Design a book cover

I help solving learning problems (for adults, e.g. students)

Here is some information about the book:

Autor: Benjamin Osenberg
Title: Lernprobleme
Subtitle: Probleme, Einsichten, Lösungen

The book is about problems in the context of learning. The title translates into "learning problems", the subtitle into "problems", "insights", "solutions". Its a practical, easy to read how-to book.
The purpose of this book is to help adult learners (eg Students) to understand their problems, gain new perspectives and to find solutions.
I would like the cover to illustrate the transition from being fearful, frustrated, desperate (having learnig problems) to being happy, successful and confident (because of solving them). I prefer a clean look, with some playful elements.
My idea is to represent the stages (1. feeling bad because of problems ("Probleme") 2. gaining new insights ("Einsichten") 3. being happy because problems are solved ("Lösungen")) with smileys. But I am open for suggestions and other ideas, since my first sketch looked pretty bad (attachment).

The back should contain a short text about the book, a small picture of me and a very short description of my work.