I’m Sorry You Got Mad

In this witty epistolary classroom drama, a student struggles to apologize to a classmate about a knocked-over block castle. Jack’s first effort, scrawled on lined notebook paper, reads “DEAR ZOE, I’M SORRY YOU GOT SO MAD!!!” When teacher Ms. Rice has him try again, he’s shown grinding away furiously at the pencil sharpener. There’s improvement, but Jack next tackles the misdeed passively: “I’m sorry FOR REAL that your castle got knocked over.” After Ms. Rice explains that apologies have three parts—“1) What I did 2) That I’m sorry 3) And I’ll help you fix it”—a more nuanced understanding of the incident emerges. “I wanted to play in it with you. But Ben and Jeremy said I couldn’t because castles are for girls.” Jack’s almost there (“Can we check in about your letter?” Ms. Rice writes), but there’s more to come before Zoe receives a complete note. Polished renderings by Kwon (Waiting for Tomorrow) reveal the peers’ grimaces, side-eyes, and clowning, offering believable classroom context as Lukoff (There’s No Such Thing as Vegetables) writes a sparkling examination of messy feelings and meaningful apologies. Classmates are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3–7. (Aug.)