Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
You know you’ve failed as a parent when you ask your child to come listen to you read a story and he replies “Just a minute, I want to finish my video.”
I waited a bit, giving this whole “mindful parenting” a try (wanting so bad to yell at him to bring his butt here, NOW!!!!). A whole minute later, he comes to me, sits on my lap and wiggles about trying to get comfortable. *Breathe*
The book is about a starfish name Hugo who has a big heart. He’s been feeling down and can’t seem to find happiness. As I was reading the story, I purposely dramatized the part about the starfish feeling “sad” because knowing my kid, he will get all wide eye with wonder.
Which is exactly what happened, “Why is he sad?!!” He asked.
“I don’t know, let’s keep reading to find out” (*smirking* I got your attention now!).
Hugo the starfish meets a magic Manta who helps him look for ways to be happy. It starts off with doing things that will keep him happy for an hour. Then he wanted to be happy for a day. Then a year. But it wasn’t enough, he wanted to be happy forever!
“Wow Hugo is weird!!!” I sighed out loud.
“Not he is not! He just wants to be happy!” Tristan replied.
Eventually Hugo did find happiness. By sharing his big heart with others, Hugo realized what happiness is really all about.
One of Tristan’s favorite phrase is “sharing is caring, do you know that?!” He’s been saying that one since he started talking. Not sure where he heard it from. Being an only child that is something Tristan is working on, “sharing”. To him, sharing is only fun if he wants something from someone. Hugo the Happy starfish finds out the secret to happiness is to share without expecting anything in return.
I give Hugo the starfish a 9 out of 10. Maybe even a 10, since Tristan stayed put through the whole story! The Hugo story books are available in 7 different languages how cool is that? You can buy the eBook (and hardcover) on Amazon. So if you are looking for an educational book that will have your little ones asking questions (such as what does “meander” mean? No idea what that was, had to look it up), check out the Hugo the Happy Starfish books.
So I ask you now, what is the secret of happiness? According to Tristan “It’s like, when you are happy and stuff!” As always, I love hearing from you guys.
*You can read more about the author here!
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**I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
What a very cute book and it is great that it teaches sharing. That is funny that your son only thinks sharing is caring when he wants something.
Sharing is definitely not an easy concept for little ones to understand, so I am all for anything that helps teach it. This sounds really cute 🙂
Cute looking book.. i am sure the kids will have fun with it.
That’s so sweet! And the secret to happiness? I’m not sure…but I’m pretty sure I can’t find it on my own!
WOW! What a sweet book. The kids will have so much fun. I think this IS the key to happiness:“It’s like, when you are happy and stuff!” 🙂
I like Tristans explanation for happiness. It is perfect.
I like Tristan’s saying, Caring is sharing! What a cute little guy… 🙂 Thanks for sharing your special time.
This is a great book. I know that when you’re growing up, sharing needs to be taught. Thanks for the great post!
Sounds like a good book! We’ve been trying to teach our toddler to share – it’s a difficult concept to grasp lol!
That sounds like a great book – such an important lesson to teach kids too
My grandkids love for me to read stories to them. This sounds like a cute one and it’s even better that it has a lesson in it.
The secret to happiness is different for everyone. I know I am happiest either when I am helping others OR am being a very happy hermit!! Opposites ends of the pole I know–but then what makes you happy one day may not make you happy the next. This book sounds like a great teaching tool and lots of fun as well.
I have heard only good things about Hugo! I am going to recommend this one to a friend for her daughter.
Awww! Sweet story and I love the book. Reading is a must in our house so we will have to check it out.
My kids love when I read to them and this sounds like a great book to read to keep their attention.
Of course you didn’t fail! Live how you sucked him in! I have been wanting to read this book with the kids
It sounds like a great kids book! I will have to check it out, our girls have been obsessing over night time stories!
My daughter loves books and never sleeps without a bed time story. Secret to Happiness sounds like a perfect book for her.
Good for you!!! Parents need to read to their children, not pass them off to a iPad, iPhone or SpongeBob! The memories you’ll both have will be incredible, not to mention the lessons you’ll be able to give. Keep reading to him!
Seems happiness is a popular theme. Many posts and blogs about it. Its great that you are teaching your son about happiness, about sharing and caring.
