Picture Books About Apologies and Forgiveness
by Patricia J. Murphy
Maya Angelou once said, “Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It’s not for the other person.” But, as we all know, it’s 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’s apology.
To offer a helping hand on the first steps of your child’s lifelong journey of practicing forgiving and asking for forgiveness, I’ve 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.
While these books on forgiveness are perfect for little ones, they also offer strategies for the entire family to experience the power of forgiving — and forgetting!
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I'm Sorry You Got Mad
Available from:Saying “I’m sorry” can be challenging for kids. This book is about a boy who hurts his friend’s feelings and can’t figure out how to apologize. Jack learns that he will need more than just words to be forgiven.
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Turtle in a Tree
Available from:Exploring the question “Would you rather be happy or right?”, 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?
The story’s genius use of white space, spare text, sound effects, and humor offers a beautiful lesson on the value of multiple perspectives.
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Sorry (Really Sorry)
Available from:The barnyard is embroiled in one big bad mood fest. It all started when Cow kicked mud in Duck’s 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 “not sorry” into “really sorry,” flip the barnyard’s frown upside down, and mend hurt feelings.
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The Duel
Available from: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.
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That's My Carrot
Available from: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 — and friendship, too!
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The Berenstain Bears Get in a Fight
Available from: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 — and a rainbow appears.
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Kindness Club Squirrel Learns to Forgive
Available from: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.
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Big Red Lollipop
Available from: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 — and a prized party favor. This sweet story of sibling rivalry and forgiveness will become a favorite of sisters everywhere.
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The Invisible Boy
Available from: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’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.
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I Forgive Alex
Available from:A young boy named Alex doesn’t 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’s a must-read for children learning about apologizing to and forgiving each other.
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I'm Sorry!
Available from:Can best friends Scribble and Swoop repair their friendship after a terrible argument? It depends on if the one who caused the riff apologizes — and means it. This heartwarming story will help teach youngsters how to apologize and why it’s not just saying “I’m sorry” with words, but with one's heart.
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Llama Llama and the Bully Goat
Available from: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.
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How to Apologize
Available from:When you’ve 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.
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The Power of One
Available from:This story celebrates ‘the power of one’ 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’s message will touch hearts, the concrete steps that the readers can take will change lives. Warning: this is a powerful read!
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You might also like:
- Books That Model Empathy and Compassion for Young Readers
- Books About Kindness for Kids Ages 3 – 5
- Picture Books To Help Teach the Value of Honesty
- How To Foster Belonging In Our Lives and Schools
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2025.