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Sticker - 3" Inhale Exhale Sad Potato
Regular price $3.50 CADRegular price$6.00 CADSale price $3.50 CADSale -
Sticker - 3" Sad Potato
Regular price $3.50 CADRegular price$6.00 CADSale price $3.50 CADSale -
Sticker - 3" Happy Sad Potato
Regular price $3.50 CADRegular price$6.00 CADSale price $3.50 CADSale
Teachers and educators, parents and families, therapists and counsellors, and children of all ages are loving the message behind this "happy little accident".
Emotional regulation, calming down, mindfulness, potatoes, puns, and witty illustrations are perfectly baked into this 30-page picture book that follows a little spud as they navigate their way through a bad day.
What is The Sad Potato about, and what inspired it?
In 2024, a friend of mine reached out after their father had a stroke, needing something to cheer them up and take their mind off things for a bit. I lost my own mother to a similar brain injury when I was 14, so I know how emotional and exhausting it can be. And being the classic-millennial I am, I knew that witty humour, a dose of reality, and something silly about potatoes would do the trick. Because we all love potatoes, we’ve all been a sad potato at some point, and we all love to laugh.
This poem was my way of reminding them that there is nothing wrong with being a sad potato. And when it all feels too much, or we are feeling spud-nuts, there's things we can do to help make the day a little better, but without the pressure of needing a happy ending to call it a success.
Sometimes a sad potato wants to be sad, but they don’t need to feel so sad.
The Sad Potato wasn't written as a book, but was turned into one after I was encouraged to share the poem with others. I added a few things, changed some other things, and drew the first thing that popped into my head with each line... and here we are. I think that's why it's so different from my usual writing style. But I wanted to keep it as close to the original thing as possible, which is something that is still really important to me. I could re-write it as a book and make it "flow better", but it's silliness is part of what makes it so charming to me.
Emotions can be hard, for all of us. Join this little spud as they navigate through their bad day and find out how they flip that frown - upside down!
As of June 2026, The Sad Potato is being used a supplementary resource for teaching emotional regulation to kids of all ages in over 3-dozen schools across Saskatchewan and Alberta! Along with child-therapist and counsellor offices, The Sad Potato is even reaching teenagers through several Mental Health and Wellness programs across Canada.
about the author
Rachael Friesen is a Canadian maker, artist, and business owner who loves being silly, having fun, and making people laugh!
Drawing on inspiration from life, love and nature, she enjoys creating things and never seems to run out of fun ideas that bring her art and her vision, to life!
reviews
Let customers speak for us
My son and I have read the book a few times and it has honestly helped him and me regulate ourselves!
But the cutest thing is that I put the magnet on the side of my fridge. The other day we were at the table together and he was getting a little upset but his eye caught the potato magnet and he said “potato says breathe mama. Deep breath.” Then he took a deep breath and we moved on. 🩷
My son, who is 7, reads this book EVERY DAY. He legitimately uses it to calm down / feel connected. He also has a sad potato stuffy that Rachael so wonderfully made him for his 6th birthday that he sleeps with every night and takes on all road trips. I cannot begin to explain the effect this book has had on his mental health and peace.
Both my 2 & 4 year old loved it, they were very invested in the sad little potato’s journey back to happiness l. At the end they asked which other emotions the potato would feel so I think you may need a series ;)
Our family loves this book!
A great little book that helps kids (and adults) recognize and regulate emotions. Loved the simple, non-judgemental nature of the book.
This book is the cutest! My 2 and 4 year old absolutely loved reading this, and honestly so did I. Such a great little story that provides a nice teaching opportunity about regulating emotions while also including the most perfect illustrations that will make you laugh. Such an adorable read, would definitely recommend!
My seven year old says she loved it and even practiced the calming techniques as the book was being read. She would read it a thousand times!! It's a cute book, easy to read and the rhymes and puns make it fun!
Emotions are sooo important for littles to understand, but it’s not an easy topic for them to fully grasp. The Sad Potato helps me as a parent start conversations surrounding emotions in a way my kiddos understand.
So fun!! I love how the book gently explores emotions, in a way that is so easy for kids to understand! I’ve used it in my elementary classroom health class with so much success!
So sweet and simple. I used it in my classroom and my students loved it!
Very cute story! I found myself relating to the little spud more than I expected. There's a genuine charm in its simplicity that makes it an easy, enjoyable read. We are all little potatoes that can get sad and need a little guidance and grace. Amazing book!
The Sad Potato is a cute, funny little story that helps both kids and adults learn that it's okay if you need to take a little breather when everything seems like too much.
It's full of fun little rhymes and jokes, and I especially liked the duel reference to Lord of the Rings and Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up.
The sad potato is a great conversation starter with kids struggling with emotions and understanding them. The story line of the sad potato opens conversation on almost every page.
Thank you for a book that is easy to relate to and allows kids to learn from.
This book is perfect for little ones that are dealing with big emotions. It rhymes, and it is easy for them to understand and relate to if they are having a bad/sad day. Perfect to read at home, in classrooms, daycare, etc.
As someone who is on their own mental health journey the message in this book really brightened my day. Will probably have to bring out as a reminder on days when I'm not feeling my best.
Plus the illustrations were so cute. This book is ageless.
She knows it by heart but still asks to read it every night!