I want to add this book to our library! Thanks!
If a book can hold their attention…it must be a good one!
It’s been a long time since we’ve read to our children, but those are special times.
Lol, grandchildren and sharing are funny the same as Tristan. Sharing is only fun if they want their brothers toy. I like the story line in this book about Hugo. I should get this one for the grands.
This seems like a really awesome book. I’m sure my baby would enjoy this one.
This is a super post! Thanks so much for sharing about this book Marielle 🙂
children books are so fun and i love when they have a meaning or lesson with them. i still read my favorite children books often
Such a cute and inspiring book to be read to kiddies! 🙂 It’s always nice when there’s a thought and lesson to it.
I can’t argue with such a success story .
How wonderful
What a great story! I will remember this one for my Harper Box (she’s only 18 months old but I’m making a collection for her!).
What a great book, my son would love this. He loves story time so we are constantly adding books to it – I love that it teaches a great lesson.
thanks for sharing this sounds like a sweet addition to your library
That’s cute! I will be seeing if my daughter has this book. Thanks for the review and the thumbs up!
We didn’t have a television when my children were young. We did a lot of reading and our bedtime ritual always included a book. I’ll have to read this one myself and save it for a future grandchild!!
Sounds like a sweet book. I miss the days of my girls having me read to them. Memories….
Now thats cutee.. Sharing needs to be thought to children. lovely book!
That looks like a super cute book, I love that it teaches sharing. It’s so important
What a beautiful book. Is it a new book? it sounds much like one of the books I read to my kids when they were little. They are young adults now. Love the message.
Eliz
What a sweet story! And I loved hearing your little one’s reactions as you read the book> That makes it sound even more appealing as a book my kids might enjoy.
I have read a few of the Hugo the Happy Starfish books and always love the lesson behind the stories. Great review!
This sounds like an inspiring story that teaches a great lesson
I love Tristan’s idea of happiness! How cute that he says it is like when you are happy and stuff:) My definition of happiness is being surrounded by those I love and make me smile:) Cute children’s book:)
Tristan’s idea of Happiness is cute but also true 🙂 i think its when you are content with what you have and when you know you always try your best at something it makes you happy.
I love reading to the little ones at night. This would make a great addition.
Nice book..good for the children..they have something to learn from the story..
I should get this book for my daughter…. She isn’t to the stage of making me wait for her attention yet.. but I know its coming. This book sounds like something she would enjoy!
awww, cool book, thank you for sharing. Great book to help build character
Looks like a book kids might love! My kids used to be into fun but educational books like this when they were little. Having an adult son and a teenage definitely makes me appreciate the time we spent with out boys reading to them when they were little at bedtime!
I have this book for my girls! They love Hugo! I love the lessons this book teaches.
So nice to hear that you could take a moment to breathe so that the story could be more enjoyable.
It’s really neat that it’s available in a multitude of languages. I like the positive vibe in this book!
This sounds like the perfect bedtime story! I love reading to my son before bed. Even though he is 8 and reads well on his own, he still wants me to do the reading at bedtime, which makes me feel needed still!
Sharing was so hard for my girls when they were smaller. I would have loved to have had this book then. I love the bright illustrations as well as the positive message it promotes!
Looks like a great book to share with the kids!
I heard a lot of nice things about this book character. Nice to know that it lifts a child’s spirit up.
I have two kids and sharing is something that they struggle to do with each other sometimes. It can be frustrating because you try very hard to teach them but they are in this age where no one is important but themselves. I should get them this book.
Sounds like a really sweet story! I love that my kids love to read and I’m always on the lookout for new great books, because plenty of books out there aren’t so great. Thanks for sharing about this one.
What a sweet story! I love the book!
This book is adorable and it has a really sweet message too.
Thanks for letting me know about the book….I will check it out for my grandkids!
I always marvel at the creativity and imagination of people who write children’s books. Their ability to capture the attention of little ones by using certain details … at whatever age … is fascinating!
Thanks for the recommendation. It would make a great gift for friends with small kids.
What a beautiful happy message to your article! Yes, happiness is something to be shared. Smiles are contagious but yet cost nothing. When you look for the ‘joy’ in what is going on, that ‘joy’ will radiate happiness in your life and in the lives of those who you touch.