Random House Children’s Books has announced the September 27 publication of The Little Book of Joy, a picture book adaptation of The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Nobel Peace Prize winners His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with Douglas Abrams, illustrated by Rafael López.
The only children’s work created by this pair of spiritual leaders, The Little Book of Joy will be released under the Crown Books for Young Readers imprint. In the picture book, Tutu, who died last year, and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, draw on their childhood stories to show young readers how to find joy even in hard times and to reveal why sharing joy with others makes it grow.
The book will be published simultaneously by Penguin U.K. and released as an e-book and an audiobook from Listening Library, further spreading to children the message of hope, kindness, and compassion introduced to adults in The Book of Joy. That title, which has been released in more than 40 languages and has sold more than one million copies in the U.S. alone, also inspired Mission: Joy, a 2021 documentary film released by an Academy Award–winning team.
The Little Book of Joy is written in collaboration with two authors and editors at Idea Architects book and media agency: Douglas Abrams (who served as Desmond Tutu’s cowriter and editor for more than a decade) and Rachel Neumann (who has worked with the Dalai Lama for more than 10 years).
Mallory Loehr, RHBYR executive v-p and publisher, praised the picture book adaptation’s clear focus—and its value to readers in these unsettling times. “I feel that this is an auspicious time for anyone to read The Little Book of Joy,” she said. “We’re all feeling such uncertainty—adults as well as kids—and this book gives the message that no matter what is happening in the world, there is joy around us if you stop and look for it. And I love that this book reveals that from the perspectives of two different people who came to the same conclusion and became friends. This picture book turns the adult book into a poem—one that we all need right now.”
Loehr also had accolades for illustrator Rafael López’s interpretation of the stories of the visionaries it illuminates. “He did an unbelievably beautiful job—it’s as though he gives the words wings,” she said. “The images of the two lead characters as children, as well as the color palette of the book, seem to embody joy. Rafael’s pictures of finding joy in a friend, a blooming flower, or a rainbow that wraps around the world are so engaging, and so important right now.”
López, whose artistic ventures range from creating postage stamps to painting sprawling murals, was pleased to add The Little Book of Joy to his book illustration credits, which include bestsellers The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Sonia Sotomayor’s Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You. “I’m grateful and honored to give visual voice to the stories of two luminaries of global peace, to remind children to seek joy because it can be found in unexpected places, even in challenging times,” he said.
Loehr added, “We are thrilled and honored that His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu created this book with us that brings their important message of joy directly to children. Particularly in light of the archbishop’s passing, we are lucky to have this uplifting book that can inspire future generations of children to look at the world through his unique lens of wonder, generosity, and celebration.”
The Little Book of Joy by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with Rachel Neumann and Douglas Abrams, illus. by Rafael López. Crown, $18.99 Sept. 27 ISBN 978-0-593-48423-4.
