388 books
—
81 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “When Sadness Is at Your Door” as Want to Read:
When Sadness Is at Your Door
by
In the style of Harold and the Purple Crayon comes a picture-book 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 ...more
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 ...more
Get A Copy
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
January 29th 2019
by Random House Books for Young Readers
(first published October 2018)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
When Sadness Is at Your Door,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about When Sadness Is at Your Door
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of When Sadness Is at Your Door
This is a simple beginning book about the visitor known as sadness and how to handle it. I think it’s pretty good advice like sit with it and get to know it and ask it why it’s here. Befriend it and a new day will have it going away. I think this book is simple and brilliant. I think this is good for all ages, but its target is the very young. It so simply explains sadness in a way children get. This is a FANTASTIC book. FANTASTIC.
The artwork is simple, the lines are simple, the story is simple ...more
The artwork is simple, the lines are simple, the story is simple ...more
A good book to introduce children about sadness. The last book I borrowed at the Scottsdale Public Library. See you again!
"Try not to be afraid od Sadness. Give it a name. Listen to it. Ask where it comes from and what it needs."
"Try not to be afraid od Sadness. Give it a name. Listen to it. Ask where it comes from and what it needs."
In my short journey in being a parent (my girls will be four years old this year), one of the most difficult things that my husband and I have been through is helping our girls with their emotions. Emotions are a part of the human condition but it can be hard to deal with them. "When Sadness is at Your Door" is a good primer on how even feelings like sadness have a place and shouldn't be pushed aside or forgotten. It is okay to be sad (oh, this is definitely a lesson that I am still learning as
...more
A sweet, gentle story that gives an actual shape to sadness and teaches children to acknowledge and be okay with feeling the feeling, while carrying on like usual.
Feb 07, 2019
Bookish
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
b0-childrens-books
One of my favourite illustrations from this book is on the copyright page. Sadness, represented by a mint-green amorphous blob, stands outside a closed door. On the other side of the door, a little girl clutches an open book in her hands. She peers cautiously over the top of the book, looking in the direction of door.
The book describes the little girl's changing relationship with sadness. In a gentle, matter-of-fact tone, it describes how sadness makes the little girl feel. It follows her ...more
The book describes the little girl's changing relationship with sadness. In a gentle, matter-of-fact tone, it describes how sadness makes the little girl feel. It follows her ...more
Excellent.
.
This is a must have tool in everyone’s arsenal. I’m talking schools, libraries, counseling offices, safety patrol vehicles...
.
We can never discount when we can serve as a lifeline for a child who is hurting.-
.
Talking to children about abstract ideas can be challenging. Throw in a little bit of taboo, though our society is improving in this area, makes it nearly impossible to reach our youngest and most vulnerable hearts. I mean, kids are kids...what do THEY have to feel sad about, ...more
.
This is a must have tool in everyone’s arsenal. I’m talking schools, libraries, counseling offices, safety patrol vehicles...
.
We can never discount when we can serve as a lifeline for a child who is hurting.-
.
Talking to children about abstract ideas can be challenging. Throw in a little bit of taboo, though our society is improving in this area, makes it nearly impossible to reach our youngest and most vulnerable hearts. I mean, kids are kids...what do THEY have to feel sad about, ...more
Dealing with unpleasant emotions such as sadness, fear, and grief can be very difficult for anyone, but especially for young children who may not have learned helpful coping skills. This lovely picture book uses language that is gentle and soothing along with softly rendered illustrations that show Sadness as a melancholy visitor that needs attention. I like that the book offers suggestions to help youngsters calm themselves with quiet activities in order to get to a place where maybe they can
...more
Feb 25, 2019
Colona Public Library
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
ashley,
e-children-picture-books
I wonderful introduction to sadness and its shifting relationship. I really enjoy the color palette in this book, the repeating colors make sadness a part of everything, even in something beautiful like the flowers outside. This is an excellent book to help kids understand their feelings, especially a strong emotion like sadness, that can come and go in different lengths of time. Excellent read, fantastic illustrations, I highly recommend! ~Ashley
A nice addition to Social-Emotional Learning picture book sets dealing with heavy emotions. Will pair well with The Rabbit Listened, Allie All Along, Jack's Worry, Whimsey's Heavy Things, The Remember Balloons, The Rough Patch... The muted palate of the illustrations fits the topic and creates a visual way for kids to see the sadness hanging on.
I really wish there were more books like this. With everything going on nowadays, kids need to see and hear more of this. Parents need to be able to have more books that help with our childs' emotions when we don't always have the words or a way to help them understand them ourselves. Just wish it was a little bit longer.
THIS REVIEW: might not be a popular opinion. But it is mine after this reading of it.
This is going to be a very popular book. It is going to win awards for context and for the illustrations. It will be talked about, promoted and probably go out of stock for awhile at vendors/publisher. If you have not read this book people are going to think you have two heads. And it is going to be one of those books that if you do not like it, people will think something is wrong with you. BUT do not be afraid ...more
This is going to be a very popular book. It is going to win awards for context and for the illustrations. It will be talked about, promoted and probably go out of stock for awhile at vendors/publisher. If you have not read this book people are going to think you have two heads. And it is going to be one of those books that if you do not like it, people will think something is wrong with you. BUT do not be afraid ...more
This is a gentle story that introduces sadness in a unique way. Children are encouraged to see sadness as a normal part of their lives. The story shows ways to include sadness in their daily activities, rather than trying to shut it out or hide it. Calming activities such as sitting quietly, drawing, listening to music, and going for a walk are mentioned as something they might do with sadness. And sometimes sadness will drift in and out of their lives, and that’s completely okay. This one could
...more
"Try not to be afraid of Sadness. Give it a name. Ask where it comes from and what it needs. If you don't understand each other, just sit together and be quiet for awhile."
