What do you think?
Rate this book
Be Happy: A Little Book to Help You Live a Happy Life
A meaningful gift for grads, new parents, newlyweds, or anyone starting down a new road in life, this inspirational book of charming cartoons is full of reminders to "be happy!"
Illustrator Monica Sheehan has collected some of her most beloved cartoons from Real Simple magazine in a truly inspirational book that will remind you of the small things that really do matter for a happier show up, do things you're good at, dance...and get a good night's sleep. Be Happy takes up where Life's Little Instruction Book leaves off, pairing simple truths with charming, New Yorker -esque illustrations in an irresistible, pocket-sized package that's all wrapped up with a red elastic ribbon.
Illustrator Monica Sheehan has collected some of her most beloved cartoons from Real Simple magazine in a truly inspirational book that will remind you of the small things that really do matter for a happier show up, do things you're good at, dance...and get a good night's sleep. Be Happy takes up where Life's Little Instruction Book leaves off, pairing simple truths with charming, New Yorker -esque illustrations in an irresistible, pocket-sized package that's all wrapped up with a red elastic ribbon.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2007
6 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 6, 2020
Some would say this does not count as a book, but these would be people who are not very happy. A small book with an idea on every page to be happy. It's my favorite happiness book.
March 12, 2016
It's good to stop and think about all the things we should be happy about. What a sweet gift to receive!
February 8, 2021
A quick, delightful read in just minutes. Simple line drawings pair with suggestions such as "Be kind" to elicit smiles and laughter.
June 5, 2012
very light inspiring book
May 15, 2023
This book truly shows how effective simplicity can be at times, from both the words and the art.
October 11, 2015
SUMMARY: This short and simple book gives many ideas on ways to make yourself happy such as: "Sing and dance a little" and "Be helpful."
ILLUSTRATIONS: The illustrations are cartoon in style and very simplistic, but they get the message across in a cute a fun way.
REVIEW: I love all books that talk about how to make yourself happy, because no one can truly do that for yourself except you. This book is a wonderful springboard book for many many discussions with kids about how some of these things can make you happy. Like: Be the best you, share, be curious, and follow your heart. And this is a simple book so the kids can decide how each thought applies to their own lives. Great for one on one or group reading. Excellent for classroom use.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Advertised for ages 4-8. Great for K-3 classrooms
ILLUSTRATIONS: The illustrations are cartoon in style and very simplistic, but they get the message across in a cute a fun way.
REVIEW: I love all books that talk about how to make yourself happy, because no one can truly do that for yourself except you. This book is a wonderful springboard book for many many discussions with kids about how some of these things can make you happy. Like: Be the best you, share, be curious, and follow your heart. And this is a simple book so the kids can decide how each thought applies to their own lives. Great for one on one or group reading. Excellent for classroom use.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Advertised for ages 4-8. Great for K-3 classrooms
October 4, 2015
I love this little book. Whenever I am feeling especially down, I whip out this collection of ways to be happy. From dancing to being with friends, there are dozens of solutions for loneliness and depression. Each page has something that makes people happy, and a simple drawing. The drawings are my favorite part. It's black and white and is basically stick figures. I recommend picking up this little book t bring some happiness to your life. It is adorable and can really be helpful.
July 14, 2015
A cute book that I happened to chance upon in the airport. Bought it after flipping through and have no regrets in the decision of buying it. The content of the book is so apt and true. I also love how cute the cartoons are! :) Life motto book.
December 5, 2020
An inspiring mini book for not just children but everyone, full of words and adjectives like love, brave, help and.... which are critical and should be considered in everyone's life!
December 31, 2023
This is a very cute book, tiny and simple. It's basically a list of ways to be happy. One page has one sentence and then next to it is a little cute doodle. And that's it. You flip , you read one sentence, look at a drawing, and repeat. Things like believe in yourself, exercise, get a good night's sleep, dont beat yourself up, etc.
I feel like it'd be a cute gift to give certain people. I am actually giving away almost all my books, gave 4 luggage bags away yesterday but.. I think I will keep this book, perhaps when I am sad I will open one random page and give it a thought.
A more personal take/lowkey tmi + how one can use the book:
I think, I like this also because it resonates with something I did back when I had to undergo intense treatment for a mental disorder. My doctor made me write a lot of list, one of em was on how to love myself.
