Michael Rosen's Sad Book
on Goodreads (3,298)
What’s inside...
With unmitigated honesty, a touch of humor, and sensitive illustrations by Quentin Blake, Michael Rosen explores the experience of sadness in a way that resonates with us all. Sometimes I'm sad and I don’t know why. It's just a cloud that comes along and covers me up. Sad things happen to everyone, and sometimes people feel sad for no reason at all. What makes Michael Rosen sad is thinking about his son, Eddie, who died suddenly at the age of eighteen. In this book, the author writes about his sadness, how it affects him, and some of the things he does to cope with it — like telling himself that everyone has sad stuff (not just him) and trying every day to do something he can be proud of. Expressively illustrated by the extraordinary Quentin Blake, this is a very personal story that speaks to everyone, from children to parents to grandparents, teachers to grief counselors. Whether or not you have known what it's like to feel deeply sad, the truth of this book will surely touch you.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
31 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What made Michael feel sad in the story?
How did Michael try to make himself feel better?
What are some things that make you feel sad?
How can we help each other when we're feeling sad?
What did you learn from Michael’s experiences about handling sadness?
Tip: Role play these questions
Validate your child's feelings by sharing a personal story of a time you felt sad and how you coped with it.
Encourage your child to express their emotions through drawing or writing after reading the book.
Discuss the importance of seeking support from loved ones during tough times, emphasizing that it's okay to feel sad and talk about it.
Use a calm and gentle tone to create a safe space for your child to share their thoughts and feelings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and expressing emotions
Explanation: Michael Rosen's Sad Book provides an honest look at sadness, showing how the character navigates through his feelings after a significant loss.
Real-World Application: Children learn that it's okay to express when they're feeling sad and understand that these emotions are a natural part of life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: Through the protagonist's journey, readers see the value of being sensitive and supportive to others' feelings.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be empathetic towards friends or family members who may be experiencing similar emotions.
Example Lesson: Resilience and recovery
Explanation: The book presents grief as a process that involves coping and gradually finding strength, despite the sadness.
Real-World Application: Children learn that with time and support, they can start to feel better and regain happiness even after experiencing loss.
Example Lesson: Importance of memories
Explanation: Michael Rosen reflects on positive memories to help deal with his sadness.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that cherishing good memories can be a comforting way to honor loved ones and cope with grief.
Example Lesson: Seeking support
Explanation: The book shows the protagonist reaching out to others for comfort and understanding, demonstrating that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of talking about their feelings and connecting with others for emotional support.