So Happy!
“There once was a boy, a rabbit, and magic seed, and a book”, who grew together in this wonderful story that intertwines the needs and wishes of the characters. The little boy wants something to do, the curious rabbit seeks adventure, and the thirsty seed desires water. As the book unfolds, rain provides water for the seed, excitement for the boy, and a dilemma for the rabbit. In the end, all are “so happy!” Warm, rich illustrations accompany and complement the simple and engaging text.
Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards
Book Activities & Discussion Ideas
In So Happy, turn-taking is modeled when the boy, the rabbit, and the magic seed each get a turn being the focus of the storytelling. After reading the book together, look at the pictures again with your child and talk about the picture clues that tell whose turn it is based on what is shown in the pictures. As your child responds to the picture clues, point to where the word boy, rabbit, or seed is on the page to reinforce the connection between the word and the picture. Point out that all three take turns in the book.
Engage the families in literacy-related play by providing materials like seed packets for pretend or real seed planting. Look for the directions on how to plant seeds on the back of seed packets. Point out any words from the book such as seed, growing, flower, leaves, and bud that may be on the seed packets. While planting the seeds, encourage the families to talk about how fast the magic flower grew in the book and how long it takes for real flowers to grow.