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lAYLA’S HAPPINESS / 2020 Ezra jack keats Illustrator award

Layla’s Happiness

By Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie | Published by Enchanted Lion Books  

2020 Ezra Jack Keats Award, for illustration

2020 Ezra Jack Keats Honor, for writing

Reviews
★“Affirmations of black childhood abound, and whimsical wishes float like dandelion fluff. Equally as imaginative as the lyrical text, Corrin's boldly colored, textured illustrations beautifully capture the buoyant spirit of Layla, a brown girl exuding confidence, comfortable in her own skin--indoors and out. Well-illustrated poetry of the best kind that will leave sunshine in its wake." -STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus

★ “Tallie honors the many ways children define happiness…A handsome and helpful primer on self-reflection and a mirror to urban black and brown children, this joyous title could be well paired with Samantha Berger’s What If.” -STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal

“With Corrin’s layered, whimsical illustrations, each page is a snapshot of a simple moment that adds up to an abundant life, urban yet very much in tune with nature. The effect is both laid back and meaningful — an invitation to answer for yourself.” -The New York Times

"A celebration of community, but also individualism, what Layla loves and what makes her happy is so specific to her and her family's experience. In uncertain or challenging times, books like Layla's Happiness are bright spots of inspiration. They carry us through and remind us of the gifts we have. The gifts of people in our lives or small moments in nature or even a favorite color." -The Eric Carle Museum

Blogs
Enchanted Lion Blog:
A Conversation With the Creators Behind "Layla's Happiness"

Brain Pickings:
Delight as a Daily Practice: A Poetic Illustrated Meditation on the Meaning of Happiness and Its Quiet Everyday Sources

Process

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EBook created to help children cope with the COVID-19 pandemic

Articles
Because of Them We Can: BLACK DOCTORS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CREATE CHILDREN’S BOOK TO EXPLAIN CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

The Relentless School Nurse: "We're Going to be O.K."

Emory University: Winning COVID-19 children’s books address facts, emotions surrounding pandemic