โœจ 6 Books on Amazon

What Makes Me
Happy,
What Brings Me Joy

A Day At The Park ยท A Rainy Day ยท A Snowboarding Adventure & More

An award-winning children's book series celebrating the simple joys of life, through colorful art, lovable characters, and stories that connect children across cultures. By John Carl Martin & Destiny J. Martin.

6 Books Published
4โ€“7 Ages
โ˜… 5 Amazon Rating
What Makes Me Happy What Brings Me Joy: A Day At The Park
What Makes Me Happy What Brings Me Joy: A Rainy Day
What Makes Me Happy What Brings Me Joy: A Day At The Beach
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6 Books on Amazon

The full series is available on Amazon in paperback and digital formats.

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Autographed Copies

Get a personally signed book shipped directly to you or as a gift.

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Workshops & Events

Interactive storytelling & craft workshops for schools and communities.

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Island Spirit

Born from the warmth of Barbados and the creativity of Brooklyn.

What Makes Me Happy,
What Brings Me Joy

Six colorful adventures featuring Happy, Joy, Peace, Faith, Love & Passion, characters who represent the emotions of the spirit. All available on Amazon.

What Makes Me Happy What Brings Me Joy: A Day At The Park Book 1
What Makes Me Happy, What Brings Me Joy

A Day At The Park

By Destiny J. Martin & John Carl Martin

The original Happy Island adventure, join Happy and friends for a joyful day at the park!

What Makes Me Happy What Brings Me Joy: A Day At The Beach Book 2
What Makes Me Happy, What Brings Me Joy

A Day At The Beach

By Destiny J. Martin & John Carl Martin

Sun, sand, and sea, Happy and Joy discover the wonders of a glorious beach day!

What Makes Me Happy What Brings Me Joy: A Rainy Day Book 3
What Makes Me Happy, What Brings Me Joy

A Rainy Day

By Destiny J. Martin & John Carl Martin

Even on a rainy day there's joy to be found, mud pies, paper boats, and rainbow wonder!

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3 More Books!

A Snowboarding Adventure, Outdoor Games & more, see the full collection.

View All 6 Books โ†’
Meet the Authors

The Creators of Happy Island

A father-daughter duo whose love of art, imagination, and joy brought Happy Island Books to life.

John Carl Martin, Author & Illustrator
๐ŸŽจ Author &
Illustrator

John Carl Martin

"It is often through the little things in life that we get the most joy, and our books reflect on that simple bliss."

John Carl Martin is an internationally acclaimed artist, author, and illustrator born on the island of Barbados. His work has been featured at the Bronx Museum of the Arts and galleries worldwide. He has presented storytelling and craft workshops across the United States and the Caribbean.

Through his design studio JMartin Designs, Martin's work has been commissioned by celebrities and major brands including Warner Brothers, New Line Cinema, Sony Pictures, Brand Jordan, Mattel, Gap, Audi, and Virgin Mobile.

He co-created the What Makes Me Happy, What Brings Me Joy series with his daughter Destiny J. Martin. The characters Happy, Joy, Peace, Faith, Love, and Passion were inspired by Destiny's original drawings, representing emotions of the spirit through their bright yellow sun-like glow.

Watch Interviews โ–ถ Book a Workshop
Destiny J. Martin, Co-Creator & Artist
โœจ Co-Creator &
Artist

Destiny J. Martin

"Art has always been my language, the way I express what words can't quite say."

Destiny J. Martin is the co-creator of the Happy Island Books series and the artistic imagination behind its beloved characters. A lifelong artist, Destiny has loved creative expression since she could hold a brush, and it was her original character drawings that first brought Happy, Joy, Peace, Faith, Love, and Passion to life.

Now 25, Destiny has grown her artistic passion into her own creative business, Imagine Dezzie Designs, where she creates vibrant, imaginative art experiences that spark confidence and joy in children and families. Her background spans illustration, design, and face painting, with years of experience bringing creativity to events and communities.

Her collaboration with her father John Carl Martin on the What Makes Me Happy, What Brings Me Joy series is a testament to what happens when imagination meets heart, and the result is magic on every page.

Visit Imagine Dezzie Designs โœฆ

Meet the Happy Island Crew

Happy, Joy, Peace, Faith, Love & Passion, six characters who represent the emotions of the spirit, recognizable by their bright yellow sun-like glow.

Happy Island Characters, Happy, Joy, Peace, Faith, Love, Passion

Watch & Be Inspired

TV interviews, book features, and more with John Carl Martin.

Mornin' Barbados Interview
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Mornin' Barbados, TV Interview

John Carl Martin on his art career & "What Makes Me Happy, What Brings Me Joy"

Happy Island Books
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Happy Island Books

A closer look at the world of Happy Island Books

Happy Island Books Feature
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The Joy of Creating

Behind the scenes with John Carl Martin

Happy Island Books Craft Workshop
Storytelling & Craft Workshop

An Interactive Learning Experience

John Carl Martin brings the Happy Island Books to life with multi-sensory storytelling and craft workshops for children ages 4โ€“7. Available for schools, libraries, community centers, and special events.

  • โœ“ Stimulate the imagination
  • โœ“ Encourage positive mental attitude
  • โœ“ Drawing, coloring, origami & craft-making
  • โœ“ From $300, packages for any group size
Book a Workshop โ†’
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