This Is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness

A parent should reach for this book when their child is struggling to say a meaningful "I'm sorry" or is having a hard time forgiving a friend. This collection of poems is set in a classroom where students write notes of apology for everything from eating a sibling's candy to breaking a toy or teasing a friend. Each apology is often paired with a response, showing both sides of the conflict. It gently explores shame, empathy, and the relief of reconciliation. For ages 5 to 9, this book avoids preachy lessons. Instead, it uses humor and relatable situations to model how to mend relationships, making the difficult acts of apologizing and forgiving feel both normal and achievable.