How to Apologize

by David LaRochelle, Mike Wohnoutka (Illustrator)

From the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award–winning creators of See the Cat: Three Stories About a Dog comes a funny and handy guide that explains just how (and how not!) to say “I’m sorry.”

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. For both listeners who are just learning and older readers who need a refresher, this book will come as a welcome reminder that even though apologizing can be hard, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Friendship, Humor, Storytime, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 11, 2021

Reviews

[Amanda Hatton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone recently told me that this book is good for everyone. That everyone needs a copy and that it's important. So I bought it for the high school library I work at. And they're not wrong! It's short, simple and includes good and bad examples. Can I hand this out to the world?

[Azyria Sun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amüsant und lehrreich

Worum geht’s?
Manchmal passieren blöde Dinge und es ist wichtig, „Entschuldigung!“ zu sagen. Doch wie macht man das am besten? Das erfahren wir in diesem Buch.

Meine Meinung:
„Uppppps! Entschuldigung!“ ist ein Kinderbuch von David LaRochelle, das aber nicht nur für Kinder ist. Die Illustrationen von Mike Wohnoutka haben auch mich als Erwachsene mehr als einmal schmunzeln lassen.

In dem Buch erfahren wir in einfachen und kindgerechten Sätzen, dass Dinge passieren können und es nur wichtig ist, sich zu entschuldigen, damit die andere Person und auch man selbst sich wieder gut fühlen. Die Bilder, welche die Worte untermalen und zudem noch eine ganz eigene Geschichte erzählen, haben mir hierbei besonders gut gefallen. Die Tiere sind naturgetreu aber auch ein bisschen vermenschlicht gestaltet. Und ab und an war ich an eine Mischung aus Mordillo und Ruthe erinnert – so viel Witz ist teilweise in den Bildern eingebracht. Mir persönlich haben die Bilder noch besser gefallen als der Text.

Aber auch der Text war treffsicher. Lediglich ein paar Stellen fand ich etwas zu sehr ausgeführt, z.B. die Stelle, wie man sich nicht ernst entschuldigt, da hat die Konzentration der Kleinen beim Lesen doch etwas nachgelassen. Aber ansonsten ist das Buch für die Altersempfehlung mit 3 Jahren gut gewählt. Auf einfache und lustige Art wird das Thema Entschuldigung den Kleinen nahegebracht. Und durch die Bilder wird der Ernst des Themas doch auch aufgelockert, sodass die Kinder auf spielerische Weise lernen, was ja immer hilft, dass Dinge hängenbleiben und umgesetzt werden. Uns hat das Buch sehr gut gefallen und wir haben es bereits einige Male gelesen und werden es sicher auch noch ein paarmal mehr durchblättern – die Bilder sind einfach zu genial! Eine klare Leseempfehlung von uns!

Fazit:
Mit „Uppppps! Entschuldigung“ schreibt David LaRochelle ein Kinderbuch über ein wichtiges Thema, das Mike Wohnoutka mit Bildern wundervoll illustriert. Und gerade die Bilder sind es, die auch uns Erwachsenen lachen lassen und das ernste Thema auflockern, sodass die Kinder mit den wundervollen Bildern und den einfachen Sätzen das Entschuldigen gut nahegebracht bekommen. Lediglich der nicht-ernst-Teil war etwas lang, ansonsten fanden wir das Buch toll und haben es schon mehrere Male gelesen.

4 Sterne von uns!

[Abby Johnson]

This is a funny book that is both entertaining and an actual primer on how to apologize. This book will be a hit with parents and will actually entertain kids, too. A winner.

[Lauren Canaday Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not me wanting to read this book to a lot of adults. 👀

This book is visually very cute, and it teaches a lesson in a positive way. I personally wouldn't read it out loud to a group for storytime, but I think it's perfect for parents or teachers wanting to teach little ones what apologizing really means... and what makes one apology sincere and another not so much.

Yeah, I definitely want to read it to adults. 🤣🤣🤣

[BookTrib.com]

For both those who are just learning and older readers who need a refresher, this book will come as a welcome reminder that apologizing doesn’t have to be complicated.

Read our full coverage here:
https://booktrib.com/2021/05/04/hilar...

[Riley]

Some of y’all need to read this and get a little refresher…not me though

[Mathew · Rating 3 out of 5]

'A straightforward (and laugh-out-loud) guide to saying you're sorry', 'How to Apologise' presents, in picturebook format, a series of scenarios in which some animal, somewhere, makes a mistake. Whether it's a bunch of meerkats playing 'pin the tail on the donkey' on the side of a rhino or a huge elephant on his mobile phone, bumping his car into those of a mouse's in front. LaRochelle and Wohnoutka present us with moments in our lives where saying sorry could go a long way to easing conflict and problems.

Written in a humorously didactic way, with a soft sense of gravitas, LaRochelle tells us why it's important to apologise, even in situations when it might not feel fair or right. I did chuckle in the 'Not Sincere/Sincere' vignettes and how the second half of the book saw the power in resolutions but I don't know how well the suggestions and discussion would work here in the UK. I also felt the anthropomorphic nature of the animals added to the humour a lot, using real children in similarly humorous situations may have brought the reality and the moments closer to home.

