Review: HAPPY DANCE
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 4, 2014
The most recent release in the Mazor Book collection is bound to be a success. Targeted for an audience of children aged four through eight, the setting is a preschool classroom. The author prefaces her work by reminding adults that children like adults experience unhappy times. Adults know that they need to cure their blues; children need to learn how to do the same. In this tale, a teacher appropriately named Miss Happy Morejoy is the happiest preschool teacher in a town called Celebration. When she walks into her classroom looking sad and distraught one day, the children inquire why? She explains that her dog, Old Sam, has gone to doggie heaven. At first the children are sad  and upset until they realize that he was a happy dog who would not like to see them sitting around feeling sad. Their teacher suggests that they play the Happy Game. Each of the children stands up and recites a rhyme explaining what makes he or she feel happy. Some of their happy thoughts include hugs from mom and dad, reading books, balloons, pets, and ice cream. Pretty soon the children are feeling so happy that they are dancing. As Mrs. Happy glances around the room, she realizes what truly makes her happy.I love the computer illustrations which display a diversity of cultures whose faces portray expressions of compassion and self-respect. The children's rhymes are clever and catchy; each one has an important message to share. Mazor expands a young child's vocabulary by using synonyms and introducing the meaning of more difficult words like bibliophile Readers are invited to share their feelings with Miss Happy by emailing her, a nice touch that allows readers to feel as if they have made a new friend. Do not miss adding this exceptional book to your collection. Parents, librarians and teachers will want to read this one over and over!