Teaching Children Self-Esteem through Hugo The Happy Starfish

Details:  Suzy Liebermann's book, It's Good to be Me,  is the first book of HUGO THE HAPPY STARFISH is an Award-Winning Finalist in the CHILRDEN’S MIND/ BODY/ SPIRIT category of the USA “Best Books 2011” Awards.

The key theme behind the HUGO THE HAPPY STARFISH series is that building character based on a positive attitude leads to a happy, self-confident and successful human being. I have written this exciting series of children’s books to help educate children about their feelings, their attitude, their choices, and the consequences that follow. 

 IT’S GOOD TO BE ME! is a story about the importance of self-esteem when striving to be a happy and successful person.   Hugo learns a great lesson and once those changes are made he wishes he could be himself again.  Join Hugo on his journey as he discovers that being himself is the best way to be – and the only way to be happy.

Review:  Hugo’s story is a good way to teach kids about having a healthy self-esteem and to be happy with the way they are.  This book is a great way to teach APPRECIATION and the FIVE SENSES.  Hugo believes that the Magic Manta is the greatest sea creature, and Hugo wants to be just like him.  Magic Manta grants him 6 magic wishes, and Hugo sets out at once to change himself.

Get your book here to find out what happens to Hugo.


Pros:  Love Suzy Liebermann's books.

Cons:  Again, the ebook has an issue of zooming in on the page on an android phone, possibly a tablet too.  Author is aware of the issue and working on fixing this.

My Rating:  Thumbs UP!!!

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Learning Commitment through Suzy Liebermann's Books

Details:  ONE STEP AT A TIME by Suzy Liebermann, is another Hugo the Happy Starfish book.  ONE STEP AT A TIME is a story about the need for perspective, whatever mountains we face. This book is the perfect way to each kids to divide big challenges into little chunks and to take things one step at a time.  The book is suitable as a read aloud book for preschoolers or a self-read book for older children.

The book comes with a number of worksheets which are downloadable at no cost on Suzy's website.  Hugo The Happy Starfish.

Review:  This book was fun to read, and I loved how the author took us to Switzerland.  Suzy not only incorporates great character traits, but letting kids see the world too is captivating.  Hugo the Happy Starfish learns how to stick with it.  If it is important, all he has to do is take One Step At A Time.  Doesn't mean he'll get discouraged, but it can still be accomplished.

(When you read this book, you may want to have some chocolate candy on hand to give to your children afterwards.)

You can get your copy here: 

Pros:  Great childrens book.  Captivatingly written.

Cons:  Ebook still needs some work to allow to zoom in, but author is aware of issue and working on correcting it.

My Rating:  Thumbs UP!!!  

Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Teach Children Empathy through Hugo the Starfish book

Details:  Suzy Liebermann has an entire series of children's stories relating to character traits.  Each revolve around Hugo The Happy Starfish.  Her books are very colorful, and great reading for kids of all ages.  She says, "Believing that happiness can be learned, feelings can be understood and that building character based on a positive attitude leads to happy, content, self-confident and successful human beings,I have created this exciting series of charming books about HUGO THE HAPPY STARFISH."  Suzy does a great job with this.

Review:  The Power of the Word - The Island of Empathy is #2 in her Character Traits Series.  Hugo is on a quest to find the real world.  He travels to various islands to discover what the real world is all about.  The Power of the Word, takes Hugo to the Island of Empathy.  Here he learns that good words are like arrows with hearts on the end.  They make you feel good all over.  On the other hand, words that hurt and are bad or mean are like arrows with sharp points-they hurt.

I believe most kids would enjoy these books.  It would be great to have access to these in school's and libraries for parents and teachers to discuss with their children.  What a fun way to learn about good character traits.  Get your copy here:  



Pros:  Delightfully written.

Cons:  The ebooks are a bit challenging to read.  The author is aware of the problem of not being able to zoom in on the ebook pages.  She is working to correct that issue.

My Review:  Thumbs Up.  

Disclaimer:  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Kids Book on Happiness by Suzy Leibermann

Details:   FLYING HIGH - HUGO THE HAPPY STARFISH  is written by Suzy Liebermann.  She has an entire series of children's stories relating to character traits.  Each revolve around Hugo The Happy Starfish.  Her books are very colorful, and great reading for kids of all ages.  She says, "Believing that happiness can be learned, feelings can be understood and that building character based on a positive attitude leads to happy, content, self-confident and successful human beings,I have created this exciting series of charming books about HUGO THE HAPPY STARFISH."  Suzy does a great job with this.  She  has written this series to help educate children about their feelings, their attitudes, their choices and the consequences that follow.

Review:  Flying High, is about finding Happiness.  Hugo the Happy Starfish must travel to various islands to learn about different character traits, life skills, and ecological alertness.  This is the first in her series.  However, it is my belief that you don't have to start with this book to enjoy the series, but might be beneficial.

Hugo has a big heart and he wants to make others happy.  To be truly happy, one has to have the right attitude.  This is what Hugo learns.  He also learns what it means to be open minded, which can be confusing to kids.  Hugo also learns about enthusiasm and how important it is to be enthusiastic to learn new things.

As I read each of Suzy's books in this series, it is interesting to see how Hugo is so much like children in general-very enthusiastic and curious.  This is a great series to get.  You can start by getting the first book in the series here.



Pros:  Very good at teaching character traits to kids through Hugo the Happy Starfish.

Cons:  The ebook doesn't allow you to zoom in on the android phone.  Don't know if the same holds true for a tablet. Author is aware of issue and working on correcting it.

My Rating:  Thumbs UP! 

Disclaimer:  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Award Winning Children's Book on Happiness

Hugo The Happy Starfish, The Secret to Happiness by Suzy Liebermann. 

This book is pretty amazing, and is even printed in 7 different languages! Hugo is a cute little starfish. He sometimes finds his life to be a little dull. Tired of feeling sad, one day he sets off to find happiness. After much searching, he discovers something that makes his heart do a somersault! Sharing with others is the only thing that makes him truly happy; all other things just made him feel better for a little while.

My Book Review:  

The cover flap not only gives a brief description of the story, but I like how the author also discusses character development.  She introduces Spanish words, ecological alertness and life skills through the underwater sea world creatures.

I've always wanted to learn Spanish, and still have a hard time with that.

I like how Suzy Liebermann has a couple of pages at the end of the story to draw about specific topics that her books focus on.  She also includes a website for more games, fun and information. Hugo The Happy Starfish.  Her book is a Best Books Award Finalist.

Regarding the story itself, the one thing I particularly did not like was right after Hugo had discovered this treasure and bought all he wanted, after a year his sadness returned.  Hugo visits his magical friend the Manta.  His wise friend tells Hugo to be happy forever, he needs to "Just share with others!".  This part I didn't have a problem with.  The following is what urked me.  "Hugo thought for a while.  Then he had an idea:  I could share my heart with others."  Now sharing your heart and serving others is truly what will make you a happy person.  I truly believe that. However, those I read the book to, all agreed that this was a greedy little Starfish and not willing to share his wealth and riches, just his heart.  Maybe that's because we were all grandparents and not children.  Just saying...

That being said, I believe the book was a great kids book.  I think my grandkids would enjoy it. You can get your copy here.

Why I liked this book

I like the basis of the story of happiness and how serving others and sharing with them is what truly makes one happy.  The underwater sea creatures help make this a fun children's book.

What could be better: 

I personally felt like Hugo the Starfish seemed a little greedy by not wanting to share his wealth, just his heart.

But all in all, a great book to read!

Do you have other childrens books that help develop character? Share them below!

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.