Taking a Bath with the Dog and Other Things That Make Me Happy by Scott Menchin Ages 4-8 40 pages Candlewick June 2007 Hardcover     Author and illustrator Scott Menchin offers up a charming book about finding happiness in the simple everyday things. We are introduced to adorable little Sweet Pea, a girl who is sad until her momma prompts her to set out in search of what will make her happy. Along the way, she meets a variety of people, creatures and things that all seem to find happiness in different ways. It dawns on her that happiness is really right where you find it, as close as your own backyard - or in this case, your bathtub! The colorful line drawings are bright and bold and delightful, and the text is simple but has a profound point: that we often find happiness when we see others who are happy, which in turn reminds us of all we have to be happy about. Most children have no problem finding happiness in little things, but this book is a fun reminder for both kids and adults to take a look around at all they have to be grateful for. Who can be sad when everyone around you is smiling about something, however strange or small or silly it may seem?     web reviews   Marie D. Jones/2007 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)