A clear-minded, gentle story that teaches children (and adults) how to be compassionate with their hard emotions. By relating to our Sadness with tenderness and curiosity, Eland demonstrates how to understand vulnerability as strength -- without needing to "fix" anything or feign positivity. Simple, softly-colored ...more
A clear-minded, gentle story that teaches children (and adults) how to be compassionate with their hard emotions. By relating to our Sadness with tenderness and curiosity, Eland demonstrates how to understand vulnerability as strength -- without needing to "fix" anything or feign positivity. Simple, softly-colored ...more
A very important and powerful picture book that explains how to treat sadness when it arrives at your door, even though you may not have invited it over. The pared-down text and illustrations quite effectively break down this complex emotion into terms that a child can understand and relate to. The coping solutions presented are everyday activities that any child can do. This book's masterful creator ends the story arc with the child protagonist embracing sadness, and then sadness moving on.
...more
The one I own has a different title for some reason but it’s a lovely book. Fantastic illustrations.
I feel like this is a message that has been spreading more and more recently and there might be other books about it out there that I have yet to come across but I still found it heartwarming. I remember a few years back I worked on a comic strip with a friend that had the same overall message but instead of Sadness she chose Loneliness and I loved working on that and interpreting her words.
It’s a ...more
I feel like this is a message that has been spreading more and more recently and there might be other books about it out there that I have yet to come across but I still found it heartwarming. I remember a few years back I worked on a comic strip with a friend that had the same overall message but instead of Sadness she chose Loneliness and I loved working on that and interpreting her words.
It’s a ...more
Oh my goodness. I loved this book. As someone who was frequently sad as a child, and frequently sad as an adult, too, this one spoke to me. I could see how it would be a nice gift for a person of any age going through a rough spot or whose outlook on life is a bit more on the melancholy side. I liked how the book emphasized that sadness isn't something to fear, and that even when we are sad, we can still do things for self-care. I also enjoyed the depiction of sadness as a ghostlike creature.
Nice simple look at sadness for Littles. Even preschoolers can understand the feeling when this book is read to them. I like the way the book introduces sadness and encourages naming and accepting the emotion and also explaining that it goes away. That's very important. Children need words for what they are feeling and this books gives sadness expression. Love the illustrations, simple, but easily understood.
Guys,
Never have I felt so understood, vulnerable, and validated from reading a picture book before. It is so pure that as I was turning the pages I was trying to hold back tears.
This is a great resource for trying to explain to children (and adults) that it is okay to be sad and that you are not alone.
Nothing but love for this book <3
Never have I felt so understood, vulnerable, and validated from reading a picture book before. It is so pure that as I was turning the pages I was trying to hold back tears.
This is a great resource for trying to explain to children (and adults) that it is okay to be sad and that you are not alone.
Nothing but love for this book <3
Beautiful and simple story about embracing your sadness. It demonstrates how to name it and claim it, become friends with it, but don't let it consume. And so wonderfully said at the end, "Don't worry - today is a new day."
Great picture book that thoughtfully address emotions.
This is a cute children’s book about how it is okay to react in different ways when you are feeling sad.
Eland depicts the unexpected arrival of sadness, who appears in a rounded form and quietly demands to be felt. This is a story of coming to accept and recognise emotions, feel them rather than store them away, and find ways to live a normal life even during sadness. I loved the fact that this story encourages the reader to be present in their emotional state rather than suddenly overcoming this state. This is a story that needed to be written, and I liked the message that whilst we can do things
...more
Whelp, this is just lovely. Easy to understand and breaks down a concept that even adults struggle with - sometimes you just have to sit with sadness. Embrace it, let it know it is heard, and don’t try to hide it. The personification of sadness in the illustrations is very effective.
Beautiful book! It explains, in a simple way so children can understand, how to deal with sadness.
Recommended for all ages.
Recommended for all ages.
What a lovely book about the reality of sadness and some of the best ways to deal with it. I loved the end notes showing how sadness can look different in everyone.
How do children deal with sadness? This book helps children find ways of coping when sadness arrives, and reminds children that sadness is a normal part of life.
Jun 12, 2019
BrookesEducationLibrary
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
feelings
Simple, profound and a careful look at how sadness can seem to take over your days and nights and how to deal with it through acceptance.
So good! A rare picture book that addresses sadness.
Oct 26, 2019
Rebekah
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
picture-books,
mental-health
What first appears to be a simple story following a day in the life of a young girl experiencing sadness, is actually a lovely way to show how sadness can be accepted, understood and lived with. Often people say that they visualise their sadness as a person or figure and this books is reflective of that, this girl’s sadness takes the form of a green blob-like creature that she acknowledges and accepts.
The story starts even before the words are there to tell you what’s happening, sadness turns ...more
The story starts even before the words are there to tell you what’s happening, sadness turns ...more
My first reading of this book was an unfair, slightly negative one that hooked upon the understanding that I had only recently read the perfectly executed Me And My Fear by Francesca Sanna. Both books use the same concept of a personified, rotund feeling following around the main protagonist until they learn to accept its place in their lives. But a break from Eland's book and an acknowledgement of the similarities allowed me to see that the messages, style and approach are very different and
...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
