Why is Sam So SAD?

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Depression from a Child's Perspective

Children - Concept
36 Pages
Reviewed on 03/18/2024
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Author Biography

Dan grew up in the Midwest and has coped with SAD every winter since he was a child. However, that has not stopped him from achieving his goals. He received his bachelor of special education from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. He received his master's degree in early childhood education from Northern Arizona University. He is a certified reading specialist. He was a former teacher with fifteen years of experience teaching students from preschool through high school. In addition, he even tutored college freshmen.
Teaching is in his blood and it even comes out in his writing.
He has lived in the Arizona sun, but today he lives in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Go Packers!”

    Book Review

Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

Most people understand being sad in different situations; however, most do not understand the clinical forms of depression, including Bipolar, Major Depression, and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Sam, a young boy, suffers from SAD and is ashamed to share his condition with others because of so much misunderstanding. Author Daniel Granger highlights the impact of SAD in Why Is Sam so SAD? and how Sam copes with it. Sam explores the effects of SAD, including wanting to sleep all the time, just not caring about things that used to be important, grumpiness, and more. Too many people think that the person suffering from SAD can just get over it. This book does a wonderful job of explaining the complex issues in dealing with SAD and techniques to help and relieve the symptoms. I counseled families for over forty years and wish I'd had this book to give to my young clients with SAD.

Do you understand why you, your child, or another loved one is experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder? Daniel Granger does and, with great sympathy, explains it in Why Is Sam So SAD? When the chemicals and hormones in the brain get out of whack, the brain reacts with sadness. Daniel explains things like dopamine, melatonin, serotonin, and others. He describes techniques to help the client work through the struggles of SAD. Because this book is for children, Daniel uses easy-to-understand words and explains the larger hard-to-understand words. This book is delightfully illustrated and will hold your child’s attention. I highly recommend it as a jumping-off point to understand the murky waters of depression. A better understanding of SAD will enable your child to combat its negative impact better.

Luwi Nyakansaila

Why is Sam So SAD? is a heartwarming children's picture book by Daniel Granger. It revolves around Sam, a young boy who experiences the winter blues, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and depression (SAD). When the sun is out and shining, Sam feels energetic and happy, but when it is cold and dark, he feels low and unhappy. He cannot help it, and he finds it difficult to do anything. All he wants to do is sleep and not be disturbed, but this makes him feel lonely and sick. Sam explains the hormones that cause him to feel this way and what he does to overcome these feelings.

Why is Sam So SAD? is a heartwarming and educational tale that raises awareness about SAD. It will also help anyone living with the condition to know that they are not alone. Daniel Granger does an excellent job of explaining how SAD comes about, its symptoms, and how to combat it. What makes this book unique is that it tackles an overlooked topic that many people face but are afraid to voice. The author encourages children to talk about their feelings and to be compassionate to others who are feeling down. Apart from the profound and insightful lesson, the colorful illustrations perfectly complement the story. This visual representation allows for a deeper level of engagement and understanding, as children will undoubtedly benefit from being able to see Sam's facial expressions, understand his emotions, and connect with him. This guide is a must-read for parents, caregivers, and children. It will help them recognize signs of SAD, provide strategies to combat it, and bring happiness back to children's lives.

Pikasho Deka

Daniel Granger shows the effects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) with this fascinating children's picture book, Why is Sam So SAD? Sam is a little boy suffering from an unusual condition. Every winter, Sam finds himself overwhelmed by a nagging feeling of sadness. He is often late for school because his body just doesn't want to wake up. Nothing captures his attention, and he is often forgetful. Even his family notices that Sam isn't like himself in winter. His dog tries to cheer him up in vain. This is because three chemicals in Sam's body are out of order -- serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin, which makes him prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder. To treat this disorder, Sam practices breathing exercises and engages in light therapy while his mother gives him a pill called St. John's Wort.

Why is Sam So SAD? is an educational picture book that introduces readers to Seasonal Affective Disorder. Children aren't immune to depression or feelings of sadness, and Daniel Granger draws from his own experiences with SAD to provide readers with a deep exploration of this condition in a way that even young readers will be able to understand how it works. The book shows you how young people suffering from SAD experience this disorder. Narrated through a child's POV, the story is emotionally resonant. Sam is an adorable child who tries his best to overcome the hurdles life has put in his way. Readers will find it easy to relate to Sam and cheer him on as he battles SAD. I'm glad I read this book and highly recommend it to children and parents alike.