When Paxton learns that you can get whatever you want if you say the magic word, even if you wish for a walrus. The Magic Word is a totally hilarious cautionary tale. Dragon realizes her mistake and offers an apology-and then more than makes up for it! Gentle text prompts readers to encourage Dragon to tell the truth and apologize for her mistake, even though it’s a tough thing to do. In this sweet story, Dragon blames someone else for her own mistake. Tell the Truth, Dragonby Bianca Shultze, illustrated by Samara Hardy My daughter thought this was hilarious, and I liked the valuable life lesson!

Rude Cake will have to learn to say please or he’ll be a cyclops hat forever. One particular rude cake is mistaken for a hat by a giant cyclops who thinks he is a hat. (One not-sincere example is, “ Mom told me I had to apologize for putting your doll in the fishbowl or I can’t go outside and play baseball. The examples show animals acting out apologies and because most of them aren’t good apologies, end up being quite funny. It gives readers examples of what not to do (don’t make excuses) and what to do (be sincere). Use this gentle, instructive guidebook to teach children about apologizing. It talks about how hard it can be but that it’s important because it makes both you and the other person feel better. How to Apologize by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka It’s a full-on meltdown until he realizes that mouse got cheese simply by saying please. You’ll crack up at this book showing animals with good manners and cat who stops and fumes and demands CHEESE. Everyone Says Please (Except Cat) by Jamie Michalak, illustrated by Katie Mazeika

The Thank You Dish by Trace Balla