The Great Sadness

Olga Tranchini

In a tranquil pond where frogs have always sung without a care, one small doubt sets off an unexpected chain reaction. A question about life, death and destiny quietly spreads from frog to frog — and before long, the entire community is overcome by what they solemnly name The Great Sadness.
What follows is at once dramatic and gently absurd: existential despair, collective panic, apocalyptic predictions — and, eventually, a colossal and surprising presence that changes everything.
With emotional intensity, dry humor and narrative precision, Olga Tranchini crafts a story that eels both philosophical and playful. The book unfolds with mounting tension, visual surprises on every spread, and culminates in a powerful and unexpected twist that redefines everything that came before.
Echoing the wit and emotional clarity of William Steig, The Great Sadness balances depth with lightness, inviting children to confront big feelings without ever losing warmth or irony.