Our Story

Cookie the Shih Tzu.
Cookie
Haaah™
[like a soft exhale, a sigh]

The name comes from a childhood memory: a tiny Shih Tzu named Cookie would plop onto the floor and let out the softest sigh. A sound that signaled it was time to rest. That exhale became a reminder to pause, and the inspiration for everything we make.

How It Started

The creator picked up a word search looking for a screen-free way to relax. The goal was to learn while unwinding, but the categories felt random and the words didn't stick. What did stick? The margins. They became a space for stray thoughts, to-dos, and reflections. That's where the idea was born.

Make Space for You™

Each book is built around a theme, and the theme shapes everything. The vocabulary is curated and organized into categories that rotate in a predictable rhythm. The same word can appear in two different titles, but the definition and contextual sentence will read completely differently because they're written through the lens of that book. Within the same collection, titles have minimal word overlap so each one stands on its own.

A word search journal is a book that pairs word search puzzles with journaling. Instead of a list of random words and a grid, every word lives inside a word set: the word itself, how to pronounce it, what it means, and a contextual sentence that connects it to your life through a reflection question, a fun fact, a quote, or a drawing exercise. Dot-grid pages between puzzles are open space for the prompts, stray thoughts, or doodles. The structure gives you a starting point and the open pages let you wander.

It's the difference between finding words and learning from them. A word search journal is screen-free by design: just a book, a pen, and whatever you bring to it.

“Connect with Words combines the science of reflection with the satisfaction of play.”

— Notes from Justin Shea, LCSW

Pattern Recognition

Word searches engage your brain through pattern recognition and problem-solving. Completing puzzles can build confidence while introducing new vocabulary in context.

Flexible Framework

The dot-grid pages provide a flexible framework for journaling, sketching, or free expression without the constraints of lined paper.

Screen-Free Reset

Taking breaks from screens can help reduce mental noise and create space for slower thinking.

Intentional Engagement

Putting pen to paper encourages reflection and self-awareness. The combination of structured puzzles and open pages lets you choose what you need in the moment.

Out in the world

Haaah booth banner at a book festival
Readers and the Haaah team at the booth
LA Times Festival of Books sign
A reader drawing on their book cover
Visitors at the Haaah table
Instax photos pinned at the booth

Book festivals and events. More on Instagram →

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Los Angeles based, women owned, minority owned.