Book of the Week--Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael Rosen, illus. by Quentin Blake
RSSFrom SLJ March 2005 (Starred Review)
Maryann H. Owen, Racine (WI) Public Library -- School Library Journal, 02/21/2005
ROSEN, Michael. Michael Rosen's Sad Book. illus. by Quentin Blake. unpaged. CIP. Candlewick. Mar. 2005. RTE $16.99. ISBN 0-7636-2597-3. LC 2004045787.
Gr 3 Up-This is a personal and moving account of the author's experiences with grief over the loss of his son and mother and various ways of dealing with the melancholy that attends it. "Sometimes sad is very big. It's everywhere. All over me." The gentle text assures readers that despair, anger, and hopelessness are common feelings when dealing with death, but that memories of happier times can elicit a spark of joy and optimism for the future. "And then I remember things. My mum in the rain. Eddie walking along the street, laughing and laughing and laughing." Blake's evocative watercolor-and-ink illustrations use shades of gray for the pictures where sadness has taken hold but brighten with color at the memory of happy times. This story is practical and universal and will be of comfort to those who are working through their bereavement. A brilliant and distinguished collaboration.
