Sweet & Sour Lily

Reach for this book when your child comes home from school feeling like they have already been labeled as the 'naughty kid' or when a first impression has gone sideways. It is a gentle, relatable story about Lily, a six-year-old who starts first grade with more energy than impulse control. After a few rocky interactions with her teacher and peers, Lily feels the heavy weight of being 'sour' rather than 'sweet.' The book beautifully explores the feelings of shame and the fear that one mistake defines who you are forever. Written for the 6 to 9 age range, it serves as a perfect bridge for early readers moving into chapter books. It provides a roadmap for how to apologize, how to forgive oneself, and how to realize that every day (and every person) offers a chance for a fresh start.