A gentle, comforting story about sadness and the simple things children can do to navigate and work through this confusing, sometimes scary, emotion.

Sammy has lots of unhappy thoughts, and he’s not sure why. Instead of playing and laughing, he just feels different inside. He wears a frown, and he keeps his eyes cast down. Together, the boys explore more ways to lift Sammy’s spirits. They do creative activities like writing and drawing. They think about fun things and happy memories. They take a moment and do slow, deep breaths, and they spend time enjoying the great outdoors. Step by step, and with his friend’s help, Sammy is able to find a way to turn his sadness into smiles.

Debut author Carol Miller uses rhyme and vivid illustrations to remind young readers it is okay to feel sad, while also revealing the healthy steps kids can take to improve their mood, including deep breathing, writing and drawing, and exercising. Sammy’s Sad Day is more than one child’s journey through sadness; it is a story of friendship, empathy, and the power of emotional resilience.

A special page for parents and educators features additional tips and strategies to help kids deal with challenging and difficult emotions.