Finding Happy is a children’s book (ages 10‑14) written and illustrated by Dr. Ellen Langer, a Harvard psychologist known for her work on mindfulness. The book introduces the GLADO framework—Generous, Loving, Authentic, Direct, Open—as a set of attitudes and behaviors that foster self‑respect, empathy, and lasting happiness. Through a conversational guide‑dog character named Glado, readers are prompted with reflective questions, stories, and step‑by‑step exercises that teach them to understand their own actions, recognize others’ perspectives, and cultivate a positive self‑image. The publication is paired with an experimental AI digital twin, GaiaVoice, accessed via a QR code; a detailed disclaimer outlines parental consent requirements, liability limits, and the AI’s experimental nature. Extensive acknowledgments list contributors, translators, and accessibility specialists who produced multilingual, braille, and sign‑language versions, emphasizing inclusivity. The Albatross Foundation, a nonprofit focused on environmental stewardship and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, sponsors the book, linking personal well‑being with broader sustainability goals. The book also includes legal notices, copyright information, and a call to action for readers to share the GLADO principles with others.
Topics
GLADO Framework: Generous, Loving, Authentic, Direct, Open as Path to Happiness
Introduces the five core principles (GLADO) that the book teaches children to adopt for personal happiness and social empathy.
Mindfulness and Self‑Respect Foundations
Explains how self‑respect, present‑moment awareness, and understanding one’s own motivations underpin the GLADO approach.
Glado the Guide‑Dog Narrative Device
Uses a friendly guide‑dog character to engage readers, pose reflective questions, and model the GLADO traits through storytelling.
Practical Exercises: Reflective Questions and Step‑by‑Step Happiness Actions
Provides concrete activities—self‑questioning, respecting past actions, understanding others, and embracing GLADO traits—to embed the concepts in daily life.
GaiaVoice AI Digital Twin: Interactive Companion and Legal Disclaimer
Describes the QR‑code‑enabled AI coach, its experimental status, parental consent requirements, liability limits, and usage warnings.
Albatross Foundation, Sustainability, and SDG Alignment
Outlines the nonprofit’s mission to promote environmental stewardship, the book’s contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goal 18, and the charitable use of proceeds.
Acknowledgments and Multilingual Accessibility Efforts
Lists contributors, translators, and accessibility specialists who created versions in multiple languages, braille, and sign language, highlighting inclusivity.