The Feel Good Book Book

In an ideal world, a primer on feeling good just wouldn't be necessary. But thankfully, the jubilantly goofy Todd Parr knows that we could all use a tip or two from time to time, no matter how old we are. Just as he did in Do's and Don'ts, The Okay Book, and his other titles (16 and counting), Parr keeps it super simple, with fat lines, bold colors, and a repetitively cheery, often silly message. His words get some smiles here and there ("Brushing your hair with a lion feels good," "Making sounds like a monkey feels good"), but it's the vibrant, uncluttered, kid-style illustrations and the way that Parr juxtaposes them with the text that makes this book such fun. "Making a new friend" accompanies a fat, happy pig holding hands with a skunk sporting a thin red smile; "Watching your grandma and grandpa dance feels good" sits above a couple of funky, freaky grandparents doing a dance that can only be described as "the Keith Haring." Parr closes the book a little philosophically, with a handwritten "Love, Todd" note: "It feels good to think about all the things that make you feel good. Rubbing my dog's tummy makes me feels good--and him, too. What things make you feel good?" In a kids' book, it's easy for simple to become simply insubstantial, but Parr's enthusiasm carries the day--and if you can be made to feel good, you will. (Ages 4 to 8) --Paul HughesRead More