The Sour Grape

The Food Group #6

by Jory John, Pete Oswald (Illustrator)

The Sour Grape holds grudges for every reason under the sun. Lime never returned a scarf they borrowed? Grudge! Orange never called back? Grudge! But when a friend holds a grudge against the Sour Grape without listening to an explanation, the Sour Grape realizes how unfair grudges can be. Could a bunch of forgiveness and compassion be enough to turn a sour grape sweet?

Jory John and Pete Oswald serve up another heaping plate of laughs and lessons with this empowering, witty, and charming addition to their #1 New York Times bestselling series!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Food, Emotion, Humor, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2022

About the author

Jory John is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time E.B. White Read-Aloud Honor recipient.

Jory's work includes the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Good Egg, and the #2 New York Times bestselling picture book, The Bad Seed, both illustrated by Pete Oswald. He is also the author of the popular picture books, Penguin Problems and Giraffe Problems, both illustrated by Lane Smith, the award-winning Goodnight Already! series, illustrated by Benji Davies, the New York Times bestselling Terrible Two series, the recent picture books Quit Calling Me a Monster! (with Bob Shea), Can Somebody Please Scratch My Back? (with Liz Climo), and the international bestseller, All my friends are dead, among many other books for both children and adults.

Reviews

[Shaghayegh · Rating 4 out of 5]

این‌ دفعه با انگوری مواجهیم که روزی روزگاری گوگولی و مهربون بود. نگرش قشنگی به پیرامونش داشت و دنیا باهاش انگار خوب تا میکرد. میگذره تا روز تولدش میرسه و هیچکسی پیداش نمیشه. یعنی فراموشش کرده بودن؟ تو خاطر کسی نمونده بود؟ انقدر بی‌ارزش بود که به یادش هم نیاوردن؟
بعد اون تولد، انگور رو برمیگردونه. با عالم و آدم بد میشه. انرژی‌ منفی و ترکشش همه رو مستفیض میکنه. اون از روی خوش نشون دادن خیری ندیده بود، حالا با روی سگی به استقبالشون میره. تا چقدر میتونه پیش بره؟ این تنفر و کینه میتونه قلبش رو تا آخر کتاب احاطه کنه؟
این مجموعه از لذت‌بخش‌ترین تجاربم محسوب میشه. موضوعاتی که بزرگ‌ترها هم توش موندن رو به سادگی و با نقاشی‌های زیبا به تصویر میکشه.

[Dann · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sweet.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oof. I took a long, hard look in the mirror after reading this one. I really need to be more "grapeful" and forgiving.

[Susan Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some adults could benefit by reading this charming picture book 😁.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the newest instalment of Jory John and Pete Oswald's series about emotional foodstuffs, a sour grape comes to the realization that, by holding grudges and being negative, they're cheating themselves out of the good things in life: friendship, gratitude, and inner peace.

The illustrations are cute, as they always are in these books. The text is simple, while also utilizing some challenging vocabulary (a feature I always appreciate in picture books when it's done well).

All in all, this is a nice addition to The Food Group series. Check out my reviews for some of the other books:

The Bad Seed
The Good Egg
The Great Eggscape
The Cool Bean
The Couch Potato

[Kathy (Bermudaonion) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since no one showed up for their birthday party, Sour Grape is negative, grouchy, and holds a grudge for the most minor things. When they’re late to meet a similarly negative friend, they realize life would be much better if they had a better attitude.

I loved this sweet picture book for early readers. The illustrations are darling and the message is fabulous! It’s a nice reminder to appreciate the little things.

[Shafira Indika · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUKAAA BANGEEET!! Ceritanya tentang si anggur yang suka marah-marah dan sebel sendiri, makanya judulnya sour grape. Awalnya dia ga separah ini, tapi ada satu kejadian yang bikin dia jadi sebel banget sama temen-temennya dan akhirnya tiap ada sesuatu yg bikin dia kesel, sekecil apapun, dia bakal marah BANGET. Itu kyk pelampiasan amarah dia gara-gara kejadian itu.

Kemudian ada satu kejadian yang bikin dia sadar kalo ngapain sih dia bitter banget? Gak ada yang sempurna padahal. Tiap orang pasti bisa bikin salah, termasuk dia. Selain itu, dimarahin kyk gitu ternyata ga enak yaa... si anggur baru sadar.

Akhirnyaa dia mencoba jadi lebih baik, jadi dirinya yang lama. Walaupun yaa tentunya ada hal-hal yang bikin dia kesel dan marah. Dia bakal tetep kesel juga, tapi ga akan berlama-lama.

Bagus banget sih bukunyaa!! Sebenernya ini buku buat anak-anak tapi aku sukaabangeet karena jadi reminder buatku jugaa hehe. Bakal baca the whole series sihh! So far dah baca 3 buku (sama ini) dari kemaren~

Salah satu kutipan yang kusuka bgt:
"If you look at things in the right sort of way-and if you remember to be kind, considerate, forgiving, and grateful-life really can be pretty sweet."

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to the group. It's really rude being called out by an entire book series though… Date is an estimate. It's been a month.

