- Hardcover: 32 pages
- Publisher: Candlewick Press,U.S.; Library Binding edition (1 Mar 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0763625973
- ISBN-13: 978-0763625979
- Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 1.1 x 30.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 850,592 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Review
"* "... a masterpiece, beautifully judged, a book of honest grace." Observer * "An outstanding book, head and shoulders over anything else, for any age." Guardian"
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
A heartbreakingly honest account of a father’s grief for his son from the illustrious pairing of two former Children’s Laureates.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
111 of 111 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
It took me a couple of reads to realise just how much Blake's illustrations added to the spare, bold text. It was as if Rosen, in his grief, had left some things unsaid and Blake had picked up on this and helped out. I've always liked his illustrations but this book brings out a different side of him - more expressionist - his figures and landscapes (some beautifully economical use of watercolour)seem to bypass the brain and go straight to the solar plexus.
Some people are worried that the bald realism of this book is too much for younger children. But what about those who've already lost someone close to them? Surely they need help in visualising their experience. Ever since my daughter died I've been trying to find ways of telling my autistic son about her. I said all the usual stuff, but he became inconsolable and cried as if heartbroken. I've left it alone for months and then suddenly found this book. I knew it would be perfect for him, as he has SUCH a visual intelligence. It was. He asked me to read it again and again and pointed out aspects of the pictures that I had failed to notice.
My other daughter is a little wary of it, but I feel it will reach her in time.
If you want to help someone deal with loss, please don't be afraid of this book.
Some people are worried that the bald realism of this book is too much for younger children. But what about those who've already lost someone close to them? Surely they need help in visualising their experience. Ever since my daughter died I've been trying to find ways of telling my autistic son about her. I said all the usual stuff, but he became inconsolable and cried as if heartbroken. I've left it alone for months and then suddenly found this book. I knew it would be perfect for him, as he has SUCH a visual intelligence. It was. He asked me to read it again and again and pointed out aspects of the pictures that I had failed to notice.
My other daughter is a little wary of it, but I feel it will reach her in time.
If you want to help someone deal with loss, please don't be afraid of this book.
72 of 72 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Michael Rosens Sad Book is an astonishing achievement.
Poignant, saddening and thought provoking, though do not be fooled, this is not just a childs picture books.
Even the most toughened of adults would find it nigh-on impossible to muster anyhing other than a tear.
Michael Rosen lost his son, Eddie, to meningitis when he was just 19. After the collapse of his marriage, Michael Rosen perhaps lost for a while his familiar cheery side of his other incredible poetry books.
Having met the man myself, I can confirm that despite his setbacks this man is a super guy and has more warmth and softness than anyone else I have ever met.
Poignant, saddening and thought provoking, though do not be fooled, this is not just a childs picture books.
Even the most toughened of adults would find it nigh-on impossible to muster anyhing other than a tear.
Michael Rosen lost his son, Eddie, to meningitis when he was just 19. After the collapse of his marriage, Michael Rosen perhaps lost for a while his familiar cheery side of his other incredible poetry books.
Having met the man myself, I can confirm that despite his setbacks this man is a super guy and has more warmth and softness than anyone else I have ever met.
Sad Book is simply put unlike anything you will ever read. Do not be put off by it being about saddness and depression. As he puts it himself, he is not bad, but sad.
You will not regret this amazingly honest and open book.
59 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a sad book, a very sad book. It is aptly titled. Yes, it's unlike the majority of books intended for young readers. There aren't any rhymes or happy endings. It's a story, more of a journal really about the way Michael Rosen is trying to cope with the death of his son, Eddie.
Why give a sad book to children? Because there are times when we are sad, life is sad. However, this book is also about love and how very much Rosen loved his son. It's also a book about possibilities. All the things you can do when your life seems bleak. Maybe we can't be too young to learn these lessons.
Rosen talks about trying to look happy because he thinks people won't like him if he looks sad, and he mentions trying to do one thing he can be proud of every day. Then, when he goes to bed he tries to think about that rather than the fact that Eddie is no longer with him. He doesn't sidestep the anger he feels at Eddie's death or the memories that flood his mind.
Quentin Blake has won numerous awards for his illustrations, deservedly so. He illustrates this book not just with watercolor and ink but also with empathetic awareness.
This is a very honest book that cannot fail to touch hearts, and it may perhaps teach young ones to be kind and relish every day.
- Gail Cooke
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Book review
This story is about a sad man. He is sad because his son called Edie sadly died. Whenever he is sad he turns the city sad by turning the city dark and the clouds black and by... Read more
Published 17 days ago by A child in the Eagles class
Bereavement
This short book is a masterpiece.It is so helpful when facing all the conflicting emotions of bereavement. And the illustrations by Quentin Blake just add a great deal. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Good living
Beautiful
This book is a delight. Beautifully illustrated. The book is Simple,subtle and yet able to get a powerful message across. Just perfect for what was needed.
Published 3 months ago by Mr Mrs Angel
Beautiful
This is a stunning book and a great achievement for the author and illustrator. It is so neat and well conceived - I love everything about it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sopranomonkey
A most moving and thought provoking book
Ths is a most moving and thought provoking book. I bought it to use with a class of 9, 10 and 11 year olds but found myself profoundly affected. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Clarity
Lovely Book
Excellent at developing adult characters - just like the adults in real children's lives, and I've seen how it helps them make sense of the world around them. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Michael Maguire
a sad love poem with pictures that vibrate like a song
I found it dark ,hard to read, but it is for all, thinking around loss and grief. It is raw ,open, simplistic but so deep. Read more
Published 7 months ago by bigben
Michael Rosen's SAD BOOK
This is a very simple story of a man who loves his son. The illustrations in are superb, full of joy and loving detail. It made me laugh and cry. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Bobby MacLaughlin
Michael Rosen's Sad Book.
This is a most wonderful little book. Very moving and very helpful for those of us struggling with grief. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Mrs. Elizabeth M. Synge
A story from the heart!
This book touched my heart, it made me cry and made me smile and cry again.
It tells a story of a loss and how to cope with it and in ever so simple way explains how it... Read more
It tells a story of a loss and how to cope with it and in ever so simple way explains how it... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Dona Rendell
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