I Am Happy!

4.0 (2)

4.3 (1)

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Author(s)

Michael Rosen

Publisher

Candlewick

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

December 12, 2023

ISBN

978-1536231281

Buy This Book

Just how happy is this puppy? Michael Rosen’s gleeful picture-book gambol follows a jubilant pooch from here to the stars and back.

This puppy is HAPPY! So happy it wants to shout about it! Riding high on a cloud of joy, it wants to sing on a swing, skip through a puddle, and chase after bubbles. With so much happiness in its little heart, what won’t it do? The inimitable Michael Rosen brings his knack for capturing the extremes of toddler moods to this carnival ride of a book, starring a puppy so thrilled with its own happiness, there’s no end to the celebrations. Paired with Robert Starling’s colorful, energetic art, this companion to I Am Hungry—part of a series mapping toddlers’ big emotions—is sure to put silly grins on the faces of parents and children at read-aloud time.

Editor reviews

2 reviews

Celebrate with dog and his friends

December 16, 2023 (Updated: June 06, 2026)

Overall rating

3.8

Plot

3.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

This is a high energy, exuberant book with lots of action. I love that the animals are constantly moving; certainly they are happy playing than sitting around watching a screen! There is a note at the beginning of the book for adult readers, telling them to think with young children about what activities make them happy, and to use imagination as well to think about silly things that they can do. This is shown in the book as well, in scenes where the dog sits on a cloud or flies in space. I'm a big fan of books as spring boards to other activities, so this is well done.

I was hoping for more of a narrative flow, and perhaps some more concrete ideas about things that can make us happy, like helping others, but since I usually read middle grade, perhaps that is just expecting too much philosophy for a fun, quick title. It would have been fun if the text were in more formal verse, because this deserves to be a song.

Rosen and Starling also teamed up on I Am Hungry and I am Wriggly, so this is a great addition to those titles. There are plenty of books for young readers to use to deal with sad or difficult feelings, so it's nice to see something like this, Whipple's Enough Is... or Chapman's Looking for Happy that explore some of the more positive feelings that we should encourage in young readers.

Good Points

Dog and his friends go through their daily activities with an amazing amount of energy and job. Dog swings and sings, walks in the rain, chases bubbles, splashes in fountains, and is a whirlwind of energy. He is often accompanied by a cat, squirrel, and rabbit who share his energy and help him to put on a show. The book ends with the group going down a slide and exclaiming "Let's play all day!"

Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer #1 Reviewer 2477 reviews

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Ways to Feel Happy

December 08, 2023 (Updated: June 06, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

N/A

Characters

N/A

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

I am Happy is an exploration of common activities that children can identify with that bring joy. Fans of Michael Rosen will like seeing the appearance of the illustrated animal characters from his previous books. The illustrations are upbeat and convey a sense of joyful movement as you would expect based on the title. The text is perfect for baby-Preschool age children to learn what the word happy means and see many examples. This would be great to read and then discuss with your child all the things that make them feel happy.

Connie Reid, Site Manager and Staff Reviewer Top 10 Reviewer 1014 reviews

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User reviews

1 review

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0(1)

Characters

5.0(1)

Writing Style

3.0(1)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0(1)

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A Book That Celebrates Happiness

March 28, 2026 (Updated: June 06, 2026)

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

3.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

I Am Happy by Rosen is a bright, energetic picture book that focuses completely on one feeling, happiness. The story follows a super excited puppy who is so full of joy that it just has to express it in every way possible. When I read this to a younger audience, they were immediately drawn in by how active everything is. The puppy isn’t just saying it’s happy, it’s showing it by running, jumping, playing, and even imagining fun, silly moments like being in the sky or space.

What I liked most is how the book keeps moving. There’s always something happening, whether it’s splashing in puddles or playing with other animals. It really shows happiness as something active, not just a quiet feeling. The other animals joining in makes it feel even more lively, like happiness can spread from one character to another. The illustrations help a lot with this too, they’re colorful and full of motion, which keeps kids interested the whole time.

This book also works well as more than just a story. It can actually help kids think about what makes them happy in their own lives. There’s a small message underneath all the fun, which is that being positive and enjoying simple things can make a big difference. It encourages imagination and reminds kids that happiness can come from playing, exploring, and just being in the moment.

Overall, this is a great read-aloud for younger children, especially those who enjoy high-energy books. It’s fun, and full of life, and it gives kids another reason to stay positive by showing how fun and exciting happiness can be. It’s the kind of book that can easily lead into conversations or even playful activities after reading.

Good Points

Energetic and engaging from start to finish

Encourages positivity and imagination

Colorful illustrations full of movement