I realize I had to not wait for the feeling of love to magically appear to love myself, but I imagined what I want someone I love to do. As in.. if i had to care for someone I hold deep in my heart what would I want them to do? Eat the right things, brush their teeth, take care of their skin, drink enough water, get enough sleep, sweep their floor, have a clean room, don't let dust gather up in your ceiling fans and lights cause if it falls on u u sneeze n could get sick :P
If I could live with someone I love, I would want to make sure they do these things.
So, I made a list and tried to do those things for myself. Sure, at that time, I didn't love myself (now I do.... Well.... Sometimes 🤣 I mean, I know I'm still pretty whack and stupid really, I still question myself if I'm right in the head or doing the correct things but anyways) and I would just do those actions, at least one a day.
Example, if i could shower and brush my teeth and blabla, then I'd open my book, choose one thing on the list like "make your bed" and I'd do it, even if i don't feel like it, I'd do it. Just one. One a day. One single extra thing to go out of my way and say "I am doing this for myself, so I can learn to love myself, and when I love myself, I will want to improve and fix myself better, and I can hopefully can be a good person once I love myself enough.".
Sometimes, it's just, spray some perfume before you go to sleep so you smell nice, or, light a candle in your room, or, sit down with ur cats.
I think will do the same with this book. Do one extra thing to make myself happy each day
This book really does reminds me of that time in my life, and how hard it was to just learn to be happy and to love myself again, then to figure out how much love is too much or not enough. I had to unlearn and relearn so much back then, that was only love, I had to relearn sadness, anger, fear, everything I had to learn to be human and it broke me, it took so much out of me just to function. Everyday I was trying and it never seemed enough.
I am still in the process of learning. This book, although I don't think I really need it right now, helps.
Maybe, I should make my own version called Love Yourself and just do this same concept but with a list of stuff I wrote back the psychiatric ward 🤣
Tbh, it's a very simple book. I think I just like it a lot cause it reminds me of how hard it was to be happy just a few years ago, how much I tried, and that I still am.
That I still will.
I feel like it'd be a cute gift to give certain people. I am actually giving away almost all my books, gave 4 luggage bags away yesterday but.. I think I will keep this book, perhaps when I am sad I will open one random page and give it a thought.
A more personal take/lowkey tmi + how one can use the book:
I think, I like this also because it resonates with something I did back when I had to undergo intense treatment for a mental disorder. My doctor made me write a lot of list, one of em was on how to love myself.
I realize I had to not wait for the feeling of love to magically appear to love myself, but I imagined what I want someone I love to do. As in.. if i had to care for someone I hold deep in my heart what would I want them to do? Eat the right things, brush their teeth, take care of their skin, drink enough water, get enough sleep, sweep their floor, have a clean room, don't let dust gather up in your ceiling fans and lights cause if it falls on u u sneeze n could get sick :P
If I could live with someone I love, I would want to make sure they do these things.
So, I made a list and tried to do those things for myself. Sure, at that time, I didn't love myself (now I do.... Well.... Sometimes 🤣 I mean, I know I'm still pretty whack and stupid really, I still question myself if I'm right in the head or doing the correct things but anyways) and I would just do those actions, at least one a day.
Example, if i could shower and brush my teeth and blabla, then I'd open my book, choose one thing on the list like "make your bed" and I'd do it, even if i don't feel like it, I'd do it. Just one. One a day. One single extra thing to go out of my way and say "I am doing this for myself, so I can learn to love myself, and when I love myself, I will want to improve and fix myself better, and I can hopefully can be a good person once I love myself enough.".
Sometimes, it's just, spray some perfume before you go to sleep so you smell nice, or, light a candle in your room, or, sit down with ur cats.
I think will do the same with this book. Do one extra thing to make myself happy each day
This book really does reminds me of that time in my life, and how hard it was to just learn to be happy and to love myself again, then to figure out how much love is too much or not enough. I had to unlearn and relearn so much back then, that was only love, I had to relearn sadness, anger, fear, everything I had to learn to be human and it broke me, it took so much out of me just to function. Everyday I was trying and it never seemed enough.
I am still in the process of learning. This book, although I don't think I really need it right now, helps.
Maybe, I should make my own version called Love Yourself and just do this same concept but with a list of stuff I wrote back the psychiatric ward 🤣
Tbh, it's a very simple book. I think I just like it a lot cause it reminds me of how hard it was to be happy just a few years ago, how much I tried, and that I still am.
That I still will.
March 29, 2020
Very short, quick read. Motivating, with great ideas and reminders of ways to make yourself happy + very cute and simple style illustrations. I saw this book for sale in a gift shop in Old Sac a month or so ago and ended up buying it on Amazon a few days later because it was so cute and cheery. It's something you should probably reread/go through every few months.
