One Little Word

This book tells the story of a group of friends who end up having an argument at the playground. Their resentment grows and grows until the argument turns into a big, hairy monster who ruins all their fun.

It was so heartwarming to read this book! I adored how cute it was, and the drawing style with the purple and green accents was phenomenal. It is such an important book for children, I will definitely pick this one up when I have my own child.

Many thanks to Netgalley/the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

“One Little Word” by Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Allison Colpoy.
A picture book for children 3 years and up, “One Little Word” follows two best friends playing at a park. After an incident happens between the friends they go their separate ways. That gives a monster a chance to appear and you see the monster in the beautiful illustrations take over the playground.

Now the friends have a monster at the park with them, that keeps growing with every negative interaction between the two children. With every moment that continues to pass between them, the monster gets bigger, it doesn’t even fit in the playground. Until the children come together and exchange one little word that starts shrinking the monster.

One Little Word is perfect for young children, the illustrations relay the story visually for those too young to read. And, the words of Coelho are lyrical and make for a great read-a-loud book. Children will be curious to find out how those two best friends ended up making the monster at the playground disappear. Share the importance of apologizing and forgiveness with this children’s book. A great way to discuss emotions for young minds in a soft manner that will still reach and impact them.

I read this book for free thanks to NetGalley in exchange for my honest feedback.

I love this book. It beautifully describes an argument and how it can get between friends by describing how it grows by using a monster.

I definitely want to own my own copy of this for my classroom when it is published this summer.

Thank you!

"The argument came from nowhere.
It sat huge and bloated
in the middle of the playground
between me and my best friend."

God, this is so interesting. There is a big monster that grows from the argument of two best friends. One little word is "Sorry". Saying sorry can fade, eliminate, and minimize arguments. A sweet story to learn to forgive each other and not fighting with your friends. the illustrations are cute too

This is a wonderful story. Beautiful illustrations. The two main characters are BIPOC and that's so refreshing to see diversity. It's important for young readers to see someone who looks like them.I also like that the book rotates - that's really fun. The message is great and the "Argument" isn't frightening. I would recommend this book to other parents and caregivers.

I loved Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoys first book together 'My Beautiful Voice' and was very excited to see they have a new book coming out together. This book did not disappoint and is equally as wonderful as their first. One Little Word is full of vibrant illustrations in an eye catching painted style that really grabs your attention. The story itself is written so well, I haven't seen another story that touches on the topic of arguments and apologising so perfectly.

Absolutely wonderful! Together, Joseph Coelho and Allison Colpoy have created a masterpiece which deserves to be in every primary school in the country. This is a book to be shared again and again and there is so much for children to talk about and explore.
Every page, every word, every illustrative detail has been so carefully crafted to help children recognise and understand what happens to them both emotionally and physically during an argument. Allison Colpoy’s attention to detail as she crafts the faces of both protagonists and their supportive friends would provide so much material for discussion, either in the classroom or in an assembly.
The characters are enchanting, and the reality of ‘The Argument’ seen alongside its growing impact on all the children is fascinating. The use of colour and light as the children finally run out of emotional fire and find the courage to use that all important word ‘sorry’ brings such joy.
This is a truly remarkable book which has the power to make a tremendous impact. Lucky the educator that gets to use this with their students, and lucky the children to have such a book to help them understand what happens when the inevitable argument happens, and so importantly, how to fix it!

I loved this little book, as did my 4yo. The pictures are so vibrant, and the story is meaningful. I would read again.

I got this on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

This was a really great picture book and it shows the way an argument grows (especially among kids, but also in general) like a beast that takes over everything! Will 100% include this in future lessons about emotions and friendships!

A lovely way to show emotions. This story is beautifully written and the images are exquisite. A definite addition to the PSHE library when it is published.

I thought that this was a really well written book and I loved the positive message that comes through in the writing.

It was easy to read and follow and the layout of the book was nice, clear, bright and attractive too and it dealt with the topic really well showing how an argument can get bigger and bigger before saying sorry, when it starts to shrinks and disappear

The illustrations worked well with the story and helped bring it all to life.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, very highly recommended!

A perfect read-out-loud tale about the impact of emotions and how to navigate them.

One Little Word tells the story of two best friends whose argument erupts on the playground manifesting in a monster that disturbs the friends' time.

This picture book was an inclusive, whimsical tale, with pastel illustrations bringing out the best in this simple yet beautiful art style.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Frances Lincoln Children's Books for the ability to read and review this book early!

One little word can make all the difference. This book helps young ones with their big emotions. The illustrations provide a visual of how an argument can affect you, your best friend, and even those around you. A big purple monster represents the argument on the playground. All while the main character either ignores it or says more mean words to it, the argument monster grows. The argument leads to a big blow up, and the characters burst with emotion.

I love the illustrations. The book takes something complex and invisible and turns it into something that can be seen and dissipated.

This book was so cute! First of all, I love the diversity. The illustrations are beautiful and inclusive. The author does a great job of showing how a tiny argument can grow, but also how it needs to slowly shrink before it can disappear. This is a great book for kids!

Argument is a large, ugly bloated monster that grows and grows during a disagreement between two friends in the playground. I love that the book focuses on one single moment but that moment has so much to explore and so much emotion. The children learn how to deal with this monster.
The artwork is very pleasant with a traditional vibe to it and pastel colors very whimsy. The book has an amazing poster-like double page that translates well the epitome of their fight.
I love books that design the font to express emotion and this does it well.

This book is perfect for any kids going into elementary school! It's a great read-aloud for parents and kids to navigate tricky feelings. We all remember getting into fights with our friends in school and this shows how saying sorry can help heal that hurt. I enjoyed the brightly colored illustrations, diverse representation, and the personification of an argument as a monster. The book is fun to read