The Happy Kid Handbook

Starred review from September 21, 2015
With an attitude that “happiness is a choice we make” and the belief that what parents ultimately want for their children is for them to be happy, child psychotherapist Hurley’s debut urges careful observation of children’s personalities in order to meet their needs and support their growth as individuals. This practical and highly workable handbook details a broad selection of delightfully creative strategies for helping kids learn from play, manage strong emotions constructively, learn to forgive and empathize, build assertiveness, and accept difference in themselves and others. Her guidance on reducing stress and mediating anxiety and frustration targets both kids and parents, though many exercises are primarily oriented toward the child’s mind. Nonetheless, parents will find themselves strongly tempted to try Hurley’s instructions for “balloon breathing,” literally walking in another person’s shoes, and symbolically throwing old hurts into recycling bins. Her book is highly recommended for people who seek a parenting orientation rather than a method but still want a substantial toolbox of specific activities to use in understanding and connecting with their children. Agent: Lauren Galit, LKG Agency.