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Name:

My Happy Life

Author: Rose Lagercrantz

Illustrator: Eva Eriksson

(2 reviews)Add your review about this book

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Quote: One of those joyous rarities: a book about girls who are neither infallible nor pratfall-prone, but who are instead very real — both admirable and relatable... If only all early chapter books were this beautifully conceived.
New York Times, April 2013
Synopsis: Dani is probably the happiest person she knows.
She’s happy because she’s going to start school. She's been waiting to go to school her whole life.

Then things get even better—she meets Ella. Dani and Ella stick together through wet and dry, sun and rain, thick and thin. They do everything together.

But then things start to happen that Dani isn’t prepared for…
The Independent (UK) Books of the Year 2012
This tale is a winner.
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New York Times, April 2013
One of those joyous rarities: a book about girls who are neither ...
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Kate De Goldi review, National Radio, February 2013
Dani is an irrepressibly happy child. The happiness in her life, ...
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Kirkus Reviews (US), February 2013
A chapter book about childhood depression paradoxically delivers ...
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The Scotsman (UK), October 2012
The story accurately captures life through a little girl’s eyes a...
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The Children’s Bookshop, August 2012
Dani is so happy because she’s finally going to start school ... ...
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Library Mice (UK), September 2012
A wonderful little book, perfect for children getting into a pace...
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Around the Bookshops, August 2012
A believable and charming story that will ring true for many smal...
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Bookrapt, July 2012
Written with humour and pathos this is an up-beat chapter book fo...
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Parents in Touch (UK), August 2012
An approachable and accessible introduction to more meaty chapter...
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All the Buzz About Books (Australia), February 2013
What a fun and sweet book about a little girl called Dani and her...
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Starred review, Booklist (US), April 2013
The clarity and simplicity of the writing are balanced by the ver...
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Taranaki Daily News, November 2012
My Happy Life...is one of the best early chapter books I have eve...
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School Library Journal (US), March 2013
The illustrations complement the narrative well, and will enable ...
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Jean Little Library, April 2013
This simple chapter book perfectly captures the the mindset of a ...
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The Gisborne Herald, September 2012
My Happy Life is a story of friendship between two young girls wh...
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Care Matters Magazine, October 2012
Dani is probably the happiest person she knows. She’s happy becau...
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The School Librarian (UK), Winter 2012
Ideal read-aloud material for the younger child. In an engaging s...
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Readings, Malvern (Australia), May 2013
Children will easily identify with the anxiety of the unknown, th...
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Awards
  • Nominated for the German Youth Literature Prize 2012
Country of origin Sweden
Translator Julia Marshall
Editor     Penelope Todd
Age 6+
Size 136pp, 210mm x 148mm
ISBN 978-1-877467-80-6 Paperback
Published by Gecko Press in August 2012
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A Happy Experience! -

Matt    Thu Nov 22, 2012

I sat down with my six-year-old boy the other night, intending to read him a few chapters of this book before bed. I ended up reading all 134 pages in one sitting... We both connected with this story. After I turned out the light, he called me back and said “Dad, if I can’t get to sleep, I’ll count all the times I’ve been happy – like the girl in the book.” Highly recommended.

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Great First Chapter Book -

Desna    Tue Jul 24, 2012

This is an ideal first chapter book for those girls who are newly independent readers. A delightful story of friendship, hope and honesty. The cover alone was enough to make me buy the book and the black line drawings inside are a treasure. This is simply a goregous book with a lovely story for 6 and 7 year old girls.

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