All the Colours of Me: Picturing My Sadness: Knowing and showing my feelings through art

Picturing My Sadness is a unique and gentle art-therapy-based book that helps children come to terms with their sadness through creativity. It encourages children to become sadness artists by thinking about the colors, textures, and shapes that express the look and feel of sadness to them. The book also includes a guide for adults, a glossary of key terms, and further resources for supporting children's emotional health.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 32 pages
Publication date: 23 November 2023
Publisher: Hachette Children's Group

A captivating and compassionate art-therapy-based book designed to assist children in embracing and understanding their emotions, particularly sadness. Through the engaging and imaginative process of "sadness art-making," Picturing My Sadness empowers children to delve into their hearts and express their feelings in unique and creative ways.

The book encourages children to become "sadness artists," utilizing their remarkable minds to explore and convey their sorrow. Children are invited to contemplate the colors, textures, and shapes that evoke the essence of sadness within them. They are encouraged to reflect on how they behave when they experience sadness and how art can serve as a powerful medium for expressing their emotions when words may be challenging.

As the book concludes, children are provided with a collection of self-made resources, which they can revisit and utilize whenever they seek a reminder of their creative coping skills. These resources serve as a valuable tool for reinforcing their emotional well-being and promoting self-awareness.

Written by Art Psychotherapist and Mindfulness Practitioner, Anna Shepherd, the All the Colours of Me series is a thoughtfully crafted collection of books. Each book in the series addresses essential emotions experienced by children, employing safe and gentle creative engagement to facilitate their emotional development.

Within the pages of Picturing My Sadness, children will embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery. They will learn to listen to the whispers of sadness, recognizing its presence in their lives. They will explore the various shades of sadness, recognizing its multifaceted nature and understanding how it can manifest in different ways.

Children will also discover that sadness feels like a heavy weight on their hearts, a deep ache that can be difficult to comprehend. They will learn to embrace and accept their sadness, recognizing that it is a natural part of the human experience. Through art-making, children will have the opportunity to express their sadness in a cathartic and therapeutic manner, helping them release pent-up emotions and find solace.

Furthermore, the book delves into the visual aspects of sadness. Children will learn to observe and describe the colors, textures, and shapes that evoke feelings of sadness within them. They will explore the different shades of gray, blue, and black that can symbolize melancholy and grief. By engaging with these visual elements, children will develop a deeper understanding of their emotions and gain valuable tools for self-expression.

In addition to exploring sadness, Picturing My Sadness encourages children to speak about their emotions. The book provides a safe and supportive environment for children to express their thoughts and feelings about sadness. It encourages them to recognize the importance of communication and self-expression, teaching them that it is okay to share their emotions with others.

However, it is important to note that sadness is a complex emotion that can be challenging to navigate. The book acknowledges that sometimes, despite our best efforts, we may feel unable to fully control or overcome our sadness. It offers gentle guidance and practical strategies for managing sadness, such as practicing mindfulness, engaging in self-care activities, and seeking support from loved ones.

Throughout the book, there are helpful glossaries of key terms and further resources for supporting children's emotional health. The guide for adults provides valuable insights and strategies for assisting children in navigating their emotions, while the glossary of key terms helps children understand and contextualize the concepts discussed in the book.

The All the Colours of Me series is a testament to Anna Shepherd's dedication to promoting children's emotional well-being and fostering creativity. Each book in the series addresses different emotions, providing children with a comprehensive and nurturing approach to emotional development.

Picturing My Sadness is a captivating and empowering book that will assist children in embracing and understanding their sadness. Through the art-making process, children will develop a deeper understanding of their emotions, learn valuable coping skills, and gain confidence in expressing themselves. This book is a valuable resource for parents, educators, and mental health professionals who work with children and are committed to promoting their emotional health and well-being.

By encouraging children to become "sadness artists," Picturing My Sadness empowers them to navigate the complexities of emotions and find solace in the beauty of creativity. This book is a testament to the power of art-therapy and the transformative impact it can have on the lives of children.

Weight: 174g
Dimension: 376 x 245 x 7 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781445184791