This is an extremely simple yet educative book. I loved the fact that the writer discussed a topic that most of the teenagers are struggling with today - Depression. I love the small journal prompts in the book that would encourage the young minds to cope up with their mental health. All the lists of the positive affirmations and the list of activities to do to deal with depression are an icing on the cake.
Thank you netgalley for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review.

First off, the tips for parents and educators page is just phenomenal, followed by a resource to get help for kids. This is what is needed!

Sometimes as parents and guides to children, we don't know how to help them. We know what we experienced as kids and we know what we don't want, but we are scared to act. I thought that right out of the gate, that this was fantastic advice.

Not only does this book follow the narrative of a boy in fourth grade, it also has reader involvement and is also a workbook!

The wording is straightforward, and digestible for a grade school aged child. The scenarios inside are relatable and realistic.

This book demonstrates how one issues can lead to more and it is quite true. The original issue gets buried.

I cannot stress enough how amazing the workbook section of this is. Its really relevant because they also have a "circle the emoji" section so kids can see and express even if they don't have the words. They even have a whole list of what the feelings are called associated with the emoji.

This book would assist anyone in determining their reason for their sadness and how to work through those feelings.

As someone who has a history in education and with a kid who deals with sadness and anxiety, this book intrigued me. I think I missed what the age focus is for this book because some of the verbiage was a little advanced for elementary school age-- especially primary ages. But I did very much enjoy the interactive aspects where kids wouldn't just be read to or read it the words, but encourages the child to look within in various methods. My favorite part was reading how to help them change their wording and mindset when talking about themselves.

What an amazing book to talk about positive self-talk, kindness, emotions, and coping strategies when feeling sad. The story itself is an accurate representation of what some children face in school, and the activities that go along with the book are well thought out and allow readers to reflect on their own emotions. As a teacher, this book can be used in health classes from grades K-8 to promote positive language use, as well as how to cope with negative emotions, how to be kind to one another, and how to help someone who may seem sad.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

Love the tips page for educators and parents in addition to social workers, foster families, child psychologist and many more. It allows kids a way to express themselves by writing down their feeling and thoughts.

This is an amazing resource that also talks about negative self talk and advocating for yourself.. It also teaches coping skills and has 99 listed coping skills that kids can use.

#ManagingSadness #NetGalley
I loved this book! I know for sure that this will be incredibly useful to so many kids. I thought that this book was written and framed perfectly, and it was very age-appropriate. Personally, I think that all kids should read this in order to develop empathy skills for others AND themselves. The lessons this book teaches are wildly important.
It was amazing how the author flawlessly combined self-reflection and coping activities and a relevant story to really make sure that it is easy to read and understand for the intended age group. The worksheets that were incorporated into the book were actually impactful. The questions weren't too difficult, but weren't too easy either. It really gets kids to ponder the questions on a different level. It's perfect that these worksheets are in the book because then kids can reference their answers and/or the story with greater ease. I also liked the notes for educators and parents at the beginning, and I believe that teachers and parents should definitely consider reading this book with kids.

The basic tale is of a fourth grader who is experiencing worsening sadness due to bullying, feelings of inadequacy/being singled out by others. There are downloadable worksheets and handouts as parents learn to intervene before the sadness overwhelms. Parents help with coping strategies, teach/reinforce/reward and thing that are empowering, documenting hope and to get counseling if needed. This is a workbook for both parents and the beleaguered student.
The illustrations by Lisa M. Griffin are clear, imaginative, colorful, and meaningful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school or your local public library.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Boys Town Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
Available 28 May 2024

Let me get straight into it, I love a lot of the messages and question prompts in this book. The artwork is nice but doesn't detract from the focus on the self-help writing elements. A criticism I do have is they give the fantasy world idea of that all parents and counselors are good hearted, well guided people. I wish the author added a section about how sometimes if you go to an adult and they are not able to help or give you proper guidance or support, that is okay you are still valid and you can find another better adult to help you. I could expound on that, but I don't want to inspire your next book. Anyway, the no send letter and 101 positive things to say to myself sections were particularly good. A method for the children to vent their feelings without having to actually send them to whoever or whatever they letter is for is great. The 101 positive things are just very wholesome and useful to read through for any person because it encourages retraining your mind to not have that negative self talk be so forefront. I gave a 4/5 star rating as I felt it was fair. It wasn't perfect and could have added more things to a child who's trying to manage sadness' arsenal.