June 11, 2019
Monica Sheehan's Be Happy is a compact reminder to choose happiness and to practice gratitude. I received Ms. Sheehan's little book as a birthday present, and I value its selection for me. Its a great little pick-me-up for those "in a funk" days.
November 19, 2019
Little motivation thoughts in one short sentence accompany with a minimalist but pretty drawing. Simple enough, but good enough as well. The kind of book where you go back from time to time, reading random pages. I like it!
April 6, 2024
Be Happy by Monica Sheehan is such a gem! I bought this book for my partner and we ended up reading it together in one sitting. We both loved the book especially its beautiful yet simple illustration.
October 17, 2017
Frases motivadoras, dibujos sencillos. Prometía hacerme más feliz, estoy que igual que antes de empezarlo 😂
September 29, 2018
Pick it up anytime to remind yourself that there are so many little things around you that can make you happy!
October 15, 2018
Sencilla y simpaticamente, sabios consejos.
October 19, 2019
Fun book with cute drawings. Flipped through and read it in a thrift shop in Connecticut.
November 11, 2020
I hope this cute book count as a read. At least it makes me smile and reflect.
September 2, 2022
A really quick reading, but very heartwarming♡
I'm not gonna review a lot about this book. It's just too special for me. Glad I found you at the BBW Books🥹
I'm not gonna review a lot about this book. It's just too special for me. Glad I found you at the BBW Books🥹
September 10, 2023
A very quick read. Basically a book with quick snippets on how to be happy with illustrations.
March 8, 2024
Beautiful 😍😍😍
April 7, 2024
It’s a lovely book ti carry around. Either as a physical book or digital. To keep as a reminder of how and why you should choose to be happy
December 19, 2024
I need to re-read this so I can properly adapt everything.
December 29, 2025
simple, bonito
December 26, 2016
I bought myself this book back in high school when I was depressed. Today I had to go through my things at my childhood home as it will eventually go up for sale. I re-found this book, I forgot I had annotated it a bit, and that brought me back a smile. It was my attempt to relate things the book said to my life and things to do. Reinforce the happiness. I reread this book today because recently a friend reached out to me and confessed he had been depressed for the last few months; I plan to pass it onto him. I love the simplicity in this book, and i didn't feel judged for my unhappiness when reading it, I felt supported to overcome it. I definitely think this book is good for these situations and also just a fun table book.
June 17, 2013
This little picture book is a great book to share with adults and kids. The great thing about this book is that it explains things that one needs to be happy, and it's full of all those things that money just can't buy, in a way that anyone that picks this book up can understand.
The pictures used here are adorable and help highlight the points this book is trying to get across.
If you have time do read out this book, I doubt you will regret it! It is a fast, easy and full of those little things we sometimes forget on the high speed race of our daily life.
The pictures used here are adorable and help highlight the points this book is trying to get across.
If you have time do read out this book, I doubt you will regret it! It is a fast, easy and full of those little things we sometimes forget on the high speed race of our daily life.
November 28, 2014
I discovered this awesome little book while researching for a lesson on happiness to use with my ESL conversation class. I first found videos of the book on Youtube, which I shared with my class. Then I searched for the actual book and purchased several copies for myself and to share with friends. All who have received it have loved it. It’s a small book filled with line drawings and short sayings to motivate and inspire. I keep it by my bed and have reread it on several “gray” days. It’s a short, but inspirational read and a great gift.
October 17, 2020
A sweet little read! A superb day starter, book in one hand, coffee in the other. It's meant for kids 4-8 but I bought this months ago and gave a couple to adult friends who needed a pick me up.
Perky, bright artwork with easy upbeat simple text and since we're in a pandemic year this 2020, the copy--'Go outside! PLAY! EXPLORE!' fits perfectly.
Published in 2010 be happy! still resonates, even more right now and every day. At the back there's a list you can fill in, what are you happy for right now? This little book for starters.
Perky, bright artwork with easy upbeat simple text and since we're in a pandemic year this 2020, the copy--'Go outside! PLAY! EXPLORE!' fits perfectly.
Published in 2010 be happy! still resonates, even more right now and every day. At the back there's a list you can fill in, what are you happy for right now? This little book for starters.
May 15, 2016
This book was displayed in the book store with other picture books - all of which really could make a nice gift for an adult, especially a graduate. The advice in it is universal and there are no great surprises or insights in there, but there are reminders of very important and simple things that really do make for a happier life. The illustrations are very cute. I knew when I bought this one that it wasn't really for the grandchildren but for me :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews