Maya Angelou once said, \u201cForgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It’s not for the other person.\u201d But, as we all know, it\u2019s easier said than done for kids and adults alike. And since kids aren’t born knowing how to say sorry (and mean it), they need patience, modeling, and direct teaching to learn how to apologize and accept another person\u2019s apology. <\/p>\n
To offer a helping hand on the first steps of your child\u2019s lifelong journey of practicing forgiving and asking for forgiveness, I\u2019ve compiled a list of picture books that provide heartfelt examples of bears, bunnies, llamas, and humans apologizing and offering forgiveness for a variety of misunderstandings and misdeeds.<\/p>\n
While these books on forgiveness are perfect for little ones, they also offer strategies for the entire family to experience the power of forgiving \u2014 and forgetting! <\/p>\n
no no 9780593462911 I’m Sorry You Got Mad<\/i> by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Julie Kwon <\/p>\n
Saying \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d can be challenging for kids. This book is about a boy who hurts his friend\u2019s feelings and can\u2019t figure out how to apologize. Jack learns that he will need more than just words to be forgiven.<\/p>\n
9780593323311 Turtle in a Tree<\/i> by Neesha Hudson <\/p>\n
Exploring the question \u201cWould you rather be happy or right?\u201d, this short but mighty read-aloud looks at differing perspectives. A greyhound and a bulldog disagree on whether or not there’s a turtle in a tree. If either of them is right, can they remain friends? <\/p>\n
The story\u2019s genius use of white space, spare text, sound effects, and humor offers a beautiful lesson on the value of multiple perspectives. <\/p>\n
9781984812476 Sorry (Really Sorry)<\/i> by Joanna Cotler, illustrated by Harry Bliss <\/p>\n
The barnyard is embroiled in one big bad mood fest. It all started when Cow kicked mud in Duck\u2019s face and refused to apologize. The bad mood spreads to Duck, Frog, Bird, Goat, and Pig in no time. Well, that is until Dog embarks on a mission to turn \u201cnot sorry\u201d into \u201creally sorry,\u201d flip the barnyard\u2019s frown upside down, and mend hurt feelings. <\/p>\n
9781644214022 The Duel<\/i> by In\u00eas Viegas Oliveira, translated by Rosa Churcher Clarke <\/p>\n
Two men argue in a cold, wintery landscape. They become so upset that they decide to resolve their differences with an old-fashioned duel. However, as they take their paces, one man keeps walking. As he puts time and distance between himself and his opponent, he sets aside his anger and embraces the colorful, beautiful, and peaceful world around him. This stunning picture book delivers a profound message of healing and forgiveness.<\/p>\n
9780399551581 That’s My Carrot<\/i> by Il Sung Na <\/p>\n
When two headstrong bunnies discover a carrot sprouting between their gardens, they both want to claim it. But when they try to dig it up, it mysteriously disappears! To get to the bottom of this mystery, they must work together to find a solution. And while they are at it, maybe they will uncover the power of forgiveness \u2014 and friendship, too! <\/p>\n
9780394851327 The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight<\/i> by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain <\/p>\n
Things are a bit stormy between Brother and Sister Bear. They’re not even sure what they’re fighting over. Things get even stormier until they find a way to make up (with some encouragement from Mama and Papa.) The story weaves an excellent metaphor of a storm and a rainbow to illustrate how relationships can be tumultuous at times until the sun comes out \u2014 and a rainbow appears. <\/p>\n
9780744091854 Kindness Club Squirrel Learns to Forgive<\/i> by Ella Law, illustrated by Laura Vitoria Jager <\/p>\n
This sweet series teaches children essential life lessons through gentle stories of kindness. Goat accidentally ruins the cake Squirrel baked for a competition, and Squirrel is (understandably) upset. With a little time and understanding, Squirrel learns to let go of his hurt feelings and forgive his clumsy friend.<\/p>\n
9780670062874 Big Red Lollipop<\/i> by Rukhsana Khan, illustrated by Sophie Blackall <\/p>\n
This sweet and beautifully illustrated book begins when Rubina gets invited to a birthday party, and Mom insists that her little sister tag along. This sticky situation goes from bad to worse when the little sister becomes the worst birthday guest ever and jeopardizes Rubina’s friendships \u2014 and a prized party favor. This sweet story of sibling rivalry and forgiveness will become a favorite of sisters everywhere. <\/p>\n
9781582464503 The Invisible Boy<\/i> by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Patrice Barton <\/p>\n
On one side, this is a heartbreaking story about feeling invisible to other people and the resilience of a child to survive without the help of teachers and friends. On the other side, it is a life-affirming story of the power of friendship, forgiveness, trust, and resiliency. A must-read for parents, teachers, caregivers, and kids, this book helps readers see invisible children and help them feel seen, too. You\u2019ll wonder how you ever lived without it.<\/p>\n
9780593381502 I Forgive Alex<\/i> by Kerasco\u00ebt, Sebastien Cosset, and Marie Pommepuy <\/p>\n
A young boy named Alex doesn\u2019t realize how his actions hurt others until he offends all the other kids in his class. This wordless picture book brilliantly tells a story of missteps and forgiveness. It\u2019s a must-read for children learning about apologizing to and forgiving each other.<\/p>\n
9781680101904 I’m Sorry!<\/i> by Barry Timms, illustrated by Sean Julian <\/p>\n
Can best friends Scribble and Swoop repair their friendship after a terrible argument? It depends on if the one who caused the riff apologizes \u2014 and means it. This heartwarming story will help teach youngsters how to apologize and why it\u2019s not just saying \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d with words, but with one’s heart. <\/p>\n
9780670013951 Llama Llama and the Bully Goat<\/i> by Anna Dewdney <\/p>\n
Oh, no! Llama Llama and his friends are being teased and called names by their classmate, Gilroy Goat, and they don’t know what to do. Then their teacher offers strategies to help them deal with a bully and hopefully find a way to be friends with Gilroy. This story provides young readers (and bullies) a first look at bullying and the power of forgiveness. <\/p>\n
9781536222043 How to Apologize<\/i> by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka <\/p>\n
When you\u2019ve done something wrong, you need to apologize to receive forgiveness. This smile-inducing picture book presents multiple scenarios where a critter needs to apologize to another. Readers of all ages will appreciate how this book handles the topic with sensitivity and humor.<\/p>\n
9781524771584 The Power of One<\/i> by Trudy Ludwig, illustrated by Mike Curato <\/p>\n
This story celebrates \u2018the power of one\u2019 act of kindness by one child to another that sets off a chain reaction. The results of her generosity change her, her school, and her entire community. While the book\u2019s message will touch hearts, the concrete steps that the readers can take will change lives. Warning: this is a powerful read! <\/p>\n
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2025.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
These picture books provide heartfelt examples of characters apologizing and offering forgiveness for a variety of mistakes and misdeeds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":114210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[116,1161,1199,1231,1297],"coauthors":[1298],"class_list":["post-19512","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-parenting","tag-caring-and-growing-up","tag-emotions","tag-monthly-themes","tag-forgiveness","ages_stages-pre-k"],"yoast_head":"\n