When Sadness is at Your Door By Eva Eland
About:
Title: When Sadness is at Your Door
Author: Eva Eland
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Reading Age/Grade Level: 3 - 7 years
Summary:
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!
What our Vetting Team has to Say:
“This book is a good family resource for children 2 and older, caregivers and teachers of young children who need help with emotional regulation.”
“I like that it normalizes sadness as a part of the human condition. It also expresses that sadness is temporary, and encourages people to not despair.”
”It is a brief yet empathic way of thinking about sadness.”
