This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Inga Buccella for Readers' Favorite
When a young sparrow asks his grandfather where to find happiness, he says that the keys to happiness are all around him. He needs only to keep his eyes and heart open to find them. And so begins a little sparrow’s journey. Through beautiful artwork and poignant writing, Kathrin Elisabeth Straka’s The Keys to Happiness takes the reader on a delightful voyage of the heart. Each day, a new “key” to happiness is revealed by a different animal that the sparrow meets along the way. On the third day, a butterfly appears. The bird tells her he cannot fly! With encouragement, the butterfly teaches him to fly by being brave and persistent. From his winged friend, the bird learns to be confident and to never give up. After gaining a key from each of the nine animal friends, the sparrow is almost ready to return home. But he discovers he is one key short and must look inward to obtain the last one.
The Keys to Happiness is classified as a children’s book, but I think that even adults may enjoy this enlightened tale of some simple but important steps to happiness. I found this book to be absorbing for a few reasons. Although the sparrow is the sweetest creature I’ve ever seen, Kathrin Elisabeth Straka’s writing style is not overly sweet, which adds to its authenticity. That’s why children and adults alike will be curious and eager to join the little bird on his journey. Since I appreciate the power of poetry, I was thrilled to see the author include words from poets in a few of the chapters. Through gentle storytelling and beautiful artwork, Kathrin shares important, lighthearted wisdom. Little ones will enjoy the animal pictures and whimsical characters in this book, while adults will be reminded that there is still good in the world if we look for it. But looking inward is also key.
