Illustrating the Unsayable:

Anna Godeassi Captures the World’s Untranslatable Joys

“Happiness is made of small gestures and unspectacular emotions we rarely talk about, seldom defined. Except, sometimes, by one language alone…”

Have you ever felt that exact spark of effervescence when talking to someone you like, or the profound peace of tasting something delicious straight from the cooking pot? We all experience these fleeting, beautiful moments of everyday joy, but the English language doesn’t always have a single word to describe them.

Enter Jumping into Puddles—a breathtaking new crossover book written by Ilide Carmignani and Elena Battista, and brought to vibrant life by the exceptionally talented Directory of Illustration artist, Anna Godeassi.

Designed to enchant readers of all ages—from children to adults—this book takes us on a global linguistic journey to discover the most original, evocative, and untranslatable terms for happiness.

Capturing the “Pleasure of Small Things”

Happiness is rarely about the massive, cinematic milestones. More often, it’s found in the unspectacular, quiet emotions we rarely talk about. Jumping into Puddles explores how different cultures have uniquely captured these feelings “as if by magic.”

Through its pages, readers will discover words like:

• Merak (Serbian): The intense pleasure derived from simple, everyday joys.

• Ailyak (Bulgarian): The art of doing everything calmly, without rushing, and truly soaking in the present.

• Kilig (Tagalog): That sudden, fluttering feeling of butterflies in your stomach when interacting with someone you like.

From the sense of lightness at the end of a long workday to the bracing energy of a dip in chilling water, the book defines the undefinable.

The Artistry of Anna Godeassi

To translate the untranslatable requires a visual storyteller with immense empathy and imagination. Anna Godeassi’s illustrations do just that. Her signature style—rich with warmth, conceptual depth, and whimsical textures—perfectly mirrors the book’s sense of wonder.

Anna’s artwork acts as a bridge between language and emotion. She transforms abstract cultural concepts into visual poetry, making the reader feel the exact warmth of samar or the flow of curgla through brilliant color palettes and evocative metaphors. It is a true testament to the power of illustration to communicate when words fail.

A Crossover Book for Every Bookshelf

Jumping into Puddles is more than a children’s book; it is a stunning coffee table piece for adults and a comforting read for young adults. It serves as a gentle reminder for all of us to slow down, look around, and appreciate the simple joy of being alive.