Michael Rosen's Sad Book
An award-winning picture book to help children and families deal with loss and grief
Age 5+
Personal & Social Issues: Death & Bereavement
A heartbreakingly honest account of a father’s grief for his son from the illustrious pairing of two former Children’s Laureates.
"a masterpiece" - Observer
"important and astonishing" - The Sunday Times
Michael Rosen's Sad Book chronicles Michael's grief at the death of his son Eddie from meningitis at the age of 19. A moving combination of sincerity and simplicity, it acknowledges that sadness is not always avoidable or reasonable and perfects the art of making complicated feelings plain.
This award-winning picture book is a uniquely powerful way of starting conversations with children about loss, grief and overwhelming emotions.
Creators
Michael Rosen is a multi-award-winning poet, a popular radio broadcaster, distinguished critic and academic, and one of the most popular authors for children. He has written over 200 books in a career spanning over five decades, including the internationally bestselling We're Going on a Bear Hunt, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury. His poems, about family life, childhood and a good deal of silliness, have reached millions through his exuberant online readings. Michael was the Children’s Laureate from 2007 to 2009, and is now Professor of Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Quentin Blake was the very first Children's Laureate. One of the world's foremost illustrators, he has won numerous awards for his books and is most well-known for his work with Roald Dahl.
Reviews
With emotional elegance and nuance, he welcomes and unpicks each layer of mourning and explains why it’s ok to be sad. A painful, yet surprisingly uplifting read that’s suitable for both children and adults.
The Independent
A beautifully illustrated read for adults and children about love and loss which explains why it’s ok to be sad sometimes
Psychologies Magazine
If you read just one book to a child who has experienced the death of someone close to them it should be (this)
Daily Telegraph
Explains sadness and grief in a manner that children can comprehend
Gobblefunked
The beauty of this book is that the words and the pictures knit together so well.
Important and astonishing . . . Blake’s pictures are a triumph. They combine perfectly recognisable portraits of Rosen with expressionism, proving that Blake’s seemingly spontaneous style is born out of practice and precision. Both the words and the images articulate strong emotion with admirable economy and convey a sense of the preciousness of life without being sentimental, platitudinous or falsely hopeful. At moments, the story is even funny. This valuable book is painful, but its honesty is surprisingly uplifting. It is a huge achievement by both author and illustrator.
The Sunday Times
An eloquent and affecting portrait of sadness, this book packs wisdom into very few words.
The Guardian, ‘Picture Books on Prescription’
Featured in ‘20 Greatest Mental Health Books’ in Happiful.
Happiful
One of the greatest books on grief for children, indeed, for anyone.
i News
