The Happiness Box

In 1942, Sergeant “Griff” Griffin was a prisoner of war. With Christmas approaching, he decided to make a book for the children cooped up in nearby Changi Prison. The book was said to contain the secrets to happiness. But the enemy was suspicious … With this picture book, award winners Mark Greenwood and Andrew McLean bring to life the inspirational true story of a book that became a National Treasure.

This is the true story of Australian prisoners of war who created a picture book called The Happiness Box as a Christmas present for children interned in Changi Prison. The book survived the war and currently resides in the State Library of NSW. The Happiness Box was a CBCA Eve Pownall Award Honour Book and was shortlisted for a WA Premier’s Book Award. The book was written for children to chase away fear and give them hope, and contained the “secrets to happiness” such as the importance of friendship, kindness, compassion, generosity, loyalty, faith, courage and hard work.

“The Happiness Box (Walker Books Australia) is written by a formidable pair of Australian picture book creators, Mark Greenwood and Andrew McLean, whose illustrations are in pen and watercolour.”

The Happiness Box (Walker Books Australia) is written by a formidable pair of Australian picture book creators, Mark Greenwood and Andrew McLean, whose illustrations are in pen and watercolour. Paperbark Words
Highly Recommended. ReadPlus
The Happiness Box is a remarkable new book, about a remarkable old book. Kids' Book Review
Beautifully told and illustrated, this is a lovely story about the strength of the human spirit. The Golden Adventures
The Happiness Box offers children a new revelation into Australia’s war history and would be an important asset to every Australian classroom. Highly recommended. Kids' Book Review

Mark Greenwood

Mark Greenwood, who has a passion for history and legends, is the author of many books for children, published both in the United States and in his native Australia. His recent book, The Drummer Boy of John John, was honoured by Kirkus Reviews (“Best of 2012”) and the Bank Street College of Education Children’s Book Committee. The Donkey of Gallipoli, illustrated by his wife, Frané Lessac, was a CBC Honour Book and a USBBY Outstanding International Book. His work has twice received the West Australian Premier’s Book Award. Jandamarra, illustrated by Terry Denton, was short-listed for the 2014 Children’s Book Council Awards. Mark’s latest books include The Mayflower, published by Holiday House, and Midnight, published by Walker Books Australia and New Zealand and Candlewick Press in the US.

Andrew McLean

Andrew McLean grew up in the Victorian country town of Bairnsdale. He trained as a painter and teacher, and taught in secondary schools before becoming a lecturer in painting and drawing at Caulfield Institute of Technology. He has been a full-time artist now for more than thirty years. Andrew and his wife Janet have created many picture books together, and Andrew also illustrates books written by other authors. Many of his books have been award winners: he has won the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award three times. Bob the Railway Dog (written by Corinne Fenton) was his first work with Walker.

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