I would put this on the middle grade book and last children’s, because I think it talks about a lot of mental health problems and why you can be sort of managing how to be sad, but in a very light and easy to understand way.

I dont know how I feel about the content or even if I agree with it but overall the writing was okay & I liked the pictures.

As the mom of a pre-teen, this book is invaluable and the fact that this was more like a workbook for the child, where they could work through it like a diary, was perfection.

Because even as an adult, I have also felt the way Kyle has. And the questions that are asked on each page, could make for great bonding and understanding between adult/parent/guardian and the child. The book goes through the motions of how Kyle ended up going from "normal sadness" to depression and the events that took place. Including, what he stopped doing to groom or pass school.

I appreciate the rawness and honesty in this book, that helps younger people find the necessary words to express their emotions. But that it also shows them that even though they are young, their emotional and mental health and wellbeing matter.

This is a book I would recommend to ANYONE that has children or works with/interacts with them on a regular/routine basis.


I volunteered to read a copy of this ARC through NetGalley

An essential tool in helping your children to think and talk about their feelings. In an interactive format, this encourages the reader to express how they would react in emotionally vulnerable situations. It encourages to speak up about ones feelings and is a guide on how to cope and where to seek help from. Very informative and helpful.

4.5/5 Rounding up to 5 stars! Thank you, NetGalley, Boys Town Press Publishing | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and Members' Titles for eARC of Managing Sadness by Bryan Smith.

When it comes to talking about feelings, I would def prefer physical books instead of ebooks. This is a wonderful book to read repetitively for my boys. I want to make sure that there are ways to regulate and feel their feelings. My youngest is still struggling with expressing his feelings and is unable to communicate them clearly.

The last few pages of this book are some great tips. I'll be on the lookout for this book on publishing date!

Managing Sadness, written by Bryan Smith, is a fictional book written for elementary school aged students. This books main character is Kyle, who struggles with being bullied at school, and when he experiences a loss, he just can’t seem to come back to who he is. Luckily Kyle is able to find some help in some classmates who are looking out for him, his parents, and his school social worker.
I feel that this is a great resource and book for children. The book also includes self care and positive self talk ideas, and can be used as a workbook for the reader as well. Definitely recommend!

Managing Sadness by Bryan Smith is a wonderful book if you are looking to help your child with bullying and/or depression. The worksheets that are included in the book are extremely educational and helpful for both parents and kids. I really loved the positive things you can say to yourself. If your child is struggling with their emotions, not just sadness, you should check out this book and the sheets that come with it you help you guide your child through all of their new emotions.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

A cute and clever book for children who are experiencing sadness, regardless of reason (in this book, the main character is bullied).

Nice advice, photos and information for young people. Five stars from this enthusiastic reader (wish we had books like this when I was a kid).

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC copy of Managing Sadness by Bryan Smith.

This was a great story/toolkit to review with my 8 year old foster child. I wish all schools had a Mrs. Bell!

The prompts are thought provoking for young children without seeming corny or over the top.

My kiddo enjoyed seeing Kyle work through similar feelings and see that things can get better.

This book is about a 4th grade boy named Kyle and what made him sad. The boys he hung out with at recess made fun of him. His pet died. He began to wonder if anyone actually cared, then he started to care less about himself.

I love the actionable steps and the interactive questions and activities. I love that they showed it takes time. I appreciate the author showing the kids responding negatively to Kyle when he told them how he felt.

Unfortunately, not every school counselor is like Mrs. Bell. This book said the kids teased him or made fun of him, but does not use the word bully. Perhaps the author saw the word “bully” or “bullying” as a trigger word. Or perhaps the author did not view what the kids did as bullying. This book does not show the reality that some kids face that the first adult they talk to does not help. Sometimes kids have to talk to multiple adults before they get the help they need and deserve.

I received a free advanced copy though NetGalley and this is my honest and unbiased review.

Managing Sadness: A story and activities to empower children (Paperback)
by Bryan Smith
Social emotional learning resource.
This book shows a sample story of multiple causes of depression in children's lives. From bully proofing, to grief. The book has pages of questions and activities for children. The story has a lesson plan system, allowing the children to build their own journal to help with these difficulties.

I would recommend this book as a printed paperback instead of ebook. There are parts where you have to write how you feel and reflect which is wonderful for my boys. Feelings are hard to share and this is nice format for reflections on how you feel. I definitely will be purchasing this book for my kids.