Don't Worry, Be Happy

January 03, 2013

Do you ever just want someone to know how you feel, to understand what you’re going through? I guess it’s called empathy, and we all need a friend to feel it for us once in a while. Sometimes, it’s hard to express an exact emotion, but Mies Van Hout’s hand drawn fish can do just that.

In her children’s book Happy, Van Hout devotes each double page spread to one fish, showing a single emotion. The nervous fish, brave fish, and curious fish, among others, are a perfect mirror to our most basic sentiments and, although the book might be found on the juvenile shelf, it speaks to each of its readers regardless of age.

Her vibrant fish, drawn against a black background, sparks smiles and sympathy and are an excellent way to acknowledge what you’re truly feeling. Pick up Happy today and see how happy it makes you!

Jessica S.
Colbern Road Branch