Member Reviews

A fun fish book. Great read-aloud. Highly recommend for any counselors, teachers, or others who want to encourage happiness.

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I love discovering new authors and their books, especially new children’s books that help my little ones learn and develop. Albert Parsec has done just that. In this adorable story Finn sets out into the wide open ocean to find happiness and what it takes to be happy. He seeks out other animals from the ocean to ask what it takes to be happy. He listens to what they have to say, like the seahorse whose family makes him happy and the mermaid who becomes happy with a beautiful song. He then discovers that these aren’t exactly what makes him happy. Finn learns that what makes him happy is as unique as him and that is the same for everyone. He has to find his own happiness. The colorful and fun illustrations complete the story. My little ones loved it. We received this as an ebook ARC from NetGalley but this will be going on our shelf. It makes a wonderful bedtime story, perfect for those calm moments when conversations are happening. I love how this book helps them see how each one of us can be happy in our own way and to never give up searching for it, no matter how simple it seems. I also think this would be wonderful to use in an Early Childhood classroom with so many opportunities for discussion as well as sharing and learning about emotions in the classroom and at home. Enjoy this wonderful message and adventure.

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A delightful children's book that takes young readers on an enchanting underwater adventure with Finn, the inquisitive fish. As Finn embarks on his journey to uncover the secret formula, young readers will be captivated by the charming characters he meets along the way and the diverse ways they find happiness.

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Hey there, young adventurers! If you're on the lookout for a super cool underwater journey filled with happy creatures and a fish named Finn, then Finn's Formula for Happiness is your ticket to a fantastic time! This book isn't just about colorful fish and sparkly scales; it's about finding happiness in the most unexpected places. Finn's quest to discover the secret to happiness will keep you hooked from start to finish.

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It's a very cute book. It tells us that everyone has a different way to be happy. It reminds us of life in a subjective world. The illustrations are detailed, brilliant, very cute and colorful. I highly recommend.

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This self published picture book would work just fine to launch a classroom discussion on finding happiness or to encourage young people to write their own short stories. The Canva-created pictures are a huge drawback to the appeal of this story. However I did admire the fish’s attempt to discover what made him happy.

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This is a cute picture book about the search for happiness. As Finn the fish explores the ocean, he asks each smiling creature that he sees why they are so happy. When he hears their answer, he decides that thing would not make him content and he continues his search. It is only with the advice of a friend that he realizes two things. He can't ask others what would make him happy, he needs to ask himself. He had been happy exploring his world. He had been so focused on the goal of finding happiness that he didn’t appreciate the journey.

The message is an important one, but the language is a bit sophisticated for little children. This book would make a great read aloud story with the parent or teacher elaborating on the words and the lesson. Young children are often jealous, wanting what other children have,. They don’t stop and appreciate the family and things they do have.

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Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Finn’s Formula for Happiness, a beautifully written children’s book by Albert Parsec. Finn explores the ocean asking other fish- and a mermaid- what makes them happy. He realizes that what makes everyone else happy doesn’t have to be the same as what brings him joy. The message is meaningful and sincerely expressed: Finn likes exploring and having adventures and meeting new friends.

This is an excellent book for SEL (social emotional leaning) read alouds or as a special bedtime story. I especially loved the rich vocabulary and the vibrant illustrations.

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