Double Happiness ~ Book Review

Double Happiness, written by Nancy Tupper Ling and illustrated by Alina Chau, is a story about moving told through a series of poems. Gracie and Jake are two young children, a brother and sister, who are moving away from their home in San Francisco to what Celeste and I guessed was a home on the East coast of the United States. 

Over the years, our family has moved many times and as a mom, I have read several books about moving to my children to help them understand and cope with the big change. I wish Double Happiness would have been available then! 

The poems and illustrations are filled with beautiful hints of Chinese and American Chinese culture, from the dragon to the phoenix. Each poem title also has the corresponding Chinese character. 

Gracie and Jake's grandmother, Nai Nai, gives them each a special empty box to fill with treasures they might find during their move across country. This poem is one of my favourites:

Grandmother

When I was young,

I placed memories

inside a special box. 

It was my happiness box. 

Always, it was near me. 

Together you can make 

double happiness. 

Here's my gift to you-

a box of your own,

so happiness will stay close

no matter where you go. 

Find your treasures each,

leading from this home 

to your new.

The author's website has a link to a free and wonderful activity kit pdf related to this book. There are instructions on making an origami Double Happiness box and a Poetry of Place activity. 

Double Happiness Origami Box

Double Happiness is a great addition for our Poetry Tea Times and we will enjoy reading it again and again! 


Double Happiness by Nancy Tupper Ling is available at:

Amazon.ca 
Chapters.Indigo.ca
and check your local bookstore! 

Disclosure: I received a sample book for review from Raincoast Books. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ. The amazon.ca link is an associate link.