★ The Pensive One series speaks to the youngest readers while winking at adults, with ideas and suggestions for those who want to say more. The history of three main concepts (Freedom, Friendship, Happiness) is told in the first person by a special guide: Sofia. She’s a little girl who is thousands of years old and lives on the magical Island of Big Questions. With her help, we’ll discover how the meaning of freedom has changed over time, how friendship exists not only between people but also in the animal and plant worlds, and that there are many ways to find happiness, which brings us peace. Novelli tackles philosophical issues, without renouncing the distinctive traits that have made him famous as a science communicator: humor, simple words perfect for kids, and colorful illustrations that bring the ideas to life.

This series includes 3 titles:
1. Brief History of Happiness
2. Brief History of Friendship
3. Brief History of Freedom

Humans have searched for it across time, it sometimes slips through our fingers when we try to grasp it too tightly: we name it “Happiness”.

On the Island of Big Questions lives Sofia, who answers what cannot be weighed or measured—questions about Happiness.

There was a time when happiness did not yet exist. Then life appeared on Earth, and with it came this powerful, desired emotion. At first, human beings were content with little: warmth, water, a safe day.

But soon they began to search for Happiness everywhere—through herds, gold, conquests—only to discover that it always seemed to move a little further away.

Great thinkers reflected on its many shapes: the joy of rising after a fall, the calm of serenity, the pride of creating, the quiet strength of doing one’s duty. Some believed it belonged only to a chosen few, or to another world beyond this one.

Later, revolutions declared it a right for all. Yet in modern times Happiness was packaged, advertised, and sold, confused with things that can be bought. Still, it survives in simple gestures: music, shared meals, sunlight, kindness. On Sofia’s island, people learn to cultivate it carefully, knowing that when shared it multiplies.

Actually, happiness is small. It is simple. It is a smile inside the heart.

Luca Novelli is an Italian writer, illustrator, an ecologist by training and conviction, a TV author and journalist. He is the author of a long series of science books for young readers translated into 22 languages. He collaborates with RAI, WWF, and a number of museums and universities.

Author of science and nature books translated worldwide, he collaborates with RAI, WWF, museums, and universities. In 2001, Legambiente, as part of the “Environmental Book Award,” granted him a career recognition for his production of popular science books for young readers; in 2004 he received the “Andersen Award” as best author of scientific popularization and the “Environmental Book Award” for the Genius Flashes series. He also is the author and illustrator for Valentina Edizioni of the ten-book series, Little Geniuses.