Books About Saying Sorry

The Best Saying Sorry Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about saying sorry? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

Dozens of Doughnuts
Series
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Saying Sorry

Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1964

Harriet the Spy

By Louise Fitzhugh · Book #1 in the Harriet the Spy series

A young spy's secret notebook falls into the wrong hands, threatening her friendships.

300 pages· 57,761 words· Est. 8 hour read
4.0/5 Goodreads · 101,191 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Harriet M. Welsch, an 11-year-old spy, meticulously records her observations about everyone around her. But when her notebook is lost and discovered by her friends, the harsh truths she penned threaten to unravel her world. Can Harriet mend her friendships and learn the true power of words? Dive into this classic tale of honesty, betrayal, and redemption set in the bustling streets of New York City. Will Harriet's sharp insights lead to healing or further chaos?
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2021

How to Apologize

Discover the art of apology through humorous animal mishaps.

32 pages· 375 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
6.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 1,121 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: In a world where apologies can be tricky, a porcupine and a snail navigate the art of saying 'I'm sorry.' With humorous mishaps and charming illustrations, this guide offers practical tips for all ages on when and how to apologize. Will these quirky characters master the delicate balance of making amends? Dive into a delightful journey that reminds us that while apologizing can be challenging, it doesn't have to be complicated. Perfect for young learners and those needing a refresher, this book is a heartwarming exploration of forgiveness and understanding.
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2021

I'm Sorry

A flamingo and a potato must mend their broken friendship.

40 pages· 403 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.1/5 Goodreads · 245 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Flamingo is upset, and Potato is the sorriest he's ever been. Unsure how to apologize, Potato considers drastic measures like fleeing to the South Pole or donning a disguise forever. Can they repair their friendship and return to their happy trio? Discover how a flamingo and a potato navigate the delicate art of mending hurt feelings in this heartwarming tale.
Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2020

Dozens of Doughnuts

By Carrie Finison, Brianne Farley (Illustrator)

A bear's doughnut feast turns into a sharing dilemma as unexpected guests arrive.

40 pages· 458 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
5.1/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,062 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: LouAnn the bear prepares a doughnut feast for her winter nap, but her plans crumble as friends like Woodrow the woodchuck and Clyde the raccoon arrive unannounced. Each new guest means more doughnuts to share, and soon LouAnn's kitchen is empty. With winter approaching and nothing left for herself, LouAnn faces a sweet but challenging predicament. Can she find a way to balance generosity with her own needs? Discover how LouAnn navigates friendship and sharing in this charming tale of unexpected visitors and doughnut dilemmas.
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Rita & Ralph's Rotten Day

By Carmen Agra Deedy, Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

Two friends face a rift. Can they mend their bond with a simple act?

48 pages· 457 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 550 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Rita and Ralph, best friends living on neighboring hills, play together daily under an apple tree. But one day, a game goes wrong, leaving tears and anger in its wake. As they struggle to apologize, it seems their friendship might be lost forever. Yet, in a moment of realization, they rediscover a familiar gesture that could heal their rift. Will this simple act restore their bond? Dive into a heartwarming tale of friendship, forgiveness, and the power of saying 'I'm sorry.'
Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2016

Horrible Bear!

By Ame Dyckman, Zachariah OHora (Illustrator)

A broken kite sparks a clash. Can tempers cool and friendships mend?

40 pages· 249 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud
5.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,815 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: When Bear accidentally breaks a girl's kite, she angrily labels him 'Horrible Bear!' Indignant, Bear plots a mischievous plan. But as the girl makes her own mistake, she wonders if Bear is truly horrible. Can they both learn the power of forgiveness and friendship?
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Sorry (Really Sorry)

By Joanna Cotler, Harry Bliss (Illustrator)

A farm's bad mood spreads until kindness offers a chance for healing.

32 pages· 544 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
4.0/5 Goodreads · 412 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: On a farm where moods are contagious, Cow's anger sets off a chain reaction of hurt feelings. As Duck, Frog, Bird, Goat, and Pig pass along the negativity, it seems unstoppable. But when Dog shows unexpected kindness, the cycle begins to break. Can one act of compassion mend the farm's fractured harmony? Discover how saying 'sorry' can transform not just a day, but a whole community.
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Little Penguin and the Lollipop

Little Penguin must fix his mistake after eating Kenneth's special treat.

40 pages· 278 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud
3.8/5 Goodreads · 303 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Little Penguin faces a dilemma when he accidentally eats his friend Kenneth's prized seaweed lollipop. Despite his best efforts, including hugs and apologies, nothing seems to mend their friendship. Can you help Little Penguin find a way to make things right and save the day? Dive into this delightful underwater adventure filled with humor and heart, where friendship and forgiveness are put to the test.
Picture Book · Ages 5–6 · 2020

Max + Xam

Two friends clash over popularity, testing the true meaning of friendship.

32 pages
4.8/7 Bookroo·3.5/5 Goodreads · 32 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Max and Xam's friendship hits a snag when a rivalry over popularity spirals out of control. As their antics escalate, they must navigate the chaos to rediscover what truly matters. Will their bond survive the test, or will their quest for popularity tear them apart? Dive into this hilarious tale of friendship and find out!
Picture Book · Ages 5–8 · 2009

I am EXTREMELY absolutely boiling

Lola vows never to forgive Arnold. Can Charlie mend their friendship?

24 pages· 472 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
4.8/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 127 ratings
$3.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: Lola's summer turns sour when her neighbor Arnold knocks her ice cream to the ground and refuses to apologize. Furious, Lola declares she will never forgive him. Her brother Charlie faces the challenge of helping Lola see past her anger and mend the rift. As the heat rises, so do the stakes in this tale of friendship and forgiveness. Will Charlie succeed in changing Lola's mind, or will the summer end with a friendship lost? Discover the twists and turns in this heartwarming story of reconciliation.
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Saying Sorry Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about saying sorry for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Year of the Cat

Ages 4–8 · 2022

Rat's trickery left Cat without a zodiac year. Can an apology mend their friendship?

Tumford the Terrible

Ages 0–3 · 2008

A mischievous cat struggles to say sorry. Can love help him find the words?

Molly & Mae

Ages 4–7 · 2016

Two friends' journey derails. Can they rebuild their bond?

Big Feelings

Ages 4–8 · 2021

Navigate big feelings and find a fresh start through understanding and compromise.

Martha Doesn't Say Sorry!

Ages 4–8 · 2009

An otter learns the power of saying sorry to unlock life's sweet rewards.

Sale price
$899

Mouse Says "Sorry"

Ages 2–4 · 2011

Mouse must use manners to make it home for supper.

Sale price
$799

Elephant Learns to Share

Ages 4–7 · 2021

An elephant learns the joy of sharing after realizing playing alone isn't fun.

Peggy the Always Sorry Pigeon

Ages 4–8 · 2022

A pigeon learns to stop apologizing and stand up for herself.

Sorry, Snail

Ages 3–6 · 2023

Ari's half-hearted apology to a snail spirals into a relentless quest for sincerity.

April & Mae and the Tea Party

Ages 5–8 · 2022

A broken teacup tests a friendship. Can apologies mend the rift?

Ozzie & Prince Zebedee

Ages 3–7 · 2022

A dragon swallows his friend, sparking a town-crunching adventure of apology and forgiveness.

Sonny Says Sorry!

Ages 4–8 · 2022

Sonny opens a forbidden box, revealing a cake. How will they fix their mistake?

View all saying sorry picture books
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