Michael Rosen’s Sad Book By Michael Rosen

This picture book was written by celebrated British children’s author Michael Rosen and illustrated by Quentin Blake in 2004. Both Rosen and Blake are former Children’s Laureates. The book was inspired by the death of Rosen’s son, Eddie, who died of meningitis at age 18. In a forthright and gentle way, the book explores Rosen’s experience of sadness and his efforts to “figure out ways of being sad that don’t hurt so much.” This book is appropriate for all ages.

RECOMMENDED BY

• American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

• Reading Well — UK Books on Prescription

• UK BookTrust

• Reading Well for Children

• Popova, M. (2018, October 10). Michael Rosen’s Sad Book: A Beautiful Anatomy of Loss, Illustrated by Quentin Blake. Brain Pickings. https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/08/25/michael-rosens-sad-book-quentin-blake/