nuggie love

Sad Nuggie is struggling, but he is doing his best. When he moves to a new city, he gets his bed put together and has trouble unpacking everything else, but he’s trying. He is scared of the subway, but he’s smart enough to find another way to get around. And he may get splashed at the aquarium, but he can still enjoy it along with the museum and fountains and architecture. He had a traumatic childhood, but he’s getting help.

He may get chased by geese in the park or get bitten by a neighborhood dog when he tries to talk a walk, but he can enjoy his backyard without having to deal with people, and he understands self care. He gets a job and manages his time, trying to enjoy his weekends. He is lonely, but he tries to socialize and make work friends. And when that seems to go okay, his therapist suggests he tries dating. Which he may or may not be ready for.

Sad Nuggie is about how adulting is both sour and sweet, and his adventures in life mirror the experience of so many around the world. Anyone who has ever felt stressed, anxious, or depressed may see themselves in Sad Nuggle and the choices he makes for himself.

This book is filled with charming illustrations of everyday life. As Sad Nuggie faces and sometimes overcomes challenges, he also offers up thoughts on overthinking, gives readers affirmations to use, and provides gentle encouragement to readers (and to himself) about how to find a small slice of joy in even frustrating days. This sweet book would be a lovely gift for readers of any age who find themselves having difficulty getting out of the house, making friends, or finishing the laundry.

I loved Sad Nuggie. It brought back a lot of memories from my 20s, when I moved out to start a new life in a new town and struggled to be an adult. I think a lot of these experiences are universal, or at least the feelings are, which is why Sad Nuggie is such an encouragement to so many. We all have times when we’re feeling low or anxious, and Sad Nuggie shows up for us without judgment.

Egalleys for Sad Nuggie were provided by Andrews McMeel Publishing through Edelweiss, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.