Michael Ian Black has created a new book in his “I am” series. I’m Sad is about being sad. But not just about being sad. It is the bad and good about being sad. Flamingo is sad and his two friends (a little girl and a potato) try to cheer him up. Yet, they also talk about that maybe it is okay to be sad sometimes, too. They also let Flamingo know that he is not alone, that everyone feels sad. Even astronauts and potatoes. This modern take on being sad will appeal to the adult and the child will get a kick out of the suggestions used to try and cheer Flamingo up and the quirks of the artwork.
Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s illustrations are pleasant. They give the right amount of detail and are delightfully bright and bold. The colors pop off the page. They convey the feeling of being sad and how friends interact with each other. They complement the text with all their quirks and humor and the unique wording also compliments them. Black’s sense of humor is perfectly aimed at the child reader yet the adult can appreciate it as well. It can be slightly sophisticated, but is not inappropriate.
Yes, this is The Michael Ian Black of acting comedy fame. He has many titles for children, children of all ages and for adults. I’m Bored is the first in this series. This is where the little girl meets her friends and learns an important lesson from a potato.