When Sadness Is at Your Door - by Eva Eland (Hardcover)

About the Book

In the style of "Harold and the Purple Crayon" comes a picture-book primer in emotional literacy and mindfulness that suggests readers approach the feeling of sadness as if it is their guest. Full color.

Book Synopsis

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!

Review Quotes

"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

About the Author

EVA ELAND Eva Eland is a Dutch author and illustrator who lives in the UK. She earned an MA with distinction in children's book illustration from the prestigious Cambridge School of Art, and has also studied at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy and the School of Visual Arts in New York. When Sadness is at Your Door is her first picture book. Eva grew up in Delft, Netherlands, and now lives in Cambridge, UK with her fiancé.
Visit her @evaeland.com, and follow her on Instagram and Twitter at @evaeland.