The Tunnel is a book that sits with you. Yes, something bad happens (perhaps death?) but what is more remarkable is the way the book uses illustration and "just the right amount" of text to deal with both grief and depression. I believe this book provides an excellent way to start discussions about very important topics with very young people.

What a sensitive portrayal of loss for young readers having to cope with such a delicate situation.
The book is written in such a sparing, minimal way that seems to encompass the complex emotions of the little boy in the story. The specific loss is not mentioned but it is obviously one in which the main character needs time and isolation on his own to cope. The inspiring message of returning to safety yet knowing there is also an escape is reassuring.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This book is hauntingly good. The (primarily) black and white illustrations set the tone. It is hard for kids to process feelings, especially feelings like grief. This book could either allow a child to start a conversation, or, just as important, allow them to feel normal for NOT wanting to have the conversation yet.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4486126012

This was a wonderful story about a boy and his mom who are both dealing with a loss in their own ways. This book would be a great book for families dealing with loss to help children and parents start to work together to heal.

(will publish on February 11, 2022)
My Thoughts:
If you think of picture books as spoken work poems with the graphics supplying the mood and harmonies, then this book The Tunnel by Sarah Howden is a short riff of the blues in a late night club.

A boy in his room sits alone and holds his sadness in his body and a shovel in his hand. Despite loving women that try to talk to him, he needs to dig and dig and dig. Which he does.

This is a story about patience by adults to give children safe space to self heal.

Publication date:March 15, 2022 by Owlkids Books

From the Publisher:
A spare, powerful story about taking space to process difficult feelings

After something bad happens, a boy feels sad and gray. Mom and Aunt Cheryl try to talk about it, but he feels like running away. So he picks up a shovel and starts digging a tunnel from his room, deep down and into the backyard. Out there, far from the lights of the house, it’s dark enough that he could disappear. But the quiet distance also gives him the space he needs to see his family’s love and start returning home.

As he heads back, the journey upward is different. He notices familiar details and tunes into his senses. The tunnel isn’t so scary this time. The boy emerges into his room just as Mom peeks in. When she notices a twig in his hair, he is ready to talk about the tunnel and finds warmth in her gentle acknowledgment: “You came back.”

Quiet, emotionally resonant text is paired with grayscale drawings accented with red in this thoughtfully layered exploration of coping with tough emotions, and taking time and space to heal.

Such a sweet story of loss and finding yourself in the tunnel we dig. I just reviewed The Tunnel by Sarah Howden. #TheTunnel #NetGalley

The Tunnel is about a boy and his mom who have experienced an unidentified loss in their home. They are both trying to grieve in their own space, in their own way, yet also be considerate of the needs of the other. A sweet picture book that shows it's okay to deal with loss in the way that suits you, but to also remember your partners in grief in a way that very small children will understand.

This is an excellent, deliberately vague book about trauma, difficult feelings, and having the space to process those feelings even as a kid. It's such a great message, and the art complements it perfectly. I can't' wait to order these in for the 'issues' section of my store's children's area. It's definitely going to be a new go-to recommendation.

I really, really LOVED this book! This could be a good resource for a parent or councilor to share with a young student who may be dealing with grief. I will definitely purchase this for my library.

I received an electronic ARC from Owlkids Books through NetGalley.
The gray overtones in the illustrations capture the mood Howden sets. A young boy feels colorless after something bad happens. The actual event is kept vague so this can be shared after a variety of events. This child wants to escape the pain/sadness/loneliness and does so by digging a tunnel out into the yard. The journey feels strange and a bit creepy. He gets out in the yard and sees the moon. After seeing his mom in the window, he feels a need to go home instead of leaving. The journey back through the tunnel takes on a more relaxed and safe feel. Mom and he meet in his room and share together.
Wonderful book to encourage young readers to talk about their emotions following a shattering event. Families can use this as a springboard to dialogue.

Fantastic and truly well done. This picture book talk about how it might me useful and okay to isolated yourself sometime to process thing. Very unique and truly helpful!

This is a great way of looking at how children deal with family changes. And how even though we need a space of our own we can always come back to our family who will be there for us.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!