Io ti perdono Alex: A volte basta poco per fare la pace (Storie preziose)

by Kerascoët

Alex è un bambino pieno di entusiasmo, ma il suo comportamento molto vivace a volte può diventare un problema. Durante l’intervallo, mentre gioca in cortile, lancia per sbaglio la palla da basket contro una panchina… proprio dove un compagno sta mostrando con orgoglio i suoi disegni! Che disastro: l’urto è così forte da farli svolazzare tutti sopra a una pozzanghera. È il momento di tornare tra i banchi, ma ben presto Alex realizza che quel bambino è triste e arrabbiato a causa sua… e che anche l’intera classe lo ritiene il maldestro responsabile dell’accaduto. L’unica soluzione è chiedere scusa e compiere un piccolo gesto per dimostrare di voler fare la pace! Ma il suo piccolo amico… sarà capace di perdonarlo?

Una storia dolce, intensa, che ci aiuta a stare bene con gli altri – superando i momenti di conflitto – e non ha bisogno di parole per essere compresa.

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

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 12, 2022

About the author

Husband and wife team of Marie Pommepuy and Sébastien Cosset.

The story is that they were faced with signing both their names and possibly taking up too much of the cover, so they decided to name themselves after Marie's parent's village in Brittany.

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

This may be the BEST picture book we read in 2022! The message, while presented in "kid" format and theme could appeal to all ages if eyes, ears and hearts are wide-open. My group loved this story and we read through it twice in order to super-review the illustrations accompanying the text.

A perfect example of how bullies are sometimes not being mean intentionally, they are just all about them - it could be just simple thoughtlessness. The author also has provided a perfect example of how not freaking out, holding fast to offense and defense against crimes committed can leave a person room to change their mind and forgive, forget, move on and make constructive new alliances. A message every human needs to revisit. Often. Everyday, mostly.

A Well-Written, Timely and Fantastic Reminder! 5+ stars!!

[SamSamSam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt that there were far too many kids in the illustrations to keep track of the main characters. Did anyone else have that problem?

[Betsy Cypress · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great wordless book! It invites readers to discuss forgiveness and being leaders in doing the right thing and the boldness that can give others to do the right thing.

[Michelle Boquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a lovely companion to Walk with Vanessa. Although, this story lacks the same heart tug that Vanessa has, it’s still an important story for children that often deal with friendship issues and impulsivity issues.

[Macklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This and I walk with Vanessa are so cute

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

With its softly-colored ink and watercolor illustrations, this wordless picture book delivers a powerful and important message about forgiveness and understanding. Alex is a rather rambunctious youngster who is active and loves playing basketball. When his playfulness interrupts others' activities, he pays it no mind. But then the ball lands in a puddle and splashes water onto a classmate's artwork. Alex didn't mean to cause this destruction, but his careless actions result in anger and shunning by his other classmates, who are furious on behalf of the artistic student. The other boy is surrounded by his friends, but poor Alex is left to eat lunch and play alone. Eventually, though, the boy reaches out to Alex, who presumably apologizes for what happened, and the two play basketball together, prompting the rest of the class to join them. The next day, Alex brings something special to his new friend. The fact that there are no words used in the story--just images--makes it particularly effective, allowing youngsters to fill in the blanks with their own words and use their own imaginations. The back matter includes tips for adults to use in discussing the story as well as suggestions about what to do when you hurt someone as well as when you are the wronged party. It would have been very easy for the boy in the story to let his friends fight his battles and encourage them to hate on Alex. Instead, it is he who reaches out to Alex, something that took courage, just as it took courage for Alex to apologize for his carelessness. This picture book would certainly be useful during the first week of school as an example of behavioral expectations and actions to emulate when someone has hurt another person. It offers rich material for classroom discussion and role playing. Being able to understand how someone else might feel in a certain situation isn't always easy, but it's worthwhile.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this one for forgiveness. I have seen more books lately that has a character make a mistake and either not learn from the mistake, or not apologize. This wordless story shows the emotions of a character making a mistake and knowing he did. It shows the emotions of others around the character - surprise and anger for making the mistake. It shows the act of forgiveness and it shows the character owning the mistake and trying to correct it. Lots to notice and discuss in this one!

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wordless story about a playground accident that ruins one child's artwork when a ball gets loose from a basketball player. The other kids shun the basketball player and he obviously feels bad about the incident. And after school he works up the nerve to apologize.

