A Shelter for Sadness

A little boy builds a shelter for his Sadness which has come to stay. Here, it has room to be however it needs to be. He gives it the space it needs , visiting when it calls to him , acknowledging its presence, but not always needing its company. He knows that one day, he and his Sadness will be ready to face the world together and enjoy its beauty.

This is such a beautiful book. Deeply poignant, it explores the importance of acknowledging sadness in all its forms and making space in our life for these feelings. The book was inspired by the words of Etty Hillesum, a Holocaust victim, who wrote:

'Give your sorrow all the space and shelter in yourself that is its due, for if everyone bears grief honestly and courageously, the sorrow that now fills the world will abate. But if you do instead reserve most of the space inside you for hatred and thoughts of revenge-from which new sorrows will be born for others-then sorrow will never cease in this world. And if you have given sorrow the space it demands, then you may truly say: life is beautiful and so rich.'

Esther 'Etty' Hillesum

The book offers a very reassuring starting point for discussions about these complex feelings and the many ways in which waves of sadness can catch you, recognising and validating these emotions. There is so much to share and explore on each page, which could easily lead to expressing personal feelings, perhaps through writing poetry, painting or keeping a diary.

David Litchfield’s illustrations capture these emotions beautifully, perfectly complementing Anne Booth’s gentle text. Heart-warming and powerful, this is a very special book.

‘A Shelter for Sadness’ is simply stunning, both in words and illustration. One to treasure!

A Shelter for Sadness

Anne Booth, illustrated by David Litchfield

Templar ISBN: 978-1787417212