Everyone, children too, knows what it’s like when sadness unexpectedly comes to call, that sense of gloom that is hard to explain, and almost impossible to shake off. The situation is very skilfully depicted in this picture book, which also provides ideas and strategies for ways to cope. A young child is shown opening the door to a doleful, shapeless creature and the two become so close they are almost one. But the invisible narrator has suggestions for ways to help Sadness, so that one day, when the child wakes, it’s gone. The story is very affecting and will be useful to children who have a particular sadness in their lives as well as those who feel it for no reason they can articulate. An important and rather beautiful book.
Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize and the V&A Book Cover Award, now as a collectible small hardback perfect for gifting. When Sadness arrives, try not to be afraid: give it a name, listen to it and spend some time together. Maybe all it wants is to know that it’s welcome. This beautiful debut by author-illustrator talent Eva Eland takes a poignant but uplifting look at dealing with sadness. Also available: a mini-hardback of the second book in the series, Where Happiness Begins. 'In an age where the pressure to be permanently happy can be overwhelming, this book oozes empathy and empowers young readers to understand their emotions' Storytime Magazine 'Poignant . . . helps children to recognise and understand difficult emotions. A contemplative and ultimately uplifting tale' Booktrust 'Packs an emotional punch, showing our littlest readers ways to acknowledge and manage sadness' Sunday Independent, Best Books of 2019
