Saturday, October 7, 2017

Michael Rosen's Sad Book

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Not all parents have to deal with the grief of losing a child, but for those who do, the right book can serve as an outlet and reprieve for sadness. Likewise, children who have lost loved ones also need books to speak to their experiences. Adults and children who want a way to talk about grief will appreciate Michael Rosen’s Sad Book: autobiographical, yet universal, it follows Rosen’s journey to grieve his son and helps readers approach difficult subjects with understanding and tenderness.

Written in a conversational tone, this book punctuates descriptions of how grief feels with repeated questions: “Where is sad?” “When is sad” “Who is sad?” The reader is invited to empathize with Rosen, who is depicted in pen and watercolor illustrations on each page, navigating his sadness. Readers will recognize aspects of profound sadness in both the refrain of “Sometimes…” and in the rough lines and muted colors of the illustrations.

Michael Rosen’s Sad Book may not be a cherished bedtime story, or even one that every parent will want to share with their children, but it is a necessary story. It neither trivializes nor dramatizes depression, but instead shares honestly. Rosen’s telling creates a space for other parents to share their stories, and to feel less alone in their grief. It gives words to parents and children who may not know how to communicate what their sadness feels like, no matter what the cause of that sadness is. 




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