I'm Sad Today
What’s inside...
What does being sad mean? What is sadness? How can you be deliberately sad? Our protagonist embarks on a quest to find everything she needs to be sad. As she tries to express her sadness through drawing and imagining vast oceans of tears, she realizes the adventure is not just about proving her sadness but also about exploring her imagination, self-discovery, and the joy of playing. A heartwarming book perfect for family reading to stimulate self-awareness and boost children's imagination.
Age
3-7
Length
34 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What made the character feel sad in the story, and have you ever felt the same way?
How did the character try to make themselves feel better? What do you like to do when you're feeling sad?
Can you think of a time when a friend or family member was sad? What did you do to help them?
What are some things that make you happy when you’re feeling down?
How do you think the story would change if it ended differently? What would you do if you were in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child about a time they felt sad and discuss what helped them feel better. Use this to bridge connections with the story.
While reading, pause at key moments to ask how your child thinks the character is feeling, enhancing their empathy skills.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture or write a few sentences about a part of the book that stood out to them, fostering their expressive skills.
Discuss the importance of recognizing and talking about different emotions as they appear in the book, emphasizing that it’s okay to feel and express sadness.
Reinforce the message that everyone feels sad sometimes and it’s important to have people to talk to, like friends and family.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Emotions
Explanation: The book 'I'm Sad Today' explores various emotions a child might feel, emphasizing that feeling sad is a natural part of life.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify and express their emotions more clearly, helping them communicate their feelings effectively with others.
Example Lesson: Empathy Development
Explanation: Through the interactions of characters, the book teaches kids to recognize and respond to the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: This helps children to develop empathy and improve their social interactions at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: The story shows how the protagonist copes with sadness, providing a model of resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can adopt similar coping strategies when dealing with their own adverse emotions or situations.
Example Lesson: Normalization of Sadness
Explanation: By portraying a character who experiences and deals with sadness, the book helps to normalize this emotion as something everyone deals with occasionally.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that it’s okay not to feel happy all the time, which is important for their emotional development.