R.E.M. have adapted their 1991 hit single "Shiny Happy People" into a children's picture book, and it's kind of perfect. The book features the song's lyrics “Shiny happy people laughing / Everyone around, love them, love them / Put it in your hands, take it, take it" as it tells the story of an "unlikely friendship between a rabbit and a fox as they teach others about the joy of inclusion and acceptance."
"It is the perfect vehicle for R.E.M. fans to share a loving and positive message with children of all ages," the publisher description continues. So take note, R.E.M. fans who happen to have children in their lives!
Shiny Happy People is out now. See R.E.M.'s announcement Instagram post below.
R.E.M. broke up in 2011, and like any beloved act buzz around a reunion has been constant discourse among fans. Unfortunately, last year singer Michael Stipe put any rumors to rest, saying: “We will never reunite. We decided when we split up that that would just be really tacky and probably money-grabbing, which might be the impetus for a lot of bands to get back together."
He also recalled how after the band's demise, it was refreshing to not have to think about music constantly. "It was after the band disbanded that I realized I had not not thought about music my entire adult life since I was 19 years old," Stipe said at the time. "With R.E.M. it was always, always there. And so it was a bit of a vacation, frankly, to not have to think about music — and also to not be under contract."