There's a little explanation of what is going on in the story (as well as an introduction to Alex's name) on the front inside flap of the book jacket. The back of the book has further discussion points for adults reading with kids about conflict resolution and what to do if you accidentally hurt someone or are hurt by someone. The situation in this story is something everyone will experience in some form or other in the lives, and it's a great little introduction to how to apologize and make things right with others. Highly recommended!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, you might say this picture book is about forgiveness, sweetness and light, and understanding.

Yet I would say, instead: This storybook is about shame, losing face, and how excruciatingly painful it can be sometimes... growing up. (Especially since "growing up" can happen at any age.)

WHAT HAPPENS?

Alex gets a bit too rambunctious, playing ball at the playground. Soon all the other kids are angry and start judging him.

He's ostracized, left alone in disgrace by those other chidren... Until one of the boys he jostled shows some human decency... and with that, the kid demonstrates what I'd call true leadership.

Despite this book's subtitle -- "A Simple Story about Understanding" -- I don't find this tale simple at all, so much as it is emotionally and ethically complex. For sure, this FIVE STAR book is well worth reading.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerascoet who created the beautiful wordless picture book about bullying and kindness I Walk with Vanessa, is back with another elegant wordless picture book about the importance of forgiveness. When an accidental throw on the playground leads to the damaging of a friend's artwork he was sharing with others, Alex finds himself the target of anger and isolation from his classmates until the other boy reaches out and forgives Alex. The school-based story is easy to relate to and can be a catalyst for discussions about these behaviors. The illustrations can be a springboard for much oral language about moments like these. The end notes even include tips on what readers can do if they are the aggrieved or aggriever.

[Jolynne Dougherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book without words. A young child with a ball loses control of it and it bounces and destroys a classmate's drawing. The class knows that something bad has happened and they shun the boy with the ball. The next day, the boy with the ball brings a drawing that he made for the classmate whose drawing was destroyed.

The illustrations in this book are exceptional. As mentioned above, there are no words and so the story is told in the expressions on the kids faces and in their body language. This is a great book for discussing feelings, whether you're someone who has hurt someone, or someone who has been been hurt. Lots of opportunities to discuss feelings and how to fix a situation.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex is on the playground playing basketball with friends; another little boy is showing off his artwork to friends. Suddenly, the ball gets away from the group, bounces through a water puddle and splashes up on the boy's artwork. It was a total accident, but the boy is very upset. The rest of the kids on the playground are also reacting to what happened. The boy completely ignores Alex, even when Alex tries to have him sit with him at lunch. And by the end of the day, Alex is being shunned by everyone. Until the boy whose artwork was messed up, moves toward Alex and shakes his hand and begins to play ball with Alex. Then the other kids join in.

An important SEL book for students. A definite addition to my library.

[Susan Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the incredible team who brought us Walking with Vanessa. This is also a wordless book. There is no villain, there is just an unfortunate incident from too much energy and not enough attention. Alex unintentionally wrecks his classmate's project when a basketball splashes the paper and drawings. In sympathy to the sad, distressed classmate, the rest of the children shun Alex, which hurts, because it wasn't intentional. Eventually the wronged classmate forgives Alex and everyone plays together. Without words, this speaks volumes. It will also free children to use their own words to explore their own feelings of empathy, injustice, and forgiveness.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordless picture book
Readers see a playground where everyone is playing together and admiring a classmate's artwork until one young boy (Alex) starts playing basketball in the middle of everything. An accident happens and readers see everyone get mad at Alex and comfort the sad child whose art was ruined. The story takes readers through the rest of the day as everyone ignores Alex until the other child reaches out. The mood changes and everyone finds ways to play together more carefully. I love the scene when Alex gives his friend some art. The illustrations are detailed and easy to follow for the whole story.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wordless book shows a school playground incident. A child loses control of his basketball and bounces another boy's artwork into a puddle. Ball bouncer feels ashamed, and other children ostracize him. Eventually the offended child realizes what is happening, acknowledges the apologetic boy, and extends friendship and forgiveness.
Use to practice visual literacy, and to add the narrative and plot details.
Discussions of interpersonal relationships, hurt feelings, and restoration are suggested by this sweet story.
Adult direction may be helpful for young readers to keep track of the 2 main characters, since the illustrations include many classmates as well.

