Also by this author: You Are Never Alone: Trust in the Miracle of God's Presence and Power, Begin Again: A Journey of Restoration and Renewal Awaits You, 3:16: The Numbers of Hope
Published by Thomas Nelson on April 13, 2021
Genres: Children's
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A whimsical picture book from New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado, Where'd My Giggle Go? helps your kids process their emotions in a fun, healthy way so they can transform from grumpy to laugh-out-loud happy.
"I felt kind of cranky. I felt kind of sad. I can't tell you why, but I even felt mad." For every child who sometimes feels out of sorts and doesn't know why, Where'd My Giggle Go? helps normalize and dissipate negative emotions in a delightful way.
A perfect read-aloud, Where'd My Giggle Go? provides:
A natural way for you to talk with your kids about how we all get sad sometimesA reminder that we can help others find their happinessWith colorful illustrations from Sarah Jennings, this book is:
Great for ages 4-8Brilliant for classroom discussions about processing feelings and emotions and a resource to help parents discuss being sad, grumpy, anxious, or unhappyWhere'd My Giggle Go? follows a boy who looks all over--from the circus to the bakery to his own pocket--for his giggle. After all, "No-giggle's no fun. No fun, no sirree. No-giggle is not the best way to be." Then he realizes that bringing happiness to others is the best way to find it himself. As he offers smiles and hugs, helps his mom wash the dishes, plays with a friend, and gives the dog a good tickle, he feels something deep, deep within start to wiggle. And before you know it, the boy starts to giggle!
Lucado's charming but powerful message reminds each of us that getting over the grumpies is just a giggle away.
Max Lucado’s words to adults are inspirational, heart-warming, comforting, and wise. But did you know that he’s also written forty-three books for children and teens? Where’d My Giggle Go? is a whimsical, sing-songy exploration of happiness written especially for our littlest ones. Its simple language and easy rhymes make it perfect for pre-readers and young readers, and its message—that happiness is more than an emotion—is an important one for people of all ages to learn.
Where’d My Giggle Go? begins with a young child who has lost their giggle. They want to be happy. They aren’t sure why they are not happy. So, they go on a search for their giggle. It’s not with the clown, or with grandpop, or in the bakery. Nowhere they look has their happiness! Slowly, they come to a conclusion: They’ll help make others happy. And as they do so, they find their happiness coming back to them. Lucado concludes:
Your giggle may go. If it does, that’s okay.
It’s never too far to come back your way.
Just help others be happy, and little by little,
You’ll soon have it back.
You’ll soon have your giggle.
Sarah Jennings’ illustrations are bright, bold, and fun. In a book about emotions, it’s important that the illustrator captures facial expressions and that’s something Jennings does superbly. The text also highlights emphasized words with a slightly bigger font and in color, making them stand out. It’s a great book to read aloud and act out dramatically with your little one. (Maybe not a good bedtime book, because it’s going to end in giggles…which have the tendency to wind up rather than down—ask me how I know.)
The only criticism that I might find with this is its simplistic view of happiness. Which…it’s a children’s book…so that’s probably warranted. There are times when you help people and help people and help people and your own internal emotions never change. Mother Teresa spoke of the “dark night of the soul” that plagued her for years. Lucado accurately speaks of happiness as more than an emotion, but the solution of “help others and then you’ll feel happy” isn’t always a guaranteed corollary. I’m okay with it, given the desired age range this book is directed toward, so mostly this paragraph is simply a reminder that our view of grief and happiness must grow as we do—and that our good works do not always result in our personal happiness.
Where’d My Giggle Go? is both fun and conversation starting. It’s a great way to interact with your child, teach them about their feelings, and introduce them to a love of literature. Absolutely brilliant.
