How to Grow Happiness

by Kelly DiPucchio, Matt Kaufenberg (Illustrator)

Overview

Jerome the Gnome takes young readers on whimsical adventures through his garden, celebrating discovery and sowing the imagination as he introduces topics such as science, environmental awareness, and agriculture.

In How to Grow Happiness, Jerome and his fellow Garden of Wonder dwellers—including Oakie, his pet acorn; Nutilda, a hyperactive squirrel; and Warble, a fast-talking bird—learn what it takes to make a happiness seed blossom. Through patience, asking for help, and teamwork, Jerome and his friends take a little black seed left on a windowsill and find ways to help it grow. They soon find that as it flourishes, their own happiness does too.

Jerome the Gnome teaches young readers and listeners how a garden grows, as well as how a community comes together to make the experience more rewarding—and fun!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635651416
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	06/12/2018
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	12 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 6 Years

About the Author

Kelly DiPucchio is the award-winning author of several children’s books, including New York Times bestseller, GRACE FOR PRESIDENT, and THE SANDWICH SWAP, a book co-authored for Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, which President Bill Clinton called “a delightful story.” Kelly has been a featured author/speaker at numerous schools, public libraries, universities, and conferences. Visit www.kellydipucchio.com.

Matt Kaufenberg is a freelance illustrator who has worked with companies such as Target, Nickelodeon, American Greetings, and more. He lives in Alexandria, Minnesota, with his wife and their three kids. To learn more about his work, visit www.mattkstudios.com.

Editorial Reviews

2018-03-27
With the help of his forest friends, gnome Jerome learns a valuable lesson about happiness—or maybe gardening.A bright yellow bird named Warble flies through the Garden of Wonder, landing in Jerome's open window. Warble offers Jerome a "tiny black seed" that she calls "the seed of happiness." Jerome offers a piece of bright red yarn—the "perfect" thing for Warble's nest!—in exchange. When the seed doesn't do anything, however, Jerome worries that it may be broken. Friends Beamer the robot and Nutilda the squirrel suggest sunlight, and Sir Surly the turtle prompts Jerome to toss the seed into the pond for water. It takes Sherwin Wigglesworth, a jaunty worm with a monocle, to show Jerome how to plant his seed. Jerome and friends are impatient for the seed to grow, until Glinda, the butterfly fairy (who just happens to be fluttering by), points out the missing ingredient: love. "The best things always grow from love." Jerome nurtures his seed with water, food, love, and some of his favorite things placed all around. It grows into a giant green watermelon that everyone can share. Though it doesn't really hang together logically, DiPucchio's story captures an innocence in tune with the very young. Kaufenberg's illustrations are appropriately bright and cute, depicting Jerome as a white garden gnome with a pointy red cap. Like Jerome's, its heart is in the right place. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews