Sonny Says Sorry!

Following Sonny Says Mine!, Hart and OHora’s second Sonny book finds the little round-headed fox and pals navigating impulse control. While playing hide-and-seek with yellow rabbit Boo, who sports red glasses, and black-and-gray dog Meemo, who’s decked out in exercise wear, green-hatted Sonny discovers an enticing polka-dotted gift box labeled “FOR HONEY”—a pink rodent friend who’s not on the scene. Sonny “really wants to know what’s inside,” but instead of waiting, or even asking first, Sonny opens the box and finds a “huge chocolate cake, covered in juicy, red strawberries!” Meemo barks objections and gestures emphatically to the gift tag, but Sonny and Boo “quick-quick” pick off the decorations and eat half the cake. Honey appears, regards the remaining cake and the chocolate-covered friends, and bursts into tears: “That was MY cake!” Realizing that an apology alone won’t make things right, Sonny instigates a cake-baking project. Is the new cake as conventionally cake-shop chic as the one Sonny and Boo thoughtlessly consumed? Maybe not, but as a symbol of a friendship repaired, it’s delicious. Crisp digital cartooning employs simple shapes, whimsical detailing, and a saturated color palette reminiscent of rainbow cake sprinkles, combining with play-by-play text for an age-appropriate exploration of how to handle regret. Ages 3–6. (Aug.)