About the Holiday

Believing that joy can spread from person to person on the strength of simple smiles and greetings, acts of kindness, upbeat moods, and general positivity, Joan E. White of Syracuse, New York, founded JoyGerm Day in 1981. The day officially became a national holiday in 1985, and is now celebrated around the world. The holiday inspires people to find ways today and every day to positively impact the lives around us at home, work, school, or even while shopping or going about one’s daily business.

To honor the day and the idea, find ways to start each morning with a positive attitude for the day to come. Need ideas for how to get started? Say “Hello” to those you meet, listen to and encourage others, happily help out where needed, share a special moment with your kids at home, or send a surprise letter, card, or text to a friend or family member far away. And, of course, don’t forget to treat yourself too! When you feel good, those around you will respond in kind. Happiness really is contagious!  

Thanks so much to Beach Lane Books for sharing a copy of How to Cheer Up a Friend with me for review consideration!

How to Cheer Up a Friend

Written by Stephanie Calmenson | Illustrated by Shannon McNeill

Little ones have big feelings and even bigger hearts. When they see a friend or family member feeling down, they want to help. But “What do you do / when your friend feels blue?” In her sweet book in which the protagonist attempts to cheer up their elephant friend, Stephanie Calmenson offers refreshingly practical advice on how a child (or an adult) can really approach someone experiencing sadness or anger and help them find happiness again. 

Image copyright Shannon McNeill, 2024, text copyright Stephanie Calmenson, 2024. Courtesy of Beach Lane Books.

Writing in rhyming couplets, Calmenson starts out by suggesting a few ideas that will get readers giggling and invested in the story, such as “Do you tickle his trunk / to get him out of his funk?” and “Do something silly to make him laugh? / Give him a scented bubble bath?” Soon, the child opens his arms wide, offering a hug—but ready to happily accept either a “yes” or “no” answer.

Quieter ideas follow, including taking a walk or simply listening if he wants to “talk . . . and talk . . . and talk.” Then—only after all his feelings have been vented does the protagonist offer treats—or that hug, which now feels juuust right.

Image copyright Shannon McNeill, 2024, text copyright Stephanie Calmenson, 2024. Courtesy of Beach Lane Books.

Stephanie Calmenson’s thoughtful look at the underpinnings of sadness or other strong emotions and how friends or family members can best help a loved one shines for its brevity and straightforward take on the issue. This approach will appeal to kids while giving them concrete examples of what to do and say (or not say) to elicit healing time or talk from friends, siblings, or others.

How to Cheer Up a Friend would be equally effective for adults looking for a book to help their own child through periods of sadness or anger as the story validates these emotions and provides a constructive solution for expressing them. The length of the story and its bookended format makes the book a perfect choice for parents, teachers, or other adults to reach for during those times when emotions may be running high or attention spans are short.

Image copyright Shannon McNeill, 2024, text copyright Stephanie Calmenson, 2024. Courtesy of Beach Lane Books.

Shannon McNeill’s adorable elephant and empathetic child immediately win over readers’ hearts with their connection that is clearly based on mutual love and trust. In her soft-hued gouache, pencil, and cut paper illustrations, McNeill’s droopy, sad-eyed elephant is the picture of sadness, stubbornness, and even laugh-inducing perseverance as his friend tries various silly solutions to restore happiness. The image of the elephant hunkered down in its wash tub as it hides from a hug is an effective portrayal for children who prefer body autonomy or for the barrier some people present when experiencing strong emotions.

As the elephant begins to talk, his words and feelings fill the page as colorful shapes, and he begins to gesticulate, He cries, stomps, and flops down in a tirade to demonstrate those emotions he may not have words for. But as the storm abates, he feels better and can happily accept that big hug in a two-page spread that will delight young readers.

An endearing story that provides satisfying help with an emotion we all experience, How to Cheer Up a Friend is a valuable book for families and teachers to have on hand for those times when feelings are strong. The book is highly recommended for home, library, and classroom collections.

Ages 4 – 8

Beach Lane Books, 2024 | ISBN 978-1665910248

About the Author

Stephanie Calmenson is the acclaimed author of many popular books for young readers including Dinner at the Panda Palace; May I Pet Your Dog?; and the Ready, Set, Dogs! and Allie and Amy series written with Magic School Bus author Joanna Cole. A former early childhood teacher and children’s book editor, Stephanie feels fortunate to be able to teach, entertain, and encourage kids through her books. To read more, please visit StephanieCalmenson.com.

About the Illustrator

Shannon McNeill is a Canadian-born, San Diego-based illustrator whose books include Are We There Yet? by Dandi Daley Mackall, Wild & Wooly by Mary Jessie Parker, How to Cheer Up a Friend by Stephanie Calmenson, and her own Wheels, No Wheels. Her work is influenced by local nature, loitering in coffee shops, old books, child art, and long walks around the block. Learn more at LittleDrawings.com.

National JoyGerm Day Activity

Spread Happiness Cards

Kids can spread happiness to their friends, family, teachers, and other people in their lives with these cute Happiness Cards! Just print, cut, and give!

Spread Happiness Cards

You can purchase How to Cheer Up a Friend at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review