With unmitigated honesty, a touch of humor, and sensitive illustrations by Quentin Blake, Michael Rosen explores the experience of sadness in a way that resonates with everyone. “Sometimes I’m sad and I don’t know why. It’s just a cloud that comes along and covers me up. Sad things happen to everyone, and sometimes people feel sad for no reason at all.” What makes Michael Rosen sad is thinking about his son, Eddie, who died suddenly at the age of eighteen. In this book the author writes about his sadness, how it affects him, and some of the things he does to cope with it—like telling himself that everyone has sad stuff (not just him) and trying every day to do something he can be proud of. Expressively illustrated by the extraordinary Quentin Blake, this is a very personal story that speaks to everyone, from children to parents to grandparents, teachers to grief counselors. Whether or not you have known what it’s like to feel deeply sad, the truth of this book will surely touch you.

Boston Globe-Horn Book Honors

Related: England (UK), Intermediate (ages 9-14), Nonfiction, Primary (ages 6-9)

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• ISBN: 9780763625979
• Author: Rosen, Michael
• Illustrator: Blake, Quentin
• Published: 2005, Candlewick
• Themes: Death, Family, Honesty, Humor, personal growth, Sadness
• Descriptors: England (UK), Intermediate (ages 9-14), Nonfiction, Primary (ages 6-9)
• No. of pages: 32