A comforting primer in emotional literacy and mindfulness that suggests we approach the feeling of sadness as if it is our guest.
Sadness can be scary and confusing at any age! When we feel sad, especially for long periods of time, it can seem as if the sadness is a part of who we are--an overwhelming, invisible, and scary sensation.
In When Sadness Is at Your Door, Eva Eland brilliantly approaches this feeling as if it is a visitor. She gives it a shape and a face, and encourages the reader to give it a name, all of which helps to demystify it and distinguish it from ourselves. She suggests activities to do with it, like sitting quietly, drawing, and going outside for a walk. The beauty of this approach is in the respect the book has for the feeling, and the absence of a narrative that encourages the reader to "get over" it or indicates that it's "bad," both of which are anxiety-producing notions.
Simple illustrations that recall the classic style of Crockett Johnson (Harold and the Purple Crayon) invite readers to add their own impressions.
Eva Eland's debut picture book is a great primer in mindfulness and emotional literacy, perfect for kids navigating these new feelings--and for adult readers tackling the feelings themselves!
"Lots of white space on each page keeps the mood soothing and thoughtful as the girl tries to figure out what to do. . . There's lots of useful advice for sad days: going for a walk through the trees, or just sitting quietly together. Best of all, there's the calm reminder that tomorrow, 'when you wake up it might be gone.'" —New York Times
"Sadness, Eland expresses, need not always feel like an intrusive guest—rather, it’s one whose arrival warrants attention, reflection, and care."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
"…invites readers to look at sadness with new perspective and offers potential coping strategies. while offering an affirming way to understand, discuss, and view sadness that children—and their adults—may find helpful." —Booklist
EVA ELAND is a Dutch author and illustrator who lives in England. She earned an MA with distinction in children's book illustration from the Cambridge School of Art, and has also studied at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and the School of Visual Arts. When Sadness Is at Your Door marked her debut as an author-illustrator to watch. Follow @evaeland on Instagram.
Target Age: 3-7
Random House Book for Young Readers
Pub Date: January 29, 2019
0.4" H x 9.5" L x 8.6" W
32 pages
hardcover