Kids' Book Review: Review: The Happiest Day of My Life

The first thing that attracted me to this gorgeous book by Australian couple Gillie and Marc Schattner, was the absolutely charming cover, for sure - but also the title. Upon reading this title, don't you just have to know - absolutely right now - more about this floating fuzzy-headed guy and his happiest day?

Well, I couldn't wait a single moment. I had to find out. And Harry's happiest day story is as whimsical and special as I had an inkling it just might be.

Harry is such a positive, happy-go-lucky fellow. He sees the sunshine in everything and believes he will live and enjoy life forever. But when he meets a grumblebum old man (or should we say A Realist), Harry is quickly and somewhat sadly reminded that he will indeed - one day die.

Talk about telling it like it is.

So dear sweet Harry becomes sad. He becomes morose. He begins to wonder if today is the day he will die.

This is more than a book about having a positive outlook - it's a book about the dangers of living life with preconceived expectation. Death may be as sure as taxes, but why dwell on the inevitably morose? Harry soon realises that life is meant to be lived, not waiting for an ending - or waiting for anything, for that matter.

Harry knows there's no time to lose - there are ponds to splash in, sunshine to gad in, places to explore. And he does so with gusto. Until one day the inevitable happens. But is it morose? Perhaps not. Perhaps it could be the happiest day in your life.

Sentimental without schmaltz, artistic without pretention, honest, open, gorgeous and visually delightful, this book reminds us how vital it is to feel at home - not only in our world, but within our hearts. I've already picked up a copy of True Love, now I just need The Perfect Gift and my Harry collection will be complete. No home should be without them.