Hoda Kotb Releases Children's Book Inspired by Daughter Haley: It's 'About Saying Thank You'

Hoda Kotb has added a new installment to her children’s book lineup.

The Today star sat down Tuesday with her co-hosts for a chat surrounding her latest endeavor — You Are My Happy — and discussed how it was inspired by her adorable 2-year-old daughter, Haley Joy, whom she welcomed in February 2017.

The sweet story focuses on a mama bear putting her cub to bed, when the duo spend some quiet time talking about what makes them happy. The practice is something the mother of one, 54, and Haley do regularly that the longtime television journalist cherishes deeply.

“Every night before I put her down, I always say to her, ‘You know what my favorite time of the day is?’ And I would just say, ‘Right now,’ ” said Kotb. “So about a week ago, I’m changing her and I’m putting her down for bed and I say, ‘Haley, do you know what my favorite time of the day is?’ And she looked at me and she goes, ‘Right now.’ “

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“And I thought that night time is so intimate and so special, so the book is really just about saying thank you for the little, tiny things,” she added.

Haley is featured on the back cover of her mama’s new book, which comes almost exactly one year after her first (I've Loved You Since Forever) and was illustrated by Suzie Mason, who also created the art for her first children’s book.

“Putting [Haley] to bed is something I thought I’d never be able to do, and being able to read something with her is fun. I hope that people just enjoy it,” Kotb said. “It’ll just let your little one drift off to sleep.”

Savannah Guthrie, herself a mom of two, called parenthood “the most beautiful privilege” and praised the book for serving as a reminder of that.

“That time at night is so incredibly special to me and I feel like I just don’t want to waste it,” Kotb said. “I think when you wait 52 years to do something, you really hold on to every second.”

You Are My Happy is available for purchase now on amazon.com.

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