This is a charming and well-illustrated book that helps explain how being kind, caring, and helpful can not only be contagious, but it also makes us all a little happier. The family is always grumpy and unhelpful — see the connection? The book helps show the causes and effects of unhappiness, and how the solution to unhappiness is often to show a little more kindness to others.

Like the Yowler family became after living next door to their new neighbors, the Nicely family, since reading this book to my children as many times as I can, my kids have been a little less complaining, and a lot more helpful. We’re all a little happier as a result! As a mother, I can recommend this book to literally every family and library 10,000 percent!