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< Picture Books Library
Categories: Confidence & Self-esteem, Curiosity & Creativity, Feelings, Resilience / adaptability, Sadness

The Jar of Happiness

Many children can feel insecure out of their comfort zone and are therefore "unhappy" if something goes wrong  - this book strives to acknowledge that these feelings are normal, and that there are ways to feel better.
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The Jar of Happiness

Author: Ailsa Burrows
Illustrator: Ailsa Burrows
Publisher: Child's Play

Meg is a little girl with a special jar which is full of all the things that make her happy. Smells, sounds, colours and tastes in her jar make her think of good things. Meg shares the jar with people who need it, and it seems to help them, too.

But when Meg loses her jar, she is very upset. How will she cope, without her jar of happiness?

This video link is provided to help an adult assess the book's suitability for a child's situation before purchasing it. It has been filmed by a third party and hosted on YouTube and is not made by Little Parachutes. More info

The messages we found in this book:

Acknowledgement:

Many children can feel insecure out of their comfort zone and are therefore “unhappy” if something goes wrong  – this book strives to acknowledge that these feelings are normal, and that there are ways to feel better.

Guidance:

In the story, Meg has her own strategy – her jar of happiness – that she calls upon to cheer herself up. But when this goes missing, the book suggests other ways in which Meg can feel secure again. Happy thoughts, hugs and smiles all achieve the same result as her jar of happiness, allowing Meg to move forward without it.

Hope & Inspiration:

At the end of the story, Meg comes to realise that her happiness isn’t dependent on her jar, but on those around her, and so she can he happy once more.

Review by: Rebecca Seymour

Categories: Confidence & Self-esteem, Curiosity & Creativity, Feelings, Resilience / adaptability, Sadness
Tags: anxiety, emotions, feelings



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What is a Parachute Book?

A challenging experience can make a young child feel as if they are in emotional free fall. As a parent, you can’t stop them falling, but you can offer them a softer landing:
a Parachute Book.

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The information provided on the Little Parachutes website is not a substitute for professional care by a qualified practitioner, and is not intended to provide medical advice. If you are concerned about the health and wellbeing of yourself or children in your care, you should always consult an appropriate healthcare professional.