Sadderday and Funday
#2 in Weekend Emotions Series
What’s inside...
Sadderday and Funday is a heartwarming children's book by author Chris Mould. The story follows the adventures of two siblings, Sadderday and Funday, as they navigate the ups and downs of life. With charming illustrations and a touching message about the power of positivity, this book is sure to delight young readers and parents alike. Additionally, there is a collection of original poems that deal with the rollercoaster of emotions experienced by children on the verge of adolescence. These poems cover topics such as family break-up, bullying, first love, and the first day at school. The collection is a unique blend of raw emotion and heady experience for 9-11 year-olds and serves as an ideal literary and PSHE resource with poems grouped in handy sections for easy reference by theme.
Discussion points
How do you think the main character felt on Sadderday compared to Funday? Can you describe those feelings?
What actions did the characters take to change a Sadderday into a Funday?
Why is it important to try and find fun in every day, even if it starts as a Sadderday?
Can you think of a time when you turned a sad day into a fun day? What did you do?
How did the characters help each other feel better? What can we learn from them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Reflect on emotions: Encourage your child to talk about their own experiences with different emotions as they relate to the story.
Empathy building: Discuss the feelings of various characters and relate them to personal experiences to build empathy.
Problem-solving together: Talk about ways to turn a 'sadderday' into a 'funday' by brainstorming fun activities or solutions to typical problems.
Encourage imagination: Ask your child to imagine alternative endings for the book or invent new adventures for the characters.
Daily reflections: Make it a daily habit to discuss what part of the day was 'sadderday' and what part was 'funday', encouraging focus on positive moments.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Sadderday and Funday describes the journey of a character who faces various challenges but learns to overcome them with determination and a positive attitude.
Real-World Application: Children learn that difficult situations can be managed and overcome, teaching them to persevere through their personal challenges.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters support each other, demonstrating the strength of friendship and cooperation.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to value and nurture relationships, learning how to be supportive friends in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity
Explanation: The story highlights characters from diverse backgrounds coming together, teaching acceptance and inclusivity.
Real-World Application: Children understand the value of accepting and celebrating differences in people around them, promoting empathy and social harmony.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Characters in the book make mistakes but use them as learning opportunities, which helps them grow.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children see mistakes as a chance to learn and improve, rather than something to fear.
Example Lesson: Joy in everyday moments
Explanation: The narrative showcases how characters find happiness in simple, everyday activities, appreciating the small blessings in life.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to find joy in the mundane and to appreciate the simple moments with family and friends.