The Sour Grape
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Jory John's The Sour Grape is a sweet, funny picture book filled with warm illustrations by Pete Oswald and great lessons in forgiveness and compassion. Grape used to be sweet, but made some assumptions about why friends missed their birthday party. Now Grape has become sour all the time, holding grudges about everything. The lessons are clearly stated, helping young readers understand their own responsibility in how they react to situations and how empathetic reactions impact the people around them.
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What's the Story?
THE SOUR GRAPE used to be sweet, enjoying time with family and friends. But now they hold grudges against anyone, like when Banana slips and bumps into them or when Orange forgets to call them back. Grape's face gets squished and frowny, and life gets harder. But when Grape makes a mistake too and has time to reflect, they wonder if the key to being happier is to be compassionate to others.
Is It Any Good?
With lots of humor and clear language about forgiveness, this lovely picture book is full of reminders not to always take others' actions personally. It also helps to understand that if someone hurts your feelings it isn't always intentional. The Sour Grape encourages readers to give others the benefit of the doubt and recognize that everyone makes mistakes. Using funny, clear examples, the fruits on these pages teach adults and children alike that life is happier, better, and more fun when we extend empathy to others.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about a time when someone has quickly forgiven them for a mistake, the way Grape learns to in The Sour Grape. How did you feel when your mistake was forgiven? How did you move on?
What can you do to help create situations for compassion and forgiveness?
What other books about friendship and feelings have you read?
Book Details
- Author: Jory John
- Illustrator: Pete Oswald
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Friendship
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Empathy
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
- Publication date: November 1, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 40
- Available on: Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: December 13, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
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The Smart Cookie
Charming read-aloud has messages about learning differences.
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A Big Guy Took My Ball!
Sweet, funny story spotlights the trouble with assumptions.
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The Bad Mood and the Stick
Quirky, whimsical, insightful look at passing moods.
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