[Mary Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son bought this with a gift card. He said he had read it at school, and he loved it. When we got home he handed it to me and asked me to read it at bedtime - not to him, but to myself before bed 😂. IT WAS SO GOOD. I feel very *grapeful* that he wanted to share it with me. Good enough to come on here and review it 🥰

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this was SO good! And SPOT ON! I could totally relate. Sometimes we get so worked up over small things that we start sabotaging our own happiness and health and joy. Sometimes our anger is justified, but its unhealthy not to let go. The Sour Grape didnt see that until he saw it reflected in someone else. It was like a wake up call....is that what I'm like? If so....yikes! Maybe I shouldn't be that way. Such a great life lesson in a short and creative book. Love it! Keep em coming Jory John 👍

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jory John's books are so precious, and this one is no exception. I can't wait to share it with my students!

[Barb Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good picture book for teaching social emotional learning skills and literary elements such as play on words, looking closely at pictures to see how they add to text, alliteration and more.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

История за мрънкането и борбата срещу това да си вечно кисел и сърдит.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

We get to meet a sour grape and learn why he wasn't always sour. Great story and illustrations.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If you look at things in the right sort of way --and if you remember to be kind, considerate, forgiving, and grateful -- life really can be pretty sweet."

It wasn't always a sour grape. When it was young, it was taught to be kind and forgiving by grandparents. "No matter what life throws at you -- and there will be a lot -- try to stay sweet." Until one day, no one showed up to Grape's birthday party. That day changed everything. Now Grape takes offense to every little thing anyone does. "I scowled so much that my face got squishy." Until the day that Grape's only friend, Lenny, holds a grudge for something Grape did. Grape realizes "how similar to the way I would react." Grape sees that he needs a change of attitude.

Another great addition to the library.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 5 out of 5]

STILL GOOD!!! This one is about holding grudges and not forgiving others for mistakes. The sour grape grumps around complaining about the ones who have upset or hurt his feelings, never forgiving them!

[Rohan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected more. I did like that his main motivation to stop being sour was cosmetics tho. how relatable

[Joana Alves | Juca Mindscape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uma história ternurenta de uma uva que ficou amarga por tudo o que de triste lhe aconteceu.
É uma história sobre perdão, gratidão, entender o outro e perceber que não temos sempre de estar certos.

[Esme Guza · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I give it 100 stars!"

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book not only for kids, but one that can be gifted to the “Sour Grapes” in my life.

[April Thompson Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be grapeful

[RandomReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the the story, and the idea of introducing the meaning of grudge to children at a very early age.

[Gabriela Sanchez(EDUC378)]

Text-to-World Connection

This week I picked this book, as I had seen it in classrooms but have never read it. I understand now why it may be a big hit in the classroom and why it may be used in the classroom.

The theme for this book is kindness over hate. This could be used not only in the classroom but for everyone. With everything going on in the world, we have to remember to be kind to one another instead of holding grudges and having hate towards someone. There is no more room for hate in this world. Not only that but I like to go by the famous saying "life is too short to hold grudges".

In the book, I observed that the grape was once a sweet grape and then became a sour grape due to a misunderstanding that turned out to be a small mistake he made. Therefore, misunderstandings do happen, talking it out with others is the only way misunderstandings get resolved.

[Hugh Mcdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Sour Grape" by Jory John is a charming and thought-provoking children's picture book. The story centers around a little grape who feels left out because it's not as sweet as its peers. It’s theme of acceptance and self-worth is conveyed beautifully through the author's clever writing and the bright, engaging illustrations. John's use of humor and relatable characters make this a must-read for children and adults alike. I highly recommend this book for the important message it conveys. #McDReads

[Allison Turkish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic in so many ways. I love that there are different color grapes plus raisins as the old people.

This book is perfect for my daughter who complains A LOT. There is no fun in hanging out with a person who acts like a sour grape. Let's learn to stop holding a grudge and to understand that everyone makes mistakes, even ME. Take personal responsibility. Realize what is good in your life. Treat people kindly.

Love it!

[Lisa Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! Many kids do not know how to express their emotions, or find the right words to explain it. This book shows how being upset and holding a grudge can be unhealthy but also to find a way to have a healthy, emotional, and solid relationship with friends. Talking it out is better than holding it in and being angry all the time.

[Haidé (Nox Lectio) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assalto à estante das sobrinhas? Quem?!? Eu? 🤭

A Uva ensina-nos que estar sempre a reclamar, não nos ajuda em nada e nos gasta muita energia!

Mostra-nos que temos de nos responsabilizar pelo que nos acontece e lidar com isso da melhor maneira.

Reclamar e ficarmos amargurados não vai servir de nada!

E vejam bem se não é mesmo assim na vida 😁

[Karen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Jory John's best - and that's saying something.
All about choosing your attitude and being sweet and grateful. It's an important concept to learn, and one that many adults haven't yet figured out.
And, of course, humor and good artwork.

[Amelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BEST BOOK I'VE EVER READ

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book about anger, grudges and mistakes.