The Joy in You
What’s inside...
A heartwarming picture book that encourages children to find the joy in their own lives and to discover that they can be anything they want to be. An uplifting board book by Cat Deeley, mother of two and host of So You Think You Can Dance, inspires kids to embrace their true selves. The book features a magical world with endless opportunities for self-expression and freedom, no matter the circumstances. It emphasizes the importance of dreaming big, discovering passions, and the message that children are enough exactly as they are. An ideal gift for new moms, birthdays, and families seeking a touch of happiness.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-3
Length
26 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think is the most important message from 'The Joy in You'?
How do you feel when you are joyful, and what makes you feel that way?
Can you relate to any characters in the book? How do they express their joy?
What are some things you are grateful for that bring joy to your daily life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about joy by relating to personal experiences. This helps them connect with the themes of the book.
Discuss each character's unique way of showing joy and ask your child to think of ways they express their own joy.
Create a joyful reading environment by sharing what makes you joyful as a parent, making the session interactive and personal.
Use examples from the book to teach the importance of recognizing and respecting others' feelings of joy, stressing empathy and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Individuality
Explanation: Through colorful illustrations and heartfelt text, 'The Joy in You' encourages children to embrace their unique qualities and personalities.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by confidently expressing their own interests and opinions at home and in school, understanding that their individuality is their strength.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The story highlights the joys of friendships and how friends can uplift and support one another.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to build and maintain positive relationships with their peers, fostering teamwork and empathy outside of home.
Example Lesson: Expressing Emotions
Explanation: Cat Deeley’s book allows children to explore different emotions through its characters and situations, teaching them that all feelings are valid.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children in identifying and verbalizing their emotions in everyday situations, aiding in emotional development and communication.
Example Lesson: Encouragement of Exploration
Explanation: The narrative supports the idea of exploring the world around and finding joy in new experiences.
Real-World Application: Children are motivated to engage in activities that fuel their curiosity and learning, such as trying out new hobbies or asking questions about their environment.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: In the book, characters face challenges but learn to overcome them with a positive attitude, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: Kids can mimic this resilience by facing everyday challenges like learning new skills or resolving conflicts, and understanding that setbacks are opportunities for growth.