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When Sadness is at Your Door Hardcover – Illustrated, January 29, 2019

by Eva Eland (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 281 ratings
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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!
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  1. Reading age
    3 - 7 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 2
  5. Dimensions
    8.81 x 0.36 x 9.75 inches
  6. Publisher
    Random House Books for Young Readers
  7. Publication date
    January 29, 2019
  8. ISBN-10
    0525707182
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0525707189
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

children's picture book, death, cancer, parents dying,

From Inside When Sadness is at Your Door:

children's picture book, death, cancer, parents dying,

children's picture book, death, cancer, parents dying,

children's picture book, death, cancer, parents dying,

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—This gentle book portrays sadness as a large pale green visitor that appears at the door, suitcase in hand. "It follows you around…and sits so close to you, you can hardly breathe." The narrator advises the host—a small child—not to hide his sadness or be afraid. "Listen to it. Ask where it comes from and what it needs. If you don't understand each other, just sit together and be quiet for a while." Then, try doing something comforting together like drawing, listening to music, or drinking cocoa. And, just as it came, unexpectedly, one day it will be gone. By focusing on the feeling, rather than the circumstance, the book speaks to readers of all ages and backgrounds. The portrayal of the feeling as so much larger than the boy helps convey the overwhelming nature of the emotion. The front endpapers show people of different ages in sad, thoughtful poses with the green creature interspersed—laying down, crying, staring at the ground, etc. The back endpapers show "sadness" doing yoga, petting a cat, taking a bath, eating an ice cream, getting a hug…finding comfort where it can. The handwritten text and illustrative sketches are rendered in brown on cream paper with pale red and green accents. VERDICT This quiet book is both constructive and reassuring and recommended for any collection with a bibliotherapy section.—Barbara Auerbach, Cairo Public Library, NY

Review

"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

"Children will feel better, too, knowing they have a helpful, honest, and empathetic picture book ready for the next time Sadness shows up for a visit."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"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

"By focusing on the feeling, rather than the circumstance, the book speaks to readers of all ages and backgrounds." —School Library Journal
 
"…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
 

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Random House Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (January 29, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525707182
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525707189
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 7 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.81 x 0.36 x 9.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 281 ratings

About the authors

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  1. Random House

    Random House

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  2. Eva Eland

    Eva Eland

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    Eva Eland is a Dutch author, illustrator and artist who lives with her husband and baby girl in Amsterdam. She grew up in Delft, the Netherlands and studied writing and audiovisual design at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam, and film and video at the School of Visual Arts in New York. After working for several years in a bookshop and in childcare, she decided to pursue her dream and study the master children’s book illustration at the Cambridge School of Art in England, where she graduated with distinction in 2018.

    Her debut picture book When Sadness Comes to Call, published with Andersen Press and translated in over 20 languages, won the Klaus Flugge Prize 2020 for most promising and exciting newcomer to children’s picture book illustration and the V&A award in the book cover category. Her books have also been longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Award and shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards. Her second picture book is Where Happiness Begins.

    https://evaeland.com

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    https://www.facebook.com/evaelandillustration

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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
281 global ratings
One of the best books to talk about Sadness with children
5 Stars
One of the best books to talk about Sadness with children
This book is wonderful! It helps to start a conversation about how sadness is an okay emotion. Sometimes it's big and sometimes it's small. It helps to initiate conversations about how to respond to sadness. Very well illustrated. I love the simpleness, and how even the interior end sheets have beautiful artwork. The front of the book has Sadness and the people alone, while the back has Sadness interacting in healthy ways. So good!
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Top reviews from the United States

