Way Past Sorry

February 15, 2023
A broken promise results in a class trip fraught with tension between two friends. Kat agreed to sit with Sage on the bus ride to the planetarium but instead sits with Meera, leaving Sage alone--and deeply hurt. Kat is way past sorry but can't seem to make it right. "Sage's hurt feelings felt red on my face and tight in my chest." Things go from bad to worse as Kat's guilt and self-defense mechanisms kick in. Instead of apologizing, Kat runs away when confronted by Sage. Kat's regret is "bigger than the night sky," and the child wishes for the chance to start the day over. Finally, at lunch, Sage agrees to listen to Kat, and together they "unpack...the sorry like a heavy backpack." Adelman's newest addition to her Great Big Feelings series reintroduces some familiar characters from previous titles while focusing on Kat and Sage as they work through the tangled emotions of guilt, regret, and hurt. The simple, first-person declarative statements are interspersed with poetic reflections as the author explores how to recognize a wrong and make amends. Juli's bold, childlike illustrations effectively portray the angst seeping across the pages. Kat, Sage, and Meera are brown-skinned and dark-haired; their classmates are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Realistically conveys the healing power of a heartfelt apology. (Picture book. 4-8)

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April 15, 2023
Preschool-Grade 2 On a class field trip to the planetarium, Kat breaks her promise to Sage and sits on the bus with Meera instead. Afterward, Kat is sorry, but Sage is too hurt to forgive and forget. Following a difficult morning full of regrets and hard feelings, Kat and Sage finally reconnect at lunch, where Kat listens as Sage expresses her hurt feelings and Kat explains how truly remorseful she is. Adelman's latest title in the Great Big Feelings series offers a believable scenario that highlights a common friendship issue. Emotions are clearly expressed (""I told Sage what I knew I did wrong. And promised I wouldn't make those mistakes again"") and the situations described ring true. Juli's cartoon illustrations feature deeply saturated hues, simply drawn characters, and unadorned backgrounds. Emotions are conveyed through patches of color on cheeks: red represents hurt feelings or anger, while light pink signifies happiness. This will be useful for primary classes learning to identify emotions and understand behavioral consequences.

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