Customer Reviews

I'm Sorry

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I like this book because it is sweet and simple. It talksabout friendship and love and being hurt and saying "I'msorry". The illustrations are adorable. This is a great book to teach young children about apologizing and would also be a great gift to give as an apology to a friend, sister, brother, husband, or anyone who needs it. It would be hard not to accept such a sweet apology.

This book is gorgeous. The illustrations will draw in child and adult alike. The emotions are portrayed honestly in a way children will easily identify.

But why, for the love of Pete, can't the book end with an actual apology and resolution instead of an imagined one? The narrator, a little boy, sulks to himself "If she were as sad as I am sad, here is what she would do", namely say she's sorry, even though apparently the little boy SHOUTED at his friend first.

I very nearly bought this book after skimming it at the bookstore, enchanted by the beautiful pictures. I thought my 4 year old could really use a model of an apology, but that's not what this book is. Thank goodnes I read it through carefully.

I gave it two stars to acknowledge the incredible artwork, but I wish it were in a different book.

Children are not born with language; it has to be experienced, learned, and taught. And that applies to the two simple words: I'm Sorry. Many students in my school live in homes where the words 'I'm Sorry' are not spoken. It's often a task left to the school. Saying 'I'm Sorry" is an alternative to bully or violent behavior. Some kids simply just lack the language and that may mean hitting another kid. To start introducing this concept early - get this book on your shelf. It will come in handy!

I am drawn first to the illustrations in a book. If they don't appeal, I can't really appreciate the message. But if the illustrations are beautiful, like these, I just change the story. I am currently reading to 2 year old boy/girl twins and this looked perfect for a change. Once I got started, I changed the story to better conform to their personal situation, explained a bit what happened, and added more genuine apology. ("They remembered how much they liked playing together. Then they got a good idea: they came together and they both said, 'I'm sorry'"). I also altered the "action" sequences: so often, as is the case here, the story is written where the boy "does things" and the girl watches. I typed the changes out on large labels and stuck them right over the text. Is it blasphemy? They love this book. Highly recommended.

I'm Sorry, by Sam McBratney, focuses on all of the positive sides of a good friendship. The joys of a young boy is shared with his best friend. They play well together until one day they encounter a problem. Mr. McBratney does a great job of capturing how children feel after they have had a conflict and are no longer friends. At first I thought it was the boy who should apologize first, but then I realized that children always expect the other person to make the first move.

The book can be used for children K-3 to highlight the joys of good friendships and how to share with one another. Even though there they share many great times together, just one "mistake" can take it all away. It teaches children how to be careful of how they treat one another. When conflicts occur, they must be resolved or else both parties will pay the consequences - usually loneliness and sadness.

Jennifer Eachus has done a superb job of illustrating the story. In my opinion it's of Caldecott quality. Her artwork is soft and beautiful and captures detail through her "old-fashioned" touch. I chose the book in part for it's outstanding illustrations.

Illustrations and story make for a delightful book:)