I’m Back to Blogging (and Why It Still Matters)

There was a time when blogging felt like a natural extension of my day. I would sit down, reflect, write a few thoughts, add an illustration, and send it out into the world. It wasn’t about algorithms or optimization or “funnels.” It was simply about sharing something meaningful and hoping it might land in the right hands.

Somewhere along the way, I drifted from it.

Not because I stopped having things to say — goodness knows I still have plenty of thoughts — but because the world became louder, faster, and more complicated. Social media began to favor speed over substance. Short posts replaced longer reflections. And like many people, I wondered whether thoughtful writing still had a place.

I’ve decided that it does. So, I’m back to blogging.
Not to chase trends or numbers, but to reconnect — with parents, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone who believes that kindness, creativity, and happiness still matter in the lives of children.

Why Blogging Still Feels Right to Me
At 85 years old, I’ve learned a few things. One of them is that depth has a way of lasting.
A blog allows me to slow down. To explain why I write the books I write. To share what I’ve learned from creating more than 100 children’s books, thousands of illustrated musings, and a lifetime of art centered around joy.

A blog doesn’t rush me.
It doesn’t demand clever tricks.
It simply asks me to be honest.

And honesty, I’ve found, it travels farther than noise.

Writing for Parents, Not Gatekeepers
Over the years, people have often asked whether my books are used in schools, approved by educational boards, or part of formal reading programs. While those paths can be wonderful, I’ve come to realize something important:
The most powerful reading moments don’t happen in institutions. They happen at home.
They happen on couches, at bedtime, in kitchens, and on grandparents’ laps. Parents and grandparents are the ones who choose the books that shape early memories. They are the ones who read aloud, answer questions, and model curiosity and compassion.
That’s who I write for.

My stories are not designed to teach children how to pass a test. They are meant to help children feel safe, seen, and hopeful — and to give grown-ups something meaningful to share with them.

Why I Write Children’s Books About Happiness
People sometimes smile when they hear that many of my books revolve around happiness. As if happiness were a small or simple thing.

In my experience, happiness is neither small nor simple.
It’s a skill.
It’s a practice.
And it’s something children learn best when it’s modeled gently, not preached loudly.

Stories are how we do that.
A story can show cooperation instead of competition.

It can celebrate kindness without sermonizing.

It can remind children — and adults — that contentment often comes from simplicity, gratitude, and connection.

Those ideas have guided my work for decades, from Happy Musings to books like Let’s Everybody Fish and now my newest project, The Very Happy Farmer.

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A New Book, and a New Way of Sharing the Journey
As I work on The Very Happy Farmer, I’ve begun preparing short videos showing how a book comes to life — from the first lines of text to the early illustrations.

I am surprised (and delighted) by how many people enjoy seeing the process. It turns out that watching something grow slowly still resonates.

That’s another reason blogging feels like the right companion to these videos. A blog gives me space to reflect on the why behind the work — not just the what.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be writing more about:

• How children’s books are born
• Why reading aloud matters more than ever
• What art and storytelling have taught me about happiness
• And how stories can quietly shape a child’s view of the world

What You’ll Find Here Going Forward
If you’re new here, welcome.
If you’ve been with me for years, thank you for staying.
This blog will be a place for:

• Gentle reflections on children and creativity
• Behind-the-scenes glimpses into my books and art
• Thoughts on happiness, cooperation, and kindness
• Occasional links to books I’ve written — offered simply, never pushed.
  

My hope is that something here will feel useful, comforting, or inspiring — and perhaps spark a conversation between you and a child you love.

A Final Thought
I’ve spent my life believing that light deserves to be shared.
That art should lift rather than impress.
And that children deserve stories that honor their hearts.
Blogging allows me to continue that work in a quiet, thoughtful way.
So yes — I’m back to blogging.
And I’m very glad you’re here.
With gratitude,
Sally Huss
The Happy Artist
https://www.sallyhuss.com