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The Boy Who Didn't Want to Be Sad
There once was a boy who didn't want to be sad. So he made a decision. He made a plan.
The plan was to get rid of everything that made him sad. but what he found out when he tried to get rid of sadness was a very, very big lesson in happiness. This book helps children face and even celebrate their emotions, even the uncomfortable ones, as parts of the whole experience of being alive. "Happiness is a skill we can teach our children and ourselves, and it's easier than we think," says Rob Goldblatt, PsyD, who offers his first lesson in happiness with this book.
Includes a Note to Parents.
The plan was to get rid of everything that made him sad. but what he found out when he tried to get rid of sadness was a very, very big lesson in happiness. This book helps children face and even celebrate their emotions, even the uncomfortable ones, as parts of the whole experience of being alive. "Happiness is a skill we can teach our children and ourselves, and it's easier than we think," says Rob Goldblatt, PsyD, who offers his first lesson in happiness with this book.
Includes a Note to Parents.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 26, 2012
A young boy does not want to feel sad so he pushes away everything that makes him sad...a tree, his parents, pets, blocks, etc. Eventually he is alone, surrounded by blackness. It doesn't take long before he realizes that the things that make him sad also make him happy.
The text is written in verse, some words/phrases are emphasized in bold to express the feelings of the boy. The illustrations are somewhat expressive but the message of the text is the highlight of the book. Excellent book to read with everyone!
The text is written in verse, some words/phrases are emphasized in bold to express the feelings of the boy. The illustrations are somewhat expressive but the message of the text is the highlight of the book. Excellent book to read with everyone!
June 26, 2018
If this book was well written, I would give it an emphatic 5 stars. The message is excellent and at a level children will have no problem understanding and applying. It captures not only feeling of sadness and the fear of loss it touches on a bigger theme - the fear of having feelings that are too strong & the false belief that we (both children & adults) can protect ourselves from the world.
November 2, 2022
Interesting story about a boy who looks at life in a different way. He considers how everything makes him feel and must decide how much he can handle before he can let go of each thing. It is an interesting way to think about things and kids may find it a good reset for their emotions. Recommended for Grades K-5. Great for discussions.
June 11, 2017
deals with depression well
September 4, 2021
It is very possible that the things in life that make you sad can also make you mad, or even happy.
September 19, 2022
This is for older kiddos. Some of the language is a little too advanced for younger kids which is unfortunate.
May 2, 2008
A fabulous book and rare find. A little boy doesn't want to be sad and so he wishes away everything in his life that could potentially make him sad, until there is nothing left and then realizes the big lesson... the one we're probably all still learning... that wrapped up in the things that can make us sad are the things that also make us happy and vice versa. The trick is learning to appreciate it all, or at least not being afraid of it. If we could give this one 10 stars, we would -- just for the message alone.
November 17, 2022
I thought this was a good book overall, but I do think it can use some improvements. The illustrator used a lot of dark color in their art, so it was hard to read the text at times. I thought it did a good job of taking common childhood problems and creating a story of it, and it had a good message overall.
(Realistic fiction picture book)
(Realistic fiction picture book)
September 21, 2015
wonderful book to help children deal with sadness. the message is similar to the movie "inside out" but predates it. it also is more empowering because it's the boy taking action and learning and not something separate from himself.
January 2, 2016
• Gelezen in het Engels.
• E-book.
• 3.0/5
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• E-book.
• 3.0/5
~~~
December 10, 2012
The audience is limited for this but in the right situation, it's an excellent choice.
October 29, 2016
Excellent for my kids, 4 and 6. And for me. And excellent perspective on emotions and our defenses.
December 27, 2017
Probably a pretty niche audience, but that doesn't make it any less of a book. It's a really good book for addressing emotions, and especially depression, and how we deal with these issues.
Might not read it in a storytime, but it would be a good one to have available at a storytime on feelings (a supplemental storytime book).
Might not read it in a storytime, but it would be a good one to have available at a storytime on feelings (a supplemental storytime book).
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews