The ever-popular Shea, creator of, among many others, the fierce Dinosaur vs. series, goes for smiles with a barrage of feel-good images on bright yellow backgrounds. Who can resist a dancing cake? A candy parade? Clouds with faces? Hugs?! A certain frowny frog, that's who, lumpishly crouched in the middle of each picture. Readers are enlisted to give a wild yell, shake the book, or deliver some of the "can't miss" frog jokes gathered at the back, but not even this can lighten up the grouchy green thing (no surprise since Shea uses the same frog photo throughout). Eventually, annoyed, the narrator thunders, "SCRAM!" in extra-large type, and the next page turn reveals a frog shaped hole in the art. But suddenly all the smiles in sight are upside down ading to the acknowledgment that, right, "being mean is not happy. Being mean is mean." Time for an apology and an invitation to come back: there should be room in a happy dance for everyone. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Reliably best-selling Shea is back with another jaunty picture book that is sure to be met with enthusiasm.

Wanting to become the "happiest book ever," a personified book enlists its friends' help-but things go awry when a "frowny frog" doesn't fit in, hilariously teaching the book (and readers) kindness and acceptance. A benign happy face enthusiastically greets readers and asks them to help. With each spread, the cheery mood becomes more pronounced, the face more exuberant, and the author's signature humor more in evidence. Cheerful, appealing characters blossom, cute and full of whimsy, many with labels that emphasize their silliness or absurdity. These minimalist images are perfectly juxtaposed to a photo of a dour-looking frog, whose seriousness pervades the book. Soon the once-upbeat face reveals an accusatory, even aggressive side, proving the ends don't justify the means. But through its friends' guidance, the book learns tolerance and understanding, allowing for true happiness and cheer. Shea masterfully uses a simple format to introduce a complicated idea: how to illustrate the subconscious thinking of a fictional character. On the right page is the face and its verbal self, represented by the text. On the left is the visual manifestation of its thoughts (with some spillover to the right). There are levels of sophistication to this well-designed artwork done in a primary four-color palette with white accents. The interactive components will have readers shaking and flipping-and most of all laughing-their ways through its pages. A wonderful rethinking of the picture book as its own character. Wacky, zany, and downright fun. (Picture book. 5-8)

PreS-Gr 2 In a quest to be the happiest book ever, this interactive story has lined up lots of help. Dancing cake? Check. A candy parade and a flying lion? Yup. Now readers supply happy thoughts. All is well, except for the frowny frog. The book is super-duper happy, except for the frog, whose dour expression never changes. Entice a smile from him with a frog-centric riddle provided at the back of the book? (What's giant and green and hops around Tokyo? Frogzilla!) Nope, not even that groaner warrants a grin. Maybe we can just cover the frog with a Post-it note? No way, the sticky-tongued fellow makes fast work of that. The only solution is to kick the frog out of the book entirely. Now everybody's happy, right? Well, no, not exactly. Chasing Frog out of the book is just mean, and "being mean is not happy." In a forgiving mood, Frog comes back to the book and is given a balloon to make him content. Book, Frog, and readers have successfully made the happiest book ever! The volume is chock-full of colorfully wacky, doodlelike illustrations that employ a palette of yellow, orange, and bright blue. The book's "face" is surprisingly expressive, using only a few lines and shapes. VERDICT Fun for one-on-one sharing or a riotous time with a larger group, especially where other interactive titles are popular. Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY

Wanting to become the "happiest book ever," a personified book enlists its friends' help-but things go awry when a "frowny frog" doesn't fit in, hilariously teaching the book (and readers) kindness and acceptance. A benign happy face enthusiastically greets readers and asks them to help. With each spread, the cheery mood becomes more pronounced, the face more exuberant, and the author's signature humor more in evidence. Cheerful, appealing characters blossom, cute and full of whimsy, many with labels that emphasize their silliness or absurdity. These minimalist images are perfectly juxtaposed to a photo of a dour-looking frog, whose seriousness pervades the book. Soon the once-upbeat face reveals an accusatory, even aggressive side, proving the ends don't justify the means. But through its friends' guidance, the book learns tolerance and understanding, allowing for true happiness and cheer. Shea masterfully uses a simple format to introduce a complicated idea: how to illustrate the subconscious thinking of a fictional character. On the right page is the face and its verbal self, represented by the text. On the left is the visual manifestation of its thoughts (with some spillover to the right). There are levels of sophistication to this well-designed artwork done in a primary four-color palette with white accents. The interactive components will have readers shaking and flipping-and most of all laughing-their ways through its pages. A wonderful rethinking of the picture book as its own character. Wacky, zany, and downright fun. (Picture book. 5-8)

Happiness can be a cudgel: that-s the gist of this funny, original, and astute meta-story. The narrator is a relentlessly cheerful face who personifies the book itself and conscripts readers into helping create the -Happiest Book Ever.- The one obstacle is lumpy, unexpressive Frog, the only photographic image in the book. As the increasingly agitated face adds more and more digitally drawn whimsy to the pages (-Sunspot naptime kittens!- -A whale with good news!-) Frog-s imperturbability becomes an affront-an amphibian Bartleby the Scrivener. Ugly with rage, the face expunges Frog from the page, leaving a glaring white silhouette with an eerie, crime-scene vibe. None of the happy inhabitants is pleased about this turn of events (even the kittens are offended), and the disembodied face proves capable of growth: -Being mean is not happy.... Frog was just being frog.- A heartfelt apology brings Frog back, and Shea (the Ballet Cat series) leaves readers feeling a little better about protecting their individuality-and perhaps less inclined to steamroll others in the future. Ages 6-8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.)