Each day in December, we’ll be highlighting books for grief that offer a range of approaches, topics, and perspectives to support your journey. Let’s navigate this season together, one meaningful step at a time.
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Sad Book
By Michael Rosen
Rosen’s matter of fact ‘Sad Book’ (2004) is borne out of his son – Eddie’s – death from meningitis at 18. The text encapsulates how utterly changed you are after experiencing a death, especially that of a child.
The juxtaposition of words and images sum up just how complex grief is. “This is me being sad,” the text begins beneath a Quentin Blake illustration of Rosen grinning). A must read for children and adults alike.
Featured Amazon review…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A book to return to
“As the title suggest, it’s a ‘sad book’, but it’s more than that. There’s a light touch to it, even humorous in parts. It could help with articulating the difficult thoughts and the many, sometimes, conflicting, emotions that come with grief. On some days, those who are grieving choose to put on a not-sad face and to avoid talk of it. It’s a book to return to from time to time – I expect that different parts of it will resonate on different days.”
Amazon customers say…
Customers describe the emotional content as deeply poignant and heartfelt, capturing the experience of grief with perfect sensitivity. The beautiful illustrations receive high praise, complementing the book’s simple yet powerful language. Readers often call it sad, heartbreaking, and touching, noting its ability to gently convey that sadness is a natural part of life. Many highlight its usefulness in helping children understand their emotions, while others emphasize its universal appeal, making it a valuable resource for all ages.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
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