Anonymous M
5.0 out of 5 stars Love this sweet book
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2024
Verified Purchase
Great book to teach kids (and adults, ha!) about feelings.
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Alissa Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books to talk about Sadness with children
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
This book is wonderful! It helps to start a conversation about how sadness is an okay emotion. Sometimes it's big and sometimes it's small. It helps to initiate conversations about how to respond to sadness. Very well illustrated. I love the simpleness, and how even the interior end sheets have beautiful artwork. The front of the book has Sadness and the people alone, while the back has Sadness interacting in healthy ways. So good!
Customer image
Alissa Cooper
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books to talk about Sadness with children
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2021
This book is wonderful! It helps to start a conversation about how sadness is an okay emotion. Sometimes it's big and sometimes it's small. It helps to initiate conversations about how to respond to sadness. Very well illustrated. I love the simpleness, and how even the interior end sheets have beautiful artwork. The front of the book has Sadness and the people alone, while the back has Sadness interacting in healthy ways. So good!
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image
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2 people found this helpful
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Lindsay
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2020
Verified Purchase
Given a recent breakup to a serious relationship, and moving all my things home with family, along with an impending birthday (34), a cancelled trip to Europe due to a pandemic, and little hope of a refund, life seemed to be pretty sad all the time. During a zoom birthday party a coworker read this book to me (we both love children’s books and work at a school together). It cheered me up, and I had to buy a copy! I’ve read it to myself, and other family and friends who are struggling with feeling sad.
4 people found this helpful
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a reader
5.0 out of 5 stars A special book
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2020
Verified Purchase
the simple text and the illustrations (colors, shapes, spaces) create the feelings described in the book.
It is like poetry.
I told a person I loaned it to to keep it (they loved it too) and I purchased it again.
I read it to a friend over Zoom.
I read it to another friend 6' apart on driveway and they read it to a group of children.
It is a special book.
2 people found this helpful
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LMHC
5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful and gentle!
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
I got this book for my therapy practice and it has been a wonderful resource. I love the idea of sadness (or anxiety, or grief, etc.) as being a gentle but present thing that we need to attend to with kindness, rather than trying to will it away or overpower it. Illustrations are lovely as well.
6 people found this helpful
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Tess Alfonsin
4.0 out of 5 stars Mental Health Must Have
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2019
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, right?
.
WHEN SADNESS IS AT YOUR DOOR gives easy entry (ugh, sorry...I know...) for our kids experiencing a crisis to begin talking about that blue blob that’s always lingering, never far away, yet sometimes gloriously absent, too.
.
The artwork is divine: simple AND effective. The message? This guy isn’t scary, kiddies. Let’s name him. Feel comfortable with him being around for a bit. Then we can move on-with AND without that adorable blue blob.
.
I wish I’d had this title when our oldest was struggling with the death of his brother.
Customer image
Tess Alfonsin
4.0 out of 5 stars Mental Health Must Have
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2019
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, right?
.
WHEN SADNESS IS AT YOUR DOOR gives easy entry (ugh, sorry...I know...) for our kids experiencing a crisis to begin talking about that blue blob that’s always lingering, never far away, yet sometimes gloriously absent, too.
.
The artwork is divine: simple AND effective. The message? This guy isn’t scary, kiddies. Let’s name him. Feel comfortable with him being around for a bit. Then we can move on-with AND without that adorable blue blob.
.
I wish I’d had this title when our oldest was struggling with the death of his brother.
Images in this review
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7 people found this helpful
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Melissa McCart
5.0 out of 5 stars Better for After Sad Event Occurs
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
Very cute book, but more for when sadness is occurring. I purchased to discuss death with my daughter before it happens, but it would be better to use for after the death in the family
2 people found this helpful
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Katherine
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2019
Verified Purchase
This is such a simple yet beautiful book. My 3 year old son appreciates it, and asks me to read it to him. It is such a peaceful reflection on sadness and coping with its difficulties. So wonderful. I highly recommend it, and I hope to see more from this author.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

CounselorMom
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book- not just for children!
Reviewed in Canada on October 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
I love how the simple message and beautiful images in this book invite readers big and small to make room for this essential feeling we are often too quick to distance ourselves (and our children) from. The book invites us to open ourselves to sadness, without a lecture, without judgement. I highly recommend this book for families with young children, counsellors, or adults.
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Alison H.
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story
Reviewed in Canada on March 22, 2019
Verified Purchase
A beautiful, easy read that leaves from for discussion and communication with people of any age about how they are feeling.
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