Hamster found happiness in peace and quiet
Restless and loud happiness vs calm and quiet happiness
| Author | Tatjana Gjurković, Tea Knežević |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Jelena Brezovec |
| Original Title | Hrčak osjeća da postoji tiha i smirena sreća |
| ISBN | 978-953-8008-77-1 |
| Format | softcover |
| Pages | 24 |
| Size | 22x22 cm |
| Age range | Early learning (2 – 6), Beginning readers (5 – 7) |
| Category | Happiness |
|---|---|
| Tag | Basic emotions: HAPPINESS |
WRITTEN BY EXPERTS IN CHILD PSYCHOLOGY
When he was happy, the little hamster jumped, laughed loudly and ran around the house. His mother decided to introduce him to a different kind of happiness, one that was quiet and calm. At first, the hamster didn’t understand what his mum was talking about, so she asked him to lie down, close his eyes and breathe deeply. Together they listened to his heartbeat and the rising and falling of his belly. Little hamster found it very pleasant and was glad to learn calm and quiet and calm happiness that he called − “gentle happiness”.
The emotion of happiness is universally recognizable by facial expressions, and in children it can be accompanied by loud screaming, clapping, running in place or around the room, and loud laughter.
Happiness is one of the so-called basic emotions. Basic emotions appear in all cultures and from the earliest age. By the end of the 6th month of life, a child expresses all four basic emotions (anger, fear, happiness, sadness).
There is no prescribed way to express happiness, but an integral component of this emotion is certainly a feeling of inner peace. We will feel happiness more easily and faster when we feel inside that everything is okay with the world around us, that we are safe and that we can be relaxed and carefree. Happiness can be felt through exciting and dynamic experiences, but also through calming techniques that bring deeper satisfaction and the experience of joy. We live in a time when children are overstimulated, constantly exposed to various information and content, so more and more experts advise introducing new routines such as deep breathing and relaxation, to help children establish a healthy emotional balance.
At the end of the picture book, there are also tips for adults that will help you direct your child to his inner world and help them balance the restlessness caused by strong stimuli from the environment.
Author: Tatjana Gjurković
Tatjana Gjurković has a master’s degree in psychology, she is certified psychotherapist, certified child play therapist (RPT), Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA), Teacher and Supervisor of Transactional Analysis (TSTA). She works individually with children and adults and holds educational programs for specialists in fields of child play therapy and transaction analysis. She is author of a book “Play Therapy with children” and 28 therapeutic picture books. She continuously promotes the importance of mental health in children and adults through Centar Proventus which she co-founded with her colleague Tea Knežević.
Author: Tea Knežević
Tea Knežević has master’s degree in psychology, she is certified psychotherapist, certified child play therapist (RPT) and Certified Transactional Analyst (CTA). She provides play therapy with children, psychotherapy with adults, parent consultations, and conducts numerous training courses for professionals in Centar Proventus which she co-founded with her colleague Tatjana Gjurković. She has written 28 picture books with therapeutic stories for children. In addition, she is the author of several manuals related to psychological resilience, gifted children, and anger management.
Illustrator: Jelena Brezovec
Jelena Brezovec has a master’s degree in social studies. For a long time, drawing was just a hobby, until 2008 when she became a co-founder of the publishing house Evenio and decided to study digital illustration, with the focus on children’s illustration. So far, she has illustrated more than 40 picture books and many other publications. She is the winner of the Grigor Vitez “Bird” Award, a special praise from the children’s jury. She has illustrated the most popular children’s book series in Croatia – Mrljek & Prljek. Her illustrations have been part of many exhibitions throughout Croatia. She lives and works in Varaždin, Croatia.
