Uses a story format to introduce young children to the concept of feeling sad. Includes suggestions for activites and notes for parents and teachers. Suggested level: junior.

This friendly picture book helps young children make sense of mixed-up emotions. Happy, and also sad. Excited, but nervous too. Feeling friendly, with a little shyness mixed in. Mixed feelings are natural, but they can be confusing. There are different kinds of happy—the quiet kind and the “noisy, giggly, jump and run” kind. And there are conflicting feelings, like proud and jealous, frustrated and determined. With gentle messaging and charming illustrations, a little girl talks about her many layered feelings, ultimately concluding, “When I have more than one feeling inside me, I don’t have to choose just one. I know that all my feelings are okay at the same time.” A special section for adults presents ideas for helping children explore their emotions, build a vocabulary of feeling words, know what to do if they feel overwhelmed, and more.

Most of us have bouts of unexplained sadness. Just because we feel sad doesn't mean something is wrong. It may be a time to reassess our goals, to have some down time. It may signal a time of transition, a shift in our identity. The Uses of Sadness helps us understand the nuances of sadness, and how it differs from depression. Sadness helps us access a deeper part of ourselves. As we then become a little bigger, wiser and more compassionate than we were, our lives are enriched and we in turn enrich the lives of others.

Sometimes I feel sad. Sometimes it's because I've lost something. Or because I'm hurt. Other times I don't know why I feel sad. I just do. Feeling sad is, unfortunately, a part of everyone's life, and there's not always an easy fix. This touching book helps explain to children aged 5-11 that they're not alone in feeling this way, and is especially useful for children who struggle to express their feelings.

Sadness happens. Let's help kids cope with it. Children aren't always prepared for the emotions that overcome them. Adults aren't either. Kappy is a regular little kid who feels a variety of emotions all day long. Sometimes she feels happy and glad, sometimes she feels blue and sad. Talking with her Dad about her feelings helps her understand her feelings and gives her ideas for things she can try when some days are blue. Parents appreciate the opportunity to talk with their children about happiness and sadness. It honors emotions while problem-solving how to perk up when feeling sad. Please note: if you suspect your child suffers from depression, please seek help! The National Alliance for Mental Illness can be reached at www.nami.org

Named one of the Best Books of the Summer by Lit Hub, The Millions, Refinery29, and Hey Alma. “Hilarious, wise, wicked, and tender.” —Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, The New York Times–bestselling author of The Nest Janet works at a rundown dog shelter in the woods. She wears black, loves The Smiths, and can’t wait to get rid of her passive-aggressive boyfriend. Her brain is full of anxiety, like “one of those closets you never want to open because everything will fall out and crush you.” She has a meddlesome family, eccentric coworkers, one old friend who’s left her for Ibiza, and one new friend who’s really just a neighbor she sees in the hallway. Most of all, Janet has her sadness—a comfortable cloak she uses to insulate herself from the oppressions of the wider world. That is, until one fateful summer when word spreads about a new pill that offers even cynics like her a short-term taste of happiness . . . .just long enough to make it through the holidays without wanting to stab someone with a candy cane. When her family stages an intervention, her boyfriend leaves, and the prospect of making it through Christmas alone seems like too much, Janet decides to give them what they want. What follows is life-changing for all concerned—in ways no one quite expects. Hilarious, bitterly wise, and surprisingly warm, Sad Janet is the depression comedy you never knew you needed.

A girl, a potato, and a very sad flamingo star in this charming sequel to I’m Bored by New York Times bestselling author and comedian Michael Ian Black and celebrated illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi. Everyone feels sad sometimes—even flamingos. Sigh. When Flamingo announces he’s feeling down, the little girl and Potato try to cheer him up, but nothing seems to work. Not even dirt! (Which usually works for Potato.) Flamingo learns that he will not always feel this way. And his friends learn that sometimes being a friend means you don’t have to cheer someone up. You just have to stick by your pal no matter how they feel. Even if they’re a potato.