I'm Sorry: A Gentle Picture Book About Best Friends Who Fight for Kids

by Sam McBratney, Jennifer Eachus (Illustrator)

"I'm sorry" is one of the hardest things to know how to say. This lovely, sensitive picture book can help show kids the power of these two simple words. Having a best friend makes life so much better. But even best friends fight, and when that happens, "I'm sorry" can feel impossible to say. From internationally acclaimed author Sam McBratney and award-winning illustrator Jennifer Eachus comes a emotionally attuned picture book that will strike a chord with every child who has quarreled with a friend. (Works for adults as well!) Sam McBratney is the author of many popular and incisive picture books, including the classic Guess How Much I Love You.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Fiction, Emotion

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

The 1943 born Northern Ireland native started writing children's books when he was a teacher in his thirties, with the aim of helping out students who had trouble reading. But he continued writing for a more-personal reason: "the act of imagining simply makes me feel good," he says. The fifty-seventh book of Sam McBratney's career, and his first book with Candlewick Press, was the much-loved GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, which has sold an astonishing 15 million copies worldwide, and is available in 37 languages. "This is not the sort of thing you expect when most of your books have been remaindered," the author admits. "But, as the frog trapped in the milk discovered, if you keep going, sometimes you find yourself walking on cream cheese."

Where does Sam McBratney get his inspiration? "I told my children stories when they were young," he says, "so when I write I try to think of what they would have liked." But there may be another source guiding his writing as well. The author's father--who worked as a type compositor with the BELFAST TELEGRAPH, and whose favorite books were westerns--is the person Sam McBratney credits for giving him his love of the English language. "Most of my picture books--GUESS HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU, THE DARK AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS, JUST ONE!, and JUST YOU AND ME--explore the relationship between a big one and a wee one," the author notes. "The big one is not called the father in the stories, but that's what he is. Although my dad died before I became a writer, the father in my stories has a voice and a presence that he would have recognized and understood."

In addition to authoring many books for children, Sam McBratney wrote radio plays for adults and a prize-winning collection of short stories. He received a degree in history and political science from Trinity College, Dublin, and worked for many years as a teacher.

Reviews

[Sajeda Assenjee]

This lovely book describes the beautiful friendship shared by a little boy and girl. It describes how they play with each other and the different activities they enjoy. However like most things in life this is not to last and results in them having a fight. Each one tells us how they feel and how difficult it is for them to say I’m Sorry. The pictures are exquisitely drawn.

[Jill Smith]

This is a delightful picture book.

The little boy and little girl are best friends.

I have a friend l love the best.
I think she’s nice.

The things we do always makes me laugh,
and she thinks I’m nice too.

She lets me be the teacher.
I let her be the doctor.

But when l yelled at my friend
I made her sad.
I was sad too.

[Kathleen Pine]

The story is of two best friends who love each other. They play together and spend a lot of time with one and other. Then they yell at each other and get in a fight and do not talk. We learn that when friends fight sometimes apologizing is hard to do. Eventually the characters learn the importance of saying "I'm sorry" and work to make things better.

This story teaches children the about conflict resolution, forgiveness and demonstrates empathy. The pictures in the book help bring it to life as it is very detailed and realistic.

Question:
- What makes someone your friend?
- What happens when two people don't agree?
- How do you fix a problem between two people?
- How do you feel when someone yells at you?
- What would make someone yell?
- What can you do besides yelling?

[Mayra Harrison]

this is a great book for children who are learning how to read. this book is a simple and easy book to read. This book is also a great book about self-expression. It also teaches children how to say I'm sorry.

[سیده فاطمه مطهری]

خیلی خوب شروع کرد و موضوع رو برای بچه ها باز کرد، ولی آخرش خیلی سریع تموم شد!
مخصوصا برای خواهرزاده های من که دختر و پسر هستن حس همدات پنداری ایجاد کرد ولی پایانش میتونست بهتر باشه

[Tami Speakman]

The illustrations in this book are so lifelike they attract your eye and this will help make the children want to look at the book. The story is very sweet that these 2 friends have so much fun together and cooperate with each other and do what each other wants. Then the friends say mean things to each other and hurt each other's feelings which is something that happens with children and their friends. The great thing is that the children don't stay mad at each other for long they say sorry to each other and hug and they are better.

[IfCatsCouldRead]

Two best friends that love each other have a fight and shout at each other. Both children are upset about what happened but even more so that the other does not want to play. In the end, one sentence makes a difference. "I'm sorry."

[Ali Book&Seaglasshunter]

Two best friends enjoy doing everything together, but one day they have an argument. They need to say sorry to each other. The child who is narrating models thinking about their friends feelings in the situation. I felt like it ended a little abruptly, I would’ve like a more solids conclusion.

[Maeve]

A good story to share one-on-one with children about repairing friendships.

[Yaricsa Lizama]

A very great book I recommend. The book explains how a little boy shouted at his friend, and how he feels sorry. A very easy book to read.

[Sequoia Isaac]

This is a great book for children. I love how it teaches children at times it may be hard to apologize but it’s the right thing to do.

[Lililyanana]

"De skreik til hverandre og de er ikke greit" forteller barnehagebarna.

[liv]

always reminded me of shaun and i. the illustrations are so dream-like, almost like looking at a memory.

[Mabearbooks]

It's a lovely little story about best friends who have a disagreement. They learn the simple art of tolerance and forgiveness. A wonderful story with a beautiful message.

[Randie D. Camp, M.S.]

A young boy and girl are best friends. They play with each other every day. And they always laugh and have fun but one day they shout at each other...can they still be friends?

The subtle rhythm of the text makes this a great choice for a read aloud. The colors and illustrations correspond with the overall tone of the book. Children will be able to relate to the emotions and feelings of shouting/arguing with a friend.

[Maliha Arman]

This is a wonderful book that increase children social and emotional skills. Children become more aware of other peoples feelings. This book emphasizes the importance of being considerate to those within our environment and community. It shows that friends can also argue but when this occurs sorry is a good way to defuse the situation. Teachers can also explain the importance of finding a solution so it doesn't happen again.

[AMY]

Beautiful book with soft illustrations tells the story of two friends who enjoy spending time together until something goes wrong. This book is warm, sad, comforting and expresses so much emotion little ones feel when growing up, that sometimes leaves then feeling bewildered and upset. This would be a great book to share with kids pre-K to 2nd. Highly recommended.

[Hillingdon Libraries]

Find this book at Hillingdon Libraries

[Cana]

Mommy says: Oh so sweet! Perfect for the preschool set who are learning about disagreeing with their best friends and making up again. The illustrations are exquisite.

[Laurie]

Beautiful illustrations! A story about best friends. They have a fight, but then realize they just need to say sorry and everything will be fine. Very simple.

[Desiree]

Good book for toddlers/Preschools on what happens when you fight with friends and how to makeup.

[Andrea]

This is a simple book about friends who get in a fight and how it makes them feel. A book about saying sorry.

[Joy]

Soft illustrations, will use this story on Sunday to teach 3 & 4 year old children in church that sometimes they need to say I'm sorry.

[D Nine]

Read with You're Not My Best Friend Anymore.