Celebrate Sadbook’s Second + Write a “Sudden” Poem
It’s that time of year, when Sadbook takes the plunge onto the printed page—after living in a digital world for the previous 365 days (or so).
The Sadbook Collections is a (mostly) daily comic that plays primarily at sadbook.substack.com. Drawn (and loved) by Sara Barkat, little Sadbook has a big heart—filled with musings, whimsy, sometimes puzzlement, occasional crises, and always art.
As you might guess, the origin story of The Sadbook Collections began with sorrow. Little Sadbook was born at a difficult moment, but very quickly took on a vibrant, curious, and often happy life. That’s the power of art. It sustains you when you face the abyss. It can transform sorrow and create a certain kind of magic that no one can take away from you.
But enough about sorrow now. We’re here to celebrate!
Little Sadbook has come to the page again in The Sadbook Collections—Book 2. Intrepid and playful as ever, Sadbook is ready to make your day.
Join the party.
And maybe pick up a copy for yourself or a friend.
About the Illustrator
Sara Barkat
Sara Barkat is the author of the indie excellence awards finalist collection The Shivering Ground & Other Stories and illustrator of The Colour out of Space: A Graphic Novel and The Yellow Wall-Paper: A Graphic Novel. Of course, she also draws Sadbook on a (mostly) daily basis at sadbook.substack.com. You can also visit the artist at sarabarkat.com
Before the Cover, the Comic!
Occasionally the illustrator colors her otherwise minimalist drawings.
So it went with Sudden.
She liked the result so much, and the picture felt so right for this particular collection, that the comic became the cover—with color!
Here’s the comic before the cover…
Poetry Prompt: Sudden
Write an ekphrastic poem using the “sudden” comic art above. Make it sad, or make it happy— or even adventurous or funny. We can’t wait to read!
- Making & Unmaking Meaning: Interview with Wendy Wisner - March 3, 2025
- Giving Voice : Interview with Karla Van Vliet - February 17, 2025
- Announcement: The Sadbook Collections—Book 2! - February 1, 2025
Glynn Young says
It’s about as sudden as I could get.
With a nod to Dr. Seuss
What is a sadbook, not a badbook,
offering a peek, inviting a look,
a boy (or girl) of sticks (not stones)
with a surprise of body instead of bones?
Sticks with a face of smiles and frowns,
making its way through life’s ups and downs,
finding a gap in the bridge and the road,
contemplating a leap like a frog or a toad.
Oh what to do! our Sadbook cries,
I will not be allowed to make many tries.
Seeing the space, the drop so near,
our Sadbook jumps, overcoming the fear.
To see what happens, to brave a long look,
you must, dear friends, buy yourselves the book!
L.L. Barkat says
Glynn, this is SUCH a fun poem!
(Sara loved it, too 🙂 )
Bethany says
Glynn, how fun to read your Seussian take on Sadbook! <3
Congratulations to Sara on the new book!
Sandra Heska King says
This. Is. Great.
“our Sadbook jumps, overcoming the fear”
Sandra Heska King says
Jump!
Shall I turn back
or shall I dare?
If I miss, there’s no abyss.
I sense a soft land
in pillow of clouds.
But if I splash land,
what’s the worst?
I’m a stick, so
I won’t sink.
I’ll just float across.
L.L. Barkat says
I LOVE this, Sandra. So fun. (And what a great perspective 🙂 )
Bethany R. says
What an adorable photograph of the charming book!