The Little Book of Lykke - Meik Wiking

#LookForLykke

As CEO of The Happiness Research Institute, based in Denmark (often called the world's happiest country), Meik Wiking is ideally placed to take us on a treasure hunt for Lykke, happiness. He takes us through plenty of research into the things that make people happy all over the world. Chapters explore the 6 key factors in the World Happiness Report - togetherness, money, health, freedom, trust and kindness. In each there is evidence and information about what Meik has discovered. Plus lots of ways we can bring a bit more lykke into our lives.

One of my favourite things I've learned is that libraries in Ancient Egypt and Greece used to have signs saying that you were entering a healing place for the soul. As a book lover I can completely believe this! 

The book inspired me in so many ways, to look up volunteering opportunities and set up apps such as Be My Eyes, which helps blind and partially sighted people. It made me want to get out in nature and do more walking. Take the scenic route rather than just the quickest. I really enjoyed finding out about happiness in different countries. I listened to an audio copy from the library but now I really want my own copy! I also plan to read Meik's earlier work, The Little Book of Hygge.

Obviously the perfect drink while contemplating happiness is a full on hot chocolate with all the trimmings. Make your favourite and top however you like. I may have gone a bit over the top with whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles and edible glitter!

Cookie! ...and the Most Annoying Boy in the World - Konnie Huq

Everything is going wrong, her best friend is moving away, her parents won't let her have a pet, and she's forced to sit next to the new boy at school. How is Cookie going to survive the year??? Luckily there's a chance to go on her favourite TV show, Brainbusters. All she has to do is put her science knowledge to good use and come up with the best science project. It'll be easy for the smartest girl in the class.

Of course, not everything goes smoothly and she finds herself in constant competition with the most annoying boy in the world, who unfortunately happens to be quite clever too. But maybe that means there's some hope for him yet!

You just can't help liking Cookie. She's tough and funny and impulsive, but never ashamed to admit when she's wrong. I think she's a wonderful role model for girls of all ages, including any adults reading the book! While being easy to read and understand, the book isn't childish at all. I think it will be just as enjoyable for adults reading aloud to younger kids.

Cookie! is so much fun to read. It's full of wonderful little doodles throughout the book that add to the humour and there's a great appendix at the end with instructions for all the experiments they do in the book. You'll want to try them all.

I've created Cookie's cocktail (for when she's a little older)! In a shaker, mix together one shot of vanilla vodka, 1/2 shot chambord and 3/4 shot lemon juice. Add a dash of chocolate cookie syrup and a couple of drops of chocolate bitters. Shake with ice and pour into a glass.