[Kelly]

Wordless. Great story. I think it's harder to be didactic when it's wordless, which is a good thing. You can tell the story really well through the pictures. It's impressive on the little boy's part that he is able to forgive - I wonder what happened in the background, you know, did he talk to his parents and that's what they said to do, did he experience something similar to him and come to the decision on his own? Either way, I think it's really powerful showing the one boy forgiving the other.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable wordless picture book that teaches what to do when you have a problem (there is some backmatter that talks about conflict resolution as well). I remember when I Walk with Vanessa: A Story about a Simple Act of Kindness was a Black Eyed Susan nominee a few years ago and I didn't love it but I think I Forgive Alex is so much better!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a classmate's playing accidentally ruins Alex's project, most of the class ignores the classmate. Later, the classmate waves to Alex to initiate a conversation where Alex forgives the classmate. It takes bravery to apologize when you hurt someone, especially when you didn't mean to. Being a wordless book opens up room for discussion about what's happening in the book and allows preschooler and other children who can't read on their own yet to read this story. Includes information to talk about apologizing and forgiveness.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing SEL book. This story is about forgiveness but the most amazing part is that it is wordless!! The pictures literally tell the story of one boy accidentally ruining another boys art project. There illustrations stunningly share the emotions of every kid in the class. The one who crashed the project is given mean looks and ignored at lunch, etc. This is such a great teaching tool. I highly recommend it for showing compassion, perspectives and what it means to find it one's heart to give someone another chance.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy, Alex, is dribbling abasketball on the school playground and accidentally splashes a classtmate's artwork getting them all wet. Not only is the classmate upset, but so is everyone else. As a result, Alex is ignored and left out by all the other kids.

This is a wordless book that shows the act of forgiving and being forgiven. There are further explanations in the back of the book to discuss with young readers, addressed to both those that need to forgive and those that need forgiveness.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

An effective wordless picture book about making mistakes and working through them as friends. I like that this is a wordless book, which gives readers and their adults the opportunity to discuss what Alex and his classmate said to each other: how Alex apologized, and how his friend forgave him.

Themes: Social Emotional, Forgiveness, Mistakes, Friends, School
Age range: Kindergarten-Early Elementary

[Presley Steele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Forgive Alex is a gentle, wordless picture book that tells a powerful story about forgiveness and empathy. When a boy named Alex accidentally ruins a classmate’s project, feelings are hurt—but through quiet reflection and kindness, the children learn to forgive and move forward together. The expressive illustrations beautifully capture emotions and help students understand the meaning of saying “I’m sorry” and “I forgive you.”

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordless book to read but each illustration holds a story and something for children and adults to think about after Alex ruins a boy's art display. Following the other children's reactions and how they treat Alex. How understanding between Alex and the boy brings them together and the others join them and forgive Alex.

[Mr. Canning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to add to a library collection. Alex is playing on the playground when he accidentally ruins a students project. The student and all the other classmates it seem are upset with him over what happened. Will Alex be forgiven? Will he be allowed to play with his friends again. This is a wordless book where the pictures tell the story.

[L M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wordless picture book persuasively tells the story of an accident, hurt feelings, and choice in the school yard.
The watercolor and ink style illustrations show the faces and emotions of classmates and make clear how each reacts to the situation.
Includes a page of back matter about interpersonal conflict and forgiveness

[Cindy Dobrez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice wordless book about an accident that ruins one kids' art, two kids feeling bad about it, and reconciliation through forgiveness. Purposeful, but gentle. I'd like to be required reading by ADULTS who need to learn some compassion and kindness. ;) Elementary school counselors will want a copy in their office to share with students struggling with disputes.

[Reece Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book to teach students about kindness. In this story, Alex gets very excited about certain things however his classmates don't understand why. This is a wordless book so it would be great to use it to have students have a class discussion. This book would be great to have in a classroom library and has great illustrations.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wordless picture book about mistakes, hurt feelings, conflict, and forgiveness. Back matter includes helpful tips for children about what to do when you hurt someone and what to do if you are the person who has been hurt.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked this book-both the wordless format and a message that every child can relate to at one point or another.
This could spark a lot of conversation about what is going on and how people feel. It does seem to say which boy has the more difficult time after the incident.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wordless picture book has a sweet message, but my child had a little difficulty following the story (their are a lot of characters in the illustrations). WIth a little help from mom, she was able to understand the message of the book.