Picture Book Highlights | Saying Sorry

By Monica C. RSS Tue, November 8, 2022

Learning when and how to apologize is a critical skill. Apologizing is not an easy thing to do, but it is such an important and necessary behavior in any social situation: among friends, family, and communities. It’s also a way to acknowledge that it is okay to make mistakes, and to learn to treat others the way we want to be treated. It’s amazing how such a few words, when meant sincerely, can do!

How to Apologize by David LaRochelle; illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka

Wouldn’t the world be a better place if everyone knew how to apologize? Luckily, this humorous guidebook is full of practical tips about when, why, and how to say you’re sorry. From a porcupine who accidentally popped his friend’s balloon to a snail who was running so fast he stepped on a sloth’s toes, hilarious examples and sweet illustrations abound.

Horrible Bear by Ame Dyckman; illustrated by Zachariah O’Hora

Bear didn't mean to break a little girl's kite, but she's upset anyway--upset enough to shout "HORRIBLE BEAR!" Bear can't believe it. He's not horrible! But now he's upset, too--upset enough to come up with a truly Horrible Bear idea. In this charming but goofy picture book, readers will learn all about tempers, forgiveness, and friendship as Bear prepares to live up to his formerly undeserved reputation while the little girl realizes that maybe--just maybe--Bear isn't as horrible as she thought.

Rita and Ralph’s Rotten Day by Carmen Agra Deedy; illustrated by Pete Oswald

In two little houses, on two little hills, lived two best friends...So begins the story of Rita and Ralph. Every day they meet to play beneath the apple tree. It's always fun and games -- until one roundly rotten day when a new game means someone ends up crying. Who knew it could be so hard to say "I'm sorry"?Just when it seems nothing will ever be right again, a surprising thing happens. The old friends try something new, that isn't new at all. Something they've done a hundred times...

Sorry (really sorry) by Joanna Cotler; illustrated by Harry Bliss

Cow was in a nasty mood. When Duck came along Cow kicked mud in her face. Little did Cow know that her bad mood would spread to the whole farm. But it does when Cow passes her anger along to Duck who takes it out on Frog who is mean to Bird who upsets Goat who bothers Pig. Until good-hearted Dog turns things around by showing kindness to Pig, turning not sorry into sorry (really sorry). But will that be enough to mend all of the hurt feelings on the farm?

Sonny Says Sorry by Caryl Hart; illustrated by Zachariah OHora

While playing Hide and Seek with his friends, Sonny finds a box. It has a label on it that says “Do not open.” But Sonny really wants to know what’s inside. He pokes the box. Sniffs the box. And when Boo and Meemo come along, Sonny says “Look!” He opens the box, and they peek inside. CAKE! “Yummy!” says Boo. It looks so good, they can’t help it. They eat it. But when Honey comes by, she sees Sonny and Meemo and Boo’s chocolatey hands and faces. “That was my cake!” she cries. What will Sonny and his friends do?

Ebook available from Overdrive

I Forgive Alex: A Simple Story About Understanding by Kerascoët

Alex’s enthusiasm and energy can sometimes be a challenge for his classmates. He loves to play ball on the playground with his friends, but when his rambunctious behavior inadvertently upsets one of the other students, he finds himself at odds with the whole class. In a story that sees the perspective of both sides, Alex learns quickly that the right thing to do is say he’s sorry, leaving it up to his friend to find the compassion and empathy to accept it.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Turtle in a Tree by Neesha Hudson

A greyhound swears there's a turtle in the tree. A bulldog says it's a squirrel. After all, a turtle in a tree? Who's ever heard of such a thing? But their argument leads to a most surprising discovery . . . that maybe neither one of them is all the way wrong, or all the way right, and friendship is all about listening to someone else's perspective.

Ebook available from Overdrive

Be sure to check our catalog and Overdrive Kids eReading Room for these titles and many more being added!


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