What if the best part of Christmas isn’t something you find under the tree, but something you create and share with others?
That’s the heart of The Christmas Happiness Hunt, a new holiday picture book by Southern California author Paula Price, arriving November 20, 2026, from Anchor Heart Books.
Set in the cozy town of Hound Hollow, the story follows three puppy siblings as they set out on a Christmas happiness hunt. Along the way, young readers are invited to notice the little things that bring joy and discover how kindness can help make the season brighter.
The first book in the new Puppy Pines Adventures series, The Christmas Happiness Hunt is designed to be more than a festive read-aloud. Its themes provide a natural starting point for conversations between children and adults about kindness, happiness, and the joy of sharing with others.
Price will celebrate the book’s launch with readings at the Kiwanis Literacy Booth at the Magnolia Park Holiday Event in Burbank on November 20. On December 4 at 7 p.m., she will also appear at the Santa & Sons Christmas tree lot for a special holiday storytime, featuring a reading of The Christmas Happiness Hunt followed by a fun, interactive kindness activity for children. She also hopes to bring the story to schools, libraries, bookstores, and community gatherings through interactive holiday storytimes and kindness activities.
“Christmas happiness isn’t something we have to find or unwrap. It’s something we can create through the little things we do for one another,” says Price. “I wanted to create a story that gives families a chance to share that message together, especially during a season when kindness and connection matter so much.”
Price is a children’s author, publisher, and certified happiness coach, as well as the founder of Anchor Heart. Through her books and resources, she hopes to inspire happiness, kindness, confidence, and connection while helping children and adults discover and use their own light
