When I Am Happiest
A standalone follow-up to the acclaimed and beloved chapter books My Happy Life and My Heart is Laughing.
Dani is very happy—it’s the second-to-last day of school, and summer is about to start. But then there’s a knock on the classroom door, and Dani is told her father has been in an accident. He’s in hospital! How can she possibly be happy? A warm and heartfelt story about Dani’s love for her dad and her ongoing friendship with Ella. It’s a story about sorrow and joy—and how life really is.
Creators
Rose Lagercrantz is a popular Swedish author of books for children as well as for adults. Her first book was published in 1973. She has received many of the top Swedish literary awards, including the August Prize and the Astrid Lindgren Prize.
Eva Eriksson is one of the world’s great illustrators. She is consistently nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen and other international awards.
Reviews
The genius of these books lies in the simple but original kid details that keep the focus firmly on the young characters. . Nuanced line drawings add microplots . An affecting early chapter book with a hopeful-if not yet altogether happy-ending.
The Horn Book
Praise for My Happy Life series: If only all early chapter books were this beautifully conceived.
The New York Times
Praise for My Happy Life series: Working beautifully with the text and usually given more space on the page, these sensitive ink drawings feature clean lines that express emotions through every character’s stance, gesture, and expression. A quietly compelling book for young readers.
Booklist
