My Happy Life
6 primary works • 7 total works
Book 1
A New York Times Notable book and first in the acclaimed series for beginning readers.
Dani is probably the happiest person she knows. She’s happy because she’s going to start school. Dani has been waiting to go to school her whole life. Then things get even better—she meets Ella Frida by the swings. After that, Dani and Ella Frida do everything together and become best friends. But then something happens that Dani isn’t prepared for…
A perfect first chapter book for children aged five and up, full of social-emotional learning and sweet and funny illustrations, from one of the world’s greatest illustrators, Eva Eriksson.
Young independent readers who like Kate DiCamillo or the Ivy & Bean series will be hooked on the 7-book series once they start.
"If only all early chapter books were this beautifully conceived."—The New York Times
Rose Lagercrantz is a popular Swedish author of books for children as well as for adults. She has received many of the top Swedish literary awards, including the August Prize and the Astrid Lindgren Prize.
Praise for My Happy Life
"Working beautifully with the text and usually given more space on the page, these sensitive ink drawings feature clean lines that express emotions through every character’s stance, gesture, and expression. A quietly compelling book for young readers."—Booklist, Starred
“Sweet and salty – umami for the emerging reader.”—The Horn Book
Read all the My Happy Life series:
My Heart is Laughing
When I Am Happiest
Life According to Dani
See You When I See You
Where Dani Goes, Happy Follows
All’s Happy That Ends Happy
Book 2
Dani's been trying her best to stay happy ever since her best friend Ella moved away. But when some girls in Dani's class start being cruel to her, it starts a chain of rather unhappy events . . . It would all be okay if only Ella would move back. From the author of the critically acclaimed My Happy Life.
Book 4
A standalone follow-up to the acclaimed and beloved chapter books that began with NY Times Notable Book My Happy Life.
It's Dani's first summer vacation—and the best ever! She is staying on an island with Ella, her best friend in the world. Dad is still in hospital but he calls every day, and Ella and Dani stay busy building huts, fishing, exploring, and swimming.
Then Dad turns up, but with his nurse! This is not the visit anyone had imagined.
This warm, funny story allows space for strong emotions as Dani comes to terms with her father's new girlfriend, but does so with a light touch.
Book 5
Dani is on a school trip to the zoo, and the teacher tells the children how to stay safe and not get lost. But Dani gets separated from the others. Suddenly another class is rushing up the path-and at the back of the noisy crowd is someone she recognizes: Ella! The good friends are so happy to be together again and Ella wants to play. What should Dani do? Follow her best friend in the whole world or do as the teacher said? The first, of course!
Book 6
What do you do if your best friend lives in another city and the adults can't keep their promises about when you'll see her? You have to sort it out for yourself! Dani's father is away and Dani is staying with her grandparents. When she is invited to Ella's party, she thinks of the world's best gift for the world's best friend: she, Dani, will be the present! Her grandmother agrees- if she's brave enough to take the train alone.So Dani sets out on a journey all by herself.
Book 7
It's spring and Dani is going to Rome for her father's wedding. But Ella is not invited; Dad said no. What will Ella think when she learns she hasn't been invited to her best friend's dad's wedding?
In this final book in the acclaimed My Happy Life series, the road between Dani and Ella is getting longer and longer. Dani must make sure their story ends happily.
A standalone follow-up to the acclaimed and beloved chapter books My Happy Life and My Heart is Laughing. Dani is very happy-it's the second-to-last day of school, and summer is about to start. But then there's a knock on the classroom door, and Dani is told her father has been in an accident. He's in hospital! How can she possibly be happy? A warm and heartfelt story about Dani's love for her dad and her ongoing friendship with Ella. It's a story about sorrow and joy-and how life really is.