Michael Rosen's Sad Book by Michael Rosen and Quentin Blake

Rosen, Michael- author, & Blake, Quentin - illustrator (2005). Michael Rosen's Sad Book. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick Press. ISBN: 0-7636-2597-3

Annotation

Illustrated biographical book about the author’s sadness after his mother and son pass away.

My thoughts

This is a sad book. It opens with the author’s confession, “This is me being sad. Maybe you think that I’m happy in this picture. Really I’m sad but pretending I’m happy. I’m doing that because I think people won’t like me if I look sad.” Above is the said picture of a sad man smiling but obviously not in synch. Quentin Blake’s illustrations capture the emotional underside of the story. They break down this huge cloud-bursting tear provoking concept in a way that younger readers can see and empathize with. Watercolors are leached from scenes to give in a four-sectioned page spread as the cartooned figure of Rosen walks along a street. What begins in a reality based ordinary spring or summerlike day with green trees, birds flying, children playing, and a mother pushing a stroller turns progresses into a dark stormy day where Rosen is left as the only figure walking on a barren street with decrepit buildings and a now leafless tree. This reflects the interior psychological shift, of coping and dealing with such loss, in a very easily understandable and relatable way.

In addition, Quentin Blake’s illustrations have an associated history with younger readers. These illustrated cartoon figures are very like the much-loved Ronald Dahl characters that Quentin Blake illustrated. This can make the book along with the heavy concept of loss and sadness more understandable.

The process of grief and loss hits all ages, because of this reason Sad Book can be good for any age. In fact, the opening page of Rosen's grin was a learning lesson for me. It's easy to forget such simple things. I know that it isn't healthy to fake happiness, but either is projecting negative emotions onto those around us. Recently, I've forgotten to smile to strangers. It's pretty simple... mechanics wise. Corners up. It's just easy to get caught up in one's own world. For me, I've have a rough couple of weeks. One of my cats passed away from FIP (it's like cat AIDS over here) the second to die of three of my Singaporean family. And, we've been developing a stronger immune system (i.e. we've been catching all of the stomach flus and respiratory colds of this region). And, the company husband is with has been "acquired" which means restructuring and possible restructuring our lives. I am sad about my cat. Everything else will work out as long as I try to find those moments, the things, that spark... like Michael Rosen's candles.

Quotes:

“Where is sad? Sad is anywhere. It comes along and finds you. When is sad? Sad is any time. It comes along and finds you. Who is sad? Sad is anyone. It comes along and finds you.”

Literary devices

Use of metaphor:

Sometimes I'm sad and I don’t know why.

It's just a cloud that comes along and covers me up.

Reading level/ Interest Age

Kindergarten and up.


Of course, there is a balance. 

Reviews and Awards

SLJ starred review

Booklist starred review

Author website: www.michaelrosen.co.uk/

Ilustrator website: www.quentinblake.com/

Media: Watercolor and ink

Genre: Juvenile picture book