It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
The Little Book of Joy

The Little Book of Joy

Summary

Joy is the warm tingly feeling of the sun tickling your toes in the morning.
It's the giggly, squiggly feeling when you are doing something silly.
Even when you wake to the rain and your joy is washed away, it's waiting at the bottom of the puddle.

This is the story of two friends: the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Once two lonely boys on opposite sides of the world, they grew up to discover the joy in everyday life and spread their joy with the people around them.

Their message for every child is that joy is never far away. Even in hard times, joy never truly disappears. And when we share our joy with others, it grows inside us.

This picture book adaptation of the international bestseller, The Book of Joy, is full of the humour, friendship, and deep affection between two spiritual leaders. In challenging times, it is a timely reminder that joy is all around us, if only we know where to look.

Vibrantly illustrated by award-winning Rafael López, this is the perfect book to reassure and inspire young readers everywhere.

Reviews

  • Praise for The Book of Joy (adult book): I want to wish all of you joy-because there is no better gift. Two spiritual masters, the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, share their wisdom in this uplifting book.
    Oprah Winfrey

About the authors

Dalai Lama

His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk. He is the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people and of Tibetan Buddhism. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and the US Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. The Dalai Lama travels extensively, promoting kindness and compassion, interfaith understanding, respect for the environment, and, above all, world peace. He lives in exile in Dharamsala, India. https://www.dalailama.com/ | @DalaiLama
Learn More

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Mpilo Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Southern Africa, became a prominent leader in the crusade for justice and racial reconciliation in South Africa. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009. Archbishop Tutu was regarded as a leading moral voice and an icon of hope. Throughout his life, he cared deeply about the needs of people around the world, teaching love and compassion for all.
Learn More

Rafael López (Illustrator)

Rafael López is an internationally recognized illustrator and artist. His illustrations bring diverse characters to children's books, and he is driven to produce and promote books that reflect the lives of all young people. He is the recipient of the 2017 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award, three Pura Belpré honors, and two Américas Awards. He splits his time between San Diego and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Learn More

Sign up to the Puffin newsletter

Stories, ideas and giveaways to help you spark young imaginations