How to Be Happy with Who You Are by Sudha Murty / Books Teacup and Reviews

How to Be Happy With Who You Are is a charming and thoughtful children’s book about self-acceptance, gratitude, and finding joy in your own life, that resonates with readers of all ages.

How to Be Happy with Who You Are

How to Be Happy with Who You Are by Sudha Murty

Publication Date : August 25, 2025

Publisher : Puffin

Read Date : October 3. 2025

Genre : Children’s fiction

Age : 5+

Source : Many thanks to Publisher for review copy.

Synopsis

‘True happiness comes not from comparison, but from accepting who we are.’

The young Princess of the Sea wants to be like her friends—strong like a mountain, sweet like a river, or full of life and colour like a tree. But with each change, she faces new surprises.

With the turn of seasons and shifting forms, she learns a gentle you shine brightest as yourself.
A magical, thoughtful tale about nature, change and self-acceptance, this charming chapter book is the ideal introduction to the imaginative world of Sudha Murty.

Review

How to Be Happy With Who You Are is a lovely and thoughtful children’s book told in a fable-like tone. It follows a young Princess of the Sea who, teased by her friends, begins to believe that being a sea princess isn’t important, that the vast sea doesn’t really offer anything.

Saddened, she asks her father, the King of the Sea, to let her live the lives of her friends so she can be as happy as they are. But as she experiences their worlds, she learns her lesson the hard way, realizing the importance of the sea and discovering the true value of who she is.

The illustrations are vivid and enchanting, so expressive they could tell the story even without words. Yet, this being a Sudha Murty tale, her simple yet profound storytelling shines through. I loved the father-daughter relationship through the King’s patience, his gentle attempts to guide her, and his wisdom in letting her learn her own lesson rather than forcing understanding upon her.

The message is timeless: don’t compare your life to others, because everyone’s happiness carries unseen struggles. The story beautifully conveys that being content with who you are and grateful for what you have is the real path to happiness. What I particularly loved is how the author lets readers absorb this lesson through the princess’s journey rather than spelling it out in a preachy tone.

Overall, How to Be Happy With Who You Are is a charming and thoughtful children’s book about self-acceptance, gratitude, and finding joy in your own life, that resonates with readers of all ages.