This beautifully illustrated picture book is about the feeling of being sad.
How does Humhum feel - and what is that feeling called?
Where does it come from...? And the important question: what now?
Read all about it in Humhum Is Sad!
Humhum Is Sad is a full-color picture book, sized 8 x 8 inches.
Pompom and The Circle of Feelings is a series about emotions and feelings.
Can you already recognize what you're feeling?
Where does it come from - and how do you handle it?
Helping children understand what feelings are and how to recognize their emotions is essential for their emotional development.
Humhum is sensitive and introspective, feeling emotions deeply and processing them thoughtfully. She has a naturally gentle demeanor that becomes subdued when sad. Despite her current melancholy, she possesses an underlying optimism that allows her to believe things will improve. She's contemplative and observant, noticing small details around her even when feeling down. Humhum tends to withdraw when processing difficult emotions but maintains a quiet dignity throughout.
MOTIVATIONS: Humhum is motivated by a desire to understand her own feelings and find balance again. She seeks emotional honesty, both with herself and others. Though currently sad, she's driven by an innate need to reconnect with joy and the activities she once loved. She values authentic emotional expression and wants to help others understand their feelings too, which is why she reaches out to readers at the end of her journey.
INTERNAL CONFLICT: Humhum struggles with the disconnect between not knowing the exact cause of her sadness and feeling its effects so strongly. She wrestles with the tension between needing to honor her current emotions while also wanting to move forward. Part of her wants to hide her sadness, while another part knows expressing it is healthier. She questions whether she should push herself to participate in activities or allow herself time to simply feel.
STRENGTHS: Emotional intelligence and self-awareness allow Humhum to name and describe her feelings with vivid imagery. She possesses remarkable resilience, knowing that her sadness is temporary. Humhum demonstrates wisdom beyond her years in her approach to emotional processing. She maintains hope even in difficult moments and has the courage to walk forward despite feeling weighed down. Her ability to reach out to others shows emotional generosity even amid personal struggle.
WEAKNESSES: When sad, Humhum loses interest in activities she usually enjoys and has difficulty maintaining her appetite. She physically manifests her emotions through tears and body language that's hard to control. Her tendency to withdraw can temporarily disconnect her from potential support systems. She sometimes gets caught in the weight of her emotions, making it difficult to take the first steps toward feeling better. The intensity of her feelings can be overwhelming for her.
CHARACTER ARC: Humhum begins in a state of profound sadness, physically weighed down by her emotions. Through the story, she moves from simply experiencing her sadness to naming and understanding it, comparing it to heavy rain. This awareness helps her process the emotion rather than being controlled by it. By the end, she demonstrates growth by walking forward with renewed confidence, showing she's integrated the experience without being defined by it. Her final act of reaching out to readers shows her evolution from self-focused grief to reconnecting with others.
Nanda Roep is a Dutch children's author and publisher, best known as the creator of the Plaza Patatta series and Pompom & The Circle of Feelings. She writes stories that encourage children to discover the joy of reading through humour, adventure, and imagination. Alongside writing, she develops educational and creative projects that inspire young readers and families. Her books are published in both Dutch and English. Nanda lives and works in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands.
