or adults.
December 26, 2022
A true gem! I really love Martin Smatana's work and his cute little good stories which inspire and give hope! The artwork is also super cute, and he also upcycles second-hand clothes to make it... <3
Make sure to follow him on Instagram for more -https://www.instagram.com/martin.smat... <3 Beautiful!
Make sure to follow him on Instagram for more -https://www.instagram.com/martin.smat... <3 Beautiful!
September 15, 2023
It was simple reading but definitely not a children ‘s book as I thought it would be. It was also not 365 days of good news but instead, a story a week. Still it was a reminder of caring people in our world. Wish there had been empty pages in the back because I could have added friends and family that quietly make good things happen too.
January 24, 2024
I loved this collection of good news. Most of the news stories are connected to the first year of the pandemic, which makes sense since this project was born out of that time. However, reading this book in 2024, the stories still felt very relevant and timely. I love the fabric illustrations paired with the stories.
May 30, 2023
Super cute. Would make a great gift as not only the content but the quality of the book itself is artful (puffy cover!). I also love that the QR code at back allows you to follow up on the deets of each individual story if interested, while keeping the content on each page clean and simple.
July 20, 2023
This delightful book of 52 feel-good stories, each no longer than a paragraph, will brighten your day. Many center on acts of kindness during the COVID lockdown. The book is illustrated with textile collage and is super charming.
September 29, 2023
My 8-year-old twins and I loved this book. We split it into a few nights because there were so many we stopped to talk about and awe over. We marked a few to look up for more information. These “headlines” are inspiring and such good examples of kindness, inclusion and community.
January 23, 2023
Beautiful illustrations & nice little stories 🌻
April 27, 2023
A work of heart and a work of pure genius. And the art is unique and incredible.
May 8, 2023
This is like if you printed your Instagram feed if you followed all good news paired with fabric art. I think it's a good book to have. A QR code allows readers to read more about each story.
July 2, 2023
Very inspiring
November 10, 2023
Uplifting and enjoyable short snippets of wonderful news stories.
April 16, 2025
Checked out from Fort Worth Wedgwood library; Recommended from Barnes and Noble blog "The 50 Best Baby Books to Bring to a Baby Shower" 7/50
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews