"THE HAPPIEST MOMMY EVER," by Alice Furniss, illustrated by Julie Olson, Deseret Book, 32 pages, $17.95

Where does happiness reside? Author Alice Furniss and illustrator Julie Olson answer this question in their delightful new children's book, "The Happiest Mommy Ever."

This is a beautiful book -- bright, cheerful and clever. It is hard not to grin when looking at Olson's illustrations. Sure, there are a lot of happy faces, but the drawings show a range of emotions behind the smiles that are subtle and beautiful.

The book falls into the category of heart-warming surprise ending. A little boy tells the story. "Mommy, what is the happiest you've ever been?" he asks.

What follows is like a parade of Mormon TV commercials on the family: vignettes that grasp those meaningful moments in life. It may be hard for parents to read these fictional mom's reminisces without remembering those same turning points in their own lives. It taps into the archetypal.

All of these remembered events were happy moments in the mommy's life. But what is her happiest moment? Although it isn't stated explicitly in the book, happiness, it turns out, isn't an event.

Like great books written for children, Furniss placed a deep message in this book. The ending may at first seem more unusual than surprising. But it is deep and profound, making this a book that kids and adults won't mind reading again and again.

The book also has a nice rhythmic pattern to its episodes that will make it easier for children to enjoy. Thankfully, there is no attempt to rhyme.

Olson's illustrations and the graphic design of the book make it feel like a photo album or a scrapbook. It's homey.

This isn't to say that the book is perfect. The story takes place during a cookie-making session between the little boy and his mommy. This is a typical comfort situation. It is nice and fits the ending, but it is not unexpected. It is almost stereotypical: "Making cookies with Mommy." The book could have worked just as well with a less familiar setting -- perhaps one that involved working together, like weeding a garden -- or how about mommy and little boy working on fixing a bicycle flat?

"The Happiest Mommy Ever" is at once both comfortable and challenging. Happiness isn't an event; it is a way of living in the present with those we love -- even if we can't make cookies.

Kid's Review
By Kate De Groote, Age 7

The book is about a kid making cookies. But you will have to read the story to find out the rest!

I think this book is a thumbs up. First, it has a cool story and illustrations. Also, I like the organization of the story. Finally, I like how they made it like a scrapbook. That is why I give a thumbs up for this book.

E-mail: mdegroote@desnews.com