[Aily · Rating 5 out of 5]

il bello di questo libro è che non ti sta dicando che chiedere scusa sia la soluzione a tutto ciò che si fa, no. ti insegna ad essere sincero, a rimediare, a non trovare scuse invece di dire che è colpa tua e che ti dispiace.. insomma, è un libro vero, che dovrebbe servire a tante di quelle persone che neanche vi immaginate.. io sono sempre dalla parte della sincerità, però quando ovviamente uno pensa di aver ragione le scuse le chiede anche molto dopo.. insomma, in quei casi è meglio trovare un compromesso, dato che i litigi partono da due e mai da uno solo :) è stata una lettura breve ma bella ed educativa, continuerò a ripetere all'infinito che non sono una fan dei bambini ma lo sono dei libri che, in un certo senso, sembrano destinati solo a loro ma che, in realtà, sono soprattutto per noi <3

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable! It's a great lesson of how to apologize sincerely without making excuses. Many adults could use this lesson as well. I would highly recommend this book for people of all ages. We are never too old for a picture book or too old to learn a new skill.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There isn't a person among us who hasn't made a mistake at some point. Some of those mistakes are downright embarrassing, while others cause harm or pain to others. This picture book reminds readers that the best thing to do after making a mistake is to own up to it and apologize. Not only does the book offer reasons for doing so, but it also provides a blueprint for what to say and what not to say. Being sincere is essential, and even if the apology is long overdue, there's no reason not to say those two words that might change everything. With its humorous gouache illustrations featuring animals behaving badly and then making up for it, this picture book would be useful in a lesson on manners, common courtesy, and how to treat others. After all, an apology makes both parties feel better. While the book is intended for young readers, older ones will enjoy it equally and possibly decide to make amends for something they've done in the past.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basic, to-the-point, and an absolutely necessary skill. There's no good reason not to apologize if you screwed up: not if they owe you an apology, not if the offense was a long time ago, not even if it was an accident. Being sincere is clearly covered, as is not making excuses.

And honestly, even if you have nothing to do with the offense, an apology can still be beneficial.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent picture book that outlines in detail how one should apologize and how one should not apologize. It seems to be a very simple concept, but I think many of us adults could benefit from reading this book. 🤓 The illustrations are funny but practical in laying out possible situations at the beginning of the book then resolving them after sincere apologies are made at the end. Cute and quirky with an important message! -5 stars

[Jody Cornelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love love this book. It is fantastically written and illustrated. It doesn’t talk down to the reader or the listener, it presents the request in a way that is respectful of the intelligence and time and emotions of the people it is directed at. This book should be in every children’s classroom library.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear and concise, a nice overview of what an apology is, what it's for, and how to go about giving one. Good for the 4-8 year old crowd, and perhaps as a conversation starter for older children as well.

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saying you're sorry is never easy. This book is a perfect blend of short, easy to understand teaching and fun. The illustrations really make this book, and we were delightfully surprised. We'll see if it works...

[Angee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be on every family's bookshelf. Funny an informative.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great and adorable picture book about apologizing, and telling kids how to do it the right way. This will be great to give to so many parents, kids and educators.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful book with cute illustrations that help to show how simple and important it is to sincerely apologize. A good resource for children learning this skill, and a reminder for adults.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing, cute, but truly useful book for teaching kids how and why to apologize.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teaches, but not didactic. Humorous, but also heartwarming. Definite addition for every elementary library.

[Ashley Guerrero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable book on the importance of apologizing and how to apologize correctly. I loved the examples and non-examples... makes it concrete for students!

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When to apologize, why apologize, how apologize? This book answers all these questions and more with a hint of humor and a lot of sincerity.

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this duo! All of their works together are awesome. They're smart and funny, my favorite combination!

[Donna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging and instructional picture book for all ages. No one is too old or too young to read and appreciate a story lesson in the simple process of apologizing and the reasons behind why it is necessary as well as how and how not to go about it.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids AND grown-ups need this wonderful book. =)

[Åmîrö ghaderi (≡^∇^≡) · Rating 4 out of 5]

خیلی مناسب بچه هائه😊

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making mistakes and saying you are sorry is such a universally relatable social skill but I have rarely seen it discussed in a book in such a approachable, fun way. The words are straightforward and clear, which great, but it is the illustrations that elevate the book with their adorable animals and comedic timing. This is one to read aloud. It's one that will be enjoyed again and again.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

David LaRochelle und Mike Wohnoutka haben hier schlicht ein süßes, humorvolles Buch geschaffen, das Kindern näherbringt, warum es wichtig ist, Fehler einzugestehen und sich zu entschuldigen. Warum man sich nicht schämen muss, Fehler gemacht zu haben. Warum man es aber auch ernst meinen sollte, wenn man sich entschuldigt oder versucht, es wieder gut bzw. besser zu machen.

Das Buch hat ein bisschen was von einem Ratgeber für Kinder ab drei Jahren, obwohl hier sicher auch einige Erwachsene noch etwas lernen könnten. Durch den lockeren und humorvollen Illustrationsstil verliert dieses Buch jedoch den erhobenen Zeigefinger und bringt mit Witz aber auch der nötigen Ernsthaftigkeit den Kindern das Entschuldigen näher.

Ich mochte, wie das Buch aufgebaut war, auch dass sozusagen praktische Tipps drin waren, die durch Beispiele noch einmal verdeutlicht wurden. Die 32 Seiten überzeugen für mich vor allem durch den Illustrationsstil. Allerdings muss ich auch sagen, dass mir manche Bilder zu klischeehaft waren.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this! I love that the concept of apologizing is getting some attention. Thanks David LaRochelleand Mike Wohnoutka.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really hate when another teacher tells a child to "Say you're sorry" without checking to see if the kid truly feels any remorse. I like that this book frames things to apologize for as "mistakes." Not sure that it would work for a class readaloud, but will recommend to social worker and psychologist. Our guidance counselors were all laid off, or I'd recommend it to them ...