About This Book
Reach for this book when your child has had a social 'off day' or when the excitement of a special event leads to unkind behavior and subsequent feelings of guilt. It is the perfect tool for navigating the messy aftermath of a friendship rift caused by selfishness or bossiness. Dana, the protagonist, experiences a birthday-fueled power trip that results in her hurting her best friend, Anthony. The story follows her journey from the initial rush of mean-spiritedness to the heavy weight of regret, and finally, her creative and sincere efforts to make amends. Written for the 6 to 9 age range, this early reader offers a realistic look at how pride can make apologizing difficult, while providing a hopeful model for restorative justice and true friendship. It normalizes the fact that even good kids can be 'mean' sometimes, focusing on how we choose to fix our mistakes.
