WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY?

Licensed therapist and bestselling author Tawwab offers words of wisdom to young people-pleasers.

Avery, a young Black girl with long curly hair, loves to make people happy—so much so that she often puts others’ needs before her own. When it comes time to plan her birthday party, she asks friends and family what she should do. Her friend Simone suggests going to an amusement park. Rides make Avery queasy, but she wants Simone to have fun, so she considers it. Avery’s brother wants a superhero theme. Avery doesn’t particularly like superheroes, but others might, so she decides that it’s a possibility. Kylie asks a question that makes Avery pause: “What kind of party sounds fun for you?” Avery doesn’t consider her own feelings very often, so she’s not sure what to choose. With eyes shut tight, she eventually lands on the perfect theme for her party. Bradley’s generous use of pastels softens the turmoil that Avery faces while also employing fuzzy-edged thought bubbles to highlight her introspection. Tawwab includes a note to caregivers at the end to help kids find their own voices. Guiding questions, affirmations, and simple scripts will help children and adults become more comfortable with growing their own self-confidence. Avery’s classmates are a diverse bunch.

Gentle guidance for kids seeking to stay true to themselves.