The illustrations were great, and overall this was a very pretty book to look at.
The writing however, felt clunky and just didn't flow well. The message was ok, but it felt like there could have been more substance to it. Overall the book was just ok for me, but not something I need to add to my student library.

The Boy Who Illustrated Happiness by Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos is a cute story about a young boy named Ben who loves to draw and continues to follow his passion into adulthood. The overall message about finding your passion and pursuing what makes you happy is relevant for all ages, and I love how another main theme is spreading happiness to those around you. Such a sweet book filled with good messages for younger audiences. Furthermore, the illustrations are so cute and fit the story very well!

I found this to be a really enjoyable read from start to finish. I loved the message that suggested that happiness doesn't have to have a financial cost, that it might take a bit of time and effort but that ultimately we all have the power to bestow happiness on others.

I found the colourful pages quite captivating and liked the mixture of single and double-page spreads.

I have children of 4 and 6 who appreciated hearing the tale before bed and I have a feeling the book will reappear shortly. As an adult, it made me open my eyes and stop taking the skills of others, as well as my own, for granted

Easy to read, well presented, colourful, pitched just right, great message, likeable protagonist...that a 5/5 stars from me.

A cute little story about spreading happiness starting from a little boy to children around the world making people happy in their club by drawing, singing etc. A pity the story lost later on, and there are also some difficult words for children in it. Nice idea though.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ben brings joy and happiness to others by smiling and drawing. Other people can't help but radiate their own kind of happy when he is around, even grumpy adults. Ben's idea to form the Happiness Club brings together many members from all around the world. The book has colorful illustrations and delivers a strong message to make others happy. A great book to read with children.

Thank you Netgalley and IBPA/Linguacious for the opportunity to read this book.

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review


I really loved this! It's probably one of the best children books I've read in my adult life. It's almost like Pay It Forward, but for kids. I think the idea behind the happiness club will resonate with some children, and i find that to be an exiting idea. This even made me sort of emotional in the end, which is something I never thought I'd say about a book like this. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would

I loved this book! It shows how kids can use their talents to make others happy and processing emotions as well!

The Boy Who Illustrated Happiness was a nice story about the importance of spreading happiness to others. It reinforced the message that happiness is infectious, and that its so important to pass the happy feelings on.
I liked that different ways to make another person happy were touched upon, as this is a great way to scaffold behaviour and give children an idea of what kind behaviour is, and how that may then make another person feel.
I feel there could be have been a bit more time given to Ben's loss of his fish, as a way to show that it's okay to not feel happy all the time. It's important to remind children that it's also okay to experience negative emotions sometimes. But I did like how Ben's parents were the ones to make him feel happy again.

The Boy Who Illustrated Happiness is a children's picture book which follows Ben, a budding artist, and his attempts to spread joy and happiness, through his creation of the 'Happiness Club'. It shows children how small acts of kindness can brighten up their peer's days (and lives!) and to always be kind to others. I also really loved how it inspires children to carry out their dreams - and to encourage children to be creative. Further, the illustrations were really adorable.

I would recommend this book to children aged 7+, as the writing on the pages is quite dense and the font choice may be difficult for younger readers.

This is a wonderful book. I love the way it shows children that they can express their feelings through art. And the pictures are so cute. I highly recommend this book!

Oh.. This small book make me fallin IN love since I saw the cover. The illustrations very smooth and the story is simple but meaningful. It is about boy who really love drawing. And he use his skill to bring happiness to other people. And in the end he got his dream job and spreading all happiness to many other children.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos for providing me with the pure happiness that is this book in exchange for an honest review!
What a great picture book! The Boy Who Illustrated Happiness is a beautiful book about a young artist named Ben and his quest to spread happiness. Ben forms the Happiness Club in order to encourage those around him to spread happiness in their own unique ways and shows the reader that no act of kindness is too small to count. I really loved the message of inclusivity and happiness being a universal language. The illustrations are, fittingly, beautiful and really compliment the vibe of the book. I think it's important to remind ourselves and our children that we are capable of so much love and kindness, and that getting to spread it is one of the greatest joys in life. I think this book is a must-have in any classroom, library, or bookshelf!

Review of The Boy Who Illustrated Happiness by Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos

This was a lovely book about a boy, Ben, who uses his skills of drawing to make other people happy and then starts a happiness club so others can do the same. Fantastic book for children to read with good strong uplifting messages. Beautiful illustrations as well. My 6 year old really enjoyed it.

I really did enjoy the concept of this book - sharing and creating happiness for others on a daily basis is a great endeavour for a child to take, much less encourage other kids to do the same. However, I felt like some emotions on the page didn't come through well.

Also, I don't know if the font was only because this is an ebook but it did not seem the best fit for a children's book.

His story was an inspiring story about a boy who used his talents to help create good in the world. It was touching and thoughtful. The illustrations and length were perfect!

Rating: 4/5 stars.

“The Boy Who Illustrated Happiness” is a children’s fiction book by author Victor Dias de Oliveira Santos with illustrations by Eszter Miklós. This wonderful story has one central theme: happiness, and the importance of positivity. Even the smallest actions, like a smile or helping someone carry their books, can have a big and bright impact on their day. The author gives examples of simple ways that children can help their friends, and help contribute to a happier and more caring society. This simple but important message is reinforced throughout the book and the illustrations, and is very important for everyone to learn. I loved the diversity included in the beautiful illustrations.

My only concern is that some of the pages are very text-heavy, which might make it difficult for children to read and process the information. I also wish there was an author’s note at the end, because the storyline makes it seem like the main character, Ben, is an actual person. I would love to know whether or not they are actually real, or are perhaps inspired by a real person.

I loved this book and I highly recommend it to all young readers, especially those who are looking for simple ways to make a meaningful positive impact on their friends and their community.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book on NetGalley and have provided an honest review.*

This book made my heart swell. Everything about it was beautiful and inspiring. I cannot wait to share this when my students!

4.5 Stars
Oh, my! This is such a cute little book with colorful and bright illustrations. I’m so glad I started reading children’s works. Ben is a cutie pie who loves to draw and make others happy. The book is about how he brings together the kids from his class and more people from across the globe to join the Happiness Club. While the story is sweet, it’s the illustrations that grabbed my attention. And the question at the end of the book is something we all need to think about.
Thank you, NetGalley and Linguacious, for the ARC.

First of all, the illustrations were gorgeous! However, I did find the font to not quite flow with the rest of the book.

The message was lovely and has inspired my son to start his own happiness club!

He also loved seeing all the different ways to draw (on the glass of the bus for example).

I would definitely buy this book for the inspiration it provided my son!

4.5 stars!

What a lovely, cute little book! It's a sweet story about Ben and his fascination to draw. He just wants to make everyone happy through his illustrations. And one day, he creates a Happiness Club' and many kids join him.

It's a nice, thoughtful story. And the illustrations by Eszter Miklós are just gorgeous! It's so thoughtful how certain sensitive things have not been said, but they have been expressed through pictures.

I buddy read it with my child and we enjoyed it!