Big Bear Ball by JoAnne Ryder & Illus by Steven Kellogg

This book is a riot of color and exuberance. 

I am sure I have already discussed my childhood obsession with Steven Kellogg. But if I haven't, he was a rockstar in my little kid library. Pinkerton! That wild sea monster! The tadpole that got too big! Paul Bunyan! Johnny Appleseed! 

He was kind of a big deal to us.

Those colors though!

This book is rhyming and lilting, one of those books that is sort of like a song without a tune.

Mostly, this book has a lot of bears getting together for a shin-dig.

And these bears do not stint on enthusiasm.

So much enthusiasm they get the other animals involved.

They even take on Gator.

And with the sunrise, they are away.

Until next time!

Seriously. Even though a lot of my favorite illustrators today use a muted palette and folk-arty style, Steven Kellogg will always have a place in my heart. 

My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith & Illus by Julie Flett

This book was sitting at our school bookfair, in among all the Shopkins, unicorn journals, and Disney character easy readers. 

I am not generally a huge fan of Scholastic bookfairs. BUT. This book. 

The dedication immediately piqued my interest. 

This book is dedicated to the former Indian Residential School students and their families--may you find what you seek...

Indian Residential Schools always interest me--such a devastating part of American history that is so under the radar. 

This book is full of reasons our hearts fill with happiness. 

The illustrations by Julie Flett are gorgeous. I love that they feature Native people. 

This page right here sold me on the whole book. Heart eyes! 

oh the delight

Love, love, love!

Grandmothers are the best

And at the end, we get a chance to think about what makes us happiest. 

A narwhal mommy and baby and a grandfather and grandbaby. 

Pass it On by Sophy Henn

Here is a bright burst of color on a grey, winter day! 

Except, I took these pictures in low light, so they aren't as BRIGHT as I would like. 

Pretty much any book with balloons on the cover is going to make me look at it. One of those psychological idiosyncrasies. 

I love the message of this book as well.

If something delights you, you can let it change your attitude and allow others to be made happier just because you are happy. 

I love spotting things of wonder and this book totally justifies me gushing about them to anyone who will listen. 

Things that justify me, delight me. 

Aren't they adorable? 

Even when things are grey and gloomy, things can always be made better with a big orange elephant. 

Pretty sure that is a fact of life. 

I love, love, love this book.