When Sadness Comes to Call

As a young child sits quietly reading a book, Sadness unexpectedly comes to visit. The doleful blue-green figure follows the child around, sitting close and making it difficult to breathe.

Sadness is a persistent presence, which only gets bigger if it is hidden away, but when the child acknowledges its existence, things start to improve. They do things together, such as drawing, drinking hot chocolate or listening to the trees while out for a walk and life becomes a little better. Gradually, Sadness reduces in size until one morning it disappears as suddenly as it arrived, leaving the child to enjoy a brand new day.

Introducing the concept of mental wellbeing, this poignant picture book helps children to recognise and understand difficult emotions. It sensitively enables young people to discuss and manage their anxieties and develop empathy for others who may be experiencing feelings of depression.

The succinct text is complemented by beautifully simple illustrations, rendered using a subtle palette of three colours, which skilfully reflect the varying emotions explored within the narrative. The result is a contemplative and ultimately uplifting tale, which will be a welcome addition to any home or school bookshelf.