Choose Happy

Lots of things can make someone happy, like spending time with friends, re-reading a favorite book or taking a walk in nature. But why do those things create happiness? And what exactly is happiness?

Choose Happy: Give a Smile a Try looks at the facts behind happiness, smiling, kindness and more. Explore the history of happiness, the happiest-and saddest-countries in the world and how being happy helps you get more done. Dive into the obstacles to happiness, including climate anxiety, social media and the negativity bias, and why it is sometimes hard to be happy. Readers will also discover scientifically proven ways to be happier that they can incorporate into their lives. Who's smiling now?
Key Selling Points:

• This SEL book examines what happiness is, what makes people happy or unhappy, the benefits of being happy, how nature and happiness are connected and gives young readers practical tools and techniques to "practice happiness."

• The mental health of young people is an important issue today because it's being negatively affected by global events, climate anxiety and social media. This book is a tool to empower young people to feel they can do something about their level of happiness.

• Contains many easy-to-accomplish activities that have been proven to improve a person's level of happiness.

• Includes key curriculum themes such as SEL, STEM, social awareness, bucket-filling, kindness, empathy, good citizenship, civic responsibility and diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Elizabeth MacLeod is an award-winning author of more than 80 books, including Get Out and Vote!, How to Become an Accidental Entrepreneur and How to Become an Accidental Genius.
This illustrated nonfiction book for middle-grade readers explores the history, science and mysteries of happiness and examines the things we can do to help make ourselves and others happier.
Elizabeth MacLeod has written more than 80 books, including biographies, picture books, cookbooks and other nonfiction titles. Dinosaurs, royal murder, horses that changed history, forensic science-she's written about them all. Liz has also won many awards for her writing, including the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction, an Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile or Young Adult Crime Book and Children's Choice awards across the country, including the Hackmatack, Red Cedar, Red Maple and Silver Birch. Her most recent books include How to Become an Accidental Activist and Get Out and Vote! She lives in Toronto.

Julie McLaughlin is an award-winning illustrator of numerous children's books, including Pride Puppy!; Little Cloud; Breaking News; Fresh Air, Clean Water; Plant Attack! and Why We Live Where We Live, winner of the 2015 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction. Her work with various editorial, advertising and publishing clients can be seen around the world. Julie grew up on the Prairies and now resides on Vancouver Island. The Feel Good, Do Good series explores how happiness, kindness, empathy and hope can change us and the world. Feeling better can start with just a smile! Turn that frown upside down!