Resources for children:
Sadness & Depression

These recommendations mainly focus on sadness and grief, however, some are also useful for managing other different emotions, indicated by the corresponding feeling icons.

Blue icon of a sad face
Purple icon with a worried anxious face.
Orange icon with an angry face
  • Anxiety
  • Anger
  • Sadness

The Invisible String - Patrice Karst

This heartwarming book teaches young readers that connection with loved ones can be maintained, no matter how far apart they may be. The beautiful illustrations make it easy for children to visualise the concept of a string that keeps us connected to others. An excellent resource to provide comfort and reassurance to children struggling with separation anxiety, or those who are experiencing grief, loneliness or sadness.

Recommended for ages 4+

Colour Monster: A Pop-Up Book of Feelings - Anna Llena

In this interactive pop-up book, children follow along as the Colour Monster explores a range of emotions. The use of illustrations and colours to represent different emotions is a helpful way for young readers to visualise and identify a range of emotions.  This book provides a simple and effective way to help children understand different feelings and explain that we all find emotions confusing sometimes.

Recommended for ages 4-8.

Ups and Downs - Karen Young

Another excellent creation from psychologist, Karen Young. In this book, she explores the complexities of emotions and the range of feelings that we all experience. With a range of evidence-based information and practical strategies to manage difficult feelings, young readers will better understand feelings and how to constructively work through life’s ups and downs, making it a helpful resource for the whole family.

Recommended for ages 5 - 13

When I’m Feeling Sad - Trace Moroney

A lovely resource for parents to share with younger children, and something that older children can read themselves. Through colourful illustrations and simple language, the book journeys through the various ways people feel and experience sadness, and importantly highlights that it’s ok to feel sad. It also provides a range of suggested coping strategies to work through moments of sadness. 

Recommended for ages 4+

The Invisible Boy - Trudy Ludwig

This story delves into feelings of loneliness, feeling overlooked or unnoticed by peers. It can help children who are experiencing sadness and loneliness to understand and process these difficult feelings. Through the lovely story of a boy who feels invisible to his peers, children can learn about empathy, the power of kindness and the importance of reaching out to others.

Recommended for ages 5-8.

Red Tree -Shaun Tan

This beautifully illustrated book explores themes of loneliness and sadness. It captures the more complex aspects of feelings, showing that they can be confusing and can’t always be easily expressed in words. The story taps into the reality of difficult emotions being an inevitable part of life, but also highlights that amidst the darkness, there is light and hope waiting to be discovered.

Recommended for ages 8+

You may also be interested in:

  • Karst, P. (2018). The inivisble string. (J Lew-Vriethoff, Illus Hachette Children's Books.
    The invisible string. (n.d) Booktopia https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-invisible-string-patrice-karst/book/9780316486231.html
    Tan, S. (2001). The red tree. Hachette Australia.
    Reading Australia. (n.d) The Red Tree. https://readingaustralia.com.au/books/the-red-tree/
    Moroney, T. (2018) When I'm feeling sad. Five Mile.
    When I'm Feeling Sad. n/d. Resilience Kit. https://www.resiliencekit.com.au/product/when-im-feeling-sad/
    Llenas, A. (2015). The Color Monstor: A Pop-Up Book for Feelings. Union Square Kids
    The Colour Monster. (n.d.) Booktopia. https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-colour-monster-anna-llenas/book/9781783704231.html
    Young, K. (2023). Ups and Downs - A book for kids about big feelings. (N Dovidonyte, Illus.) Hey Sigmund.
    Ups and Downs. (n.d.) Hey Sigmund. https://www.heysigmund.com/products/ups-and-downs/
    Ludwig, T. 2014. The Invisible Boy. (P Barton, Illus). Random House.
    The Invisible Boy. (n.d.) Booktopia. https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-invisible-boy-trudy-ludwig/book/9781582464503.html