Publishers Weekly
★ 01/27/2020
At the farm where author and children’s book editor Cotler and artist Bliss’s (Good Rosie!) emotionally honest story is set, bad moods aren’t just contagious—they’re epidemic. Cow, made grumpy by muddy hooves, kicks some muck in Duck’s face; to add insult to injury, she says she did because “I felt like it.... And I’m not sorry.” Duck, now in an equally foul state, picks on Frog, who lashes out at Bird (“Your tweets stink!”), who turns on Goat. Pressed to apologize, they do, but not one is sincere. When Goat accidentally crashes into Pig and refuses to apologize, Pig breaks down (“SNORT SNORT WAAAHHHHH!!!!”). In steps Dog, who knows just what to do: let Pig cry it out, and remind her that they’re friends (“We eat lunch together every day”). Kindness breaks the chain, and apologies and tokens are offered all around before the friends head to the pond for some fun. The animals, rendered expressively by Bliss, learn what kids already know and adults too easily forget: the capacity to say “I’m sorry”—and mean it—is no small thing. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Pippin Properties. Illustrator’s agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Sorry (Really Sorry):
A 2021 CCBC Choice Book!
*"An exploration of the repercussions of a bad mood could have turned into a pedantic moral tale, but Cotler and Bliss' light touch and humorous approach offer insight without judgment. Clever, funny, and true—really." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
*"At the farm where author and children’s book editor Cotler and artist Bliss’s emotionally honest story is set, bad moods aren’t just contagious—they’re epidemic . . . .The animals, rendered expressively by Bliss, learn what kids already know and adults too easily forget: the capacity to say "I'm sorry"—and mean it—is no small thing."—PW (starred review)
"Cotler’s story is a simple yet valuable one, an excellent example for young readers, and a nice reminder for older readers that kindness goes a long way....a smart choice for any collection."—SLJ
School Library Journal
03/01/2020
PreS-Gr 1—Cow ends up with mud on her hooves, and she is not happy. Her bad mood starts a chain reaction of frustration and anger as all the farm animals act out against one another. When Cow makes Duck angry, Duck in turn is mean to Frog, and so on, mimicking the way that children, and adults, are often unable to express their frustration and anger and perpetuate bad feelings. Eventually, Dog stops the cycle when he offers kind words to a distraught Pig. This sparks a change in attitude, and the animals begin making amends. The small gifts and sweet words that the animals share to apologize, including a worm sandwich for Bird and a box of flies for Frog, are also humorous, making the story lighthearted and thoughtful. Bliss's ink and watercolor images add depth to the animals' "Sorry, not sorry" with perfect expressive facial features. VERDICT Cotler's story is a simple yet valuable one, an excellent example for young readers, and a nice reminder for older readers that kindness goes a long way. This would be a smart choice for any collection.—Kaitlin Malixi, Kensington Health Sciences Academy, Philadelphia
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2020-01-12
A chain reaction of spiteful words and actions ricochets across a farmyard until an act of kindness turns things around.
It all starts with Cow. Cross because she's hoof deep in mud, the usually placid Holstein flicks mud onto Duck. Cranky because of Cow's actions and unwillingness to apologize, Duck insults her friend Frog and proffers only an insincere apology. Frog criticizes Bird and refuses to feel remorse. Bird chases Goat from a space they normally share, then Goat butts Pig. Tenderhearted Pig, in turn, cries her eyes out. When Dog comes along to find out what's the matter, Pig passes on the pique, but Dog refuses to bite. He patiently waits through Pig's emotional storm, then reminds her of their long-standing friendship. Dog's compassion prompts a sincere apology, which then boomerangs back through the other animals. The entertaining text moves briskly, filled with interactions that will be amusingly familiar to both readers and listeners. Although they possess the power of speech, the animals are portrayed relatively realistically in Bliss' expressive ink-and-watercolor cartoons. The farm setting includes enough detail to ground the story without distraction from the action while the simply drawn faces, particularly the animals' eyes, convey an impressive range of emotions. An exploration of the repercussions of a bad mood could have turned into a pedantic moral tale, but Cotler and Bliss' light touch and humorous approach offer insight without judgment.
Clever, funny, and true—really. (Picture book. 4-8)
