I’m Sorry You Got Mad

I invited Kyle to join me at the Children’s Book Corner after having read a review copy of his funny yet serious picture book that captures authentic feelings in such an immediate and kid-friendly way. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him, and I’m pleased to introduce Kyle and this relevant book to Children’s Book Corner readers.

Judy Bradbury: Tell us about this project: What seeded its creation? How did you conceive of the story’s arc? What inspired the use of letters in the storyline?

Kyle Lukoff: The idea originally came to me while I was brainstorming ideas for my second novel. I thought the idea of writing a story in the form of apology notes was an interesting one, but ultimately set it aside as too challenging for longer fiction. Then in summer of 2020, after leaving my school library job—and realizing that COVID would dramatically impact my ability to generate income via school visits—I was casting about for new picture book ideas and realized that the apology note one was perfectly suited for that kind of storytelling. So I started writing notes like “Sorry” “Sorry Zoe” “Dear Zoe, I’m sorry you got mad,” and let the story—which is to say, the central conflict and what caused that conflict—come to me in the moment.

JB: Tell us about a challenge you faced in the creation of I’m Sorry You Got Mad, or provide a memorable (or humorous!) anecdote related to the writing of the book. 

KL: The book was originally titled “Dear Zoe,” until Betsy Bird suggested the current, and far superior, title. The reason why I chose the name Zoe is because there was someone in my life named Zoe that I hadn’t spoken to in years, because I was still very mad. I knew that naming the character Zoe was a dare to myself, to repair that relationship before the book came out. And I did! We’re friends again.

JB: What is one unexpected joy that came from the creation of I’m Sorry You Got Mad?

KL: The number of women I’ve heard from or about, who have said that they’ve given this book to their husband, or joked about how this book could have saved their marriage.

JB: What is your favorite illustration in the book? Why?

KL: Jack, standing in front of Ms. Rice, his whole body stiff with rage. I have been there.

 Illustration © Julie Kwon

JB: What would surprise readers to learn about you or about the writing of I’m Sorry You Got Mad?

KL: I think this is the best book I’ve ever written!

JB: Who do you perceive your target audience to be and why?

KL: At this point, anyone. It’s aimed most closely at first through fourth graders, but it absolutely could be used as a writing resource for much older students, or a lesson for adults. I even heard of a manager buying it for his supervisors.

JB: What do you hope young listeners / readers will take away from I’m Sorry You Got Mad?

KL: Oh, I don’t know. I hope that readers will take away from it something that is useful, or delightful, or particular for them. I think this book is relatable for anyone who’s ever been mad, or been gotten mad at, which is to say, everyone.

JB: How do you see I’m Sorry You Got Mad connecting to curriculum or being used in learning settings?

KL: There are the obvious social-emotional lessons that come from this, but I’ve also heard of teachers using it to teach revision and letter-writing, which is really cool.

JB: What do you remember about the first book that made an impact on you?

KL: That’s like asking me to remember my first breath, or my first heartbeat. Books were central to my childhood and continue to be central to my life. I do remember having my mind blown by There’s A Monster at The End of this Book, though. I don’t love meta-fiction like I used to, but that one is the most perfect example ever written.

JB: What project(s) are you currently working on?

KL: So many! One is currently a very secret project that I can’t wait to share about. But I’m also revising my first young adult novel, which is the most fun I’ve ever had while writing a novel.

JB: What is one question you wish I had asked, and what is your answer?

KL: Question: Aside from Zoe, what are the meanings behind the other names?

Answer: Ms. Rice is named after one of my teacher friends from the school I worked at, who is the picture of calm competence in the classroom. I chose the name Jack because I worked with a lot of students named Jack, who often needed these kinds of supports. And Ben and Jeremy are named after two friends of mine, who were delighted to be the “bad guys” in a story.

Also written by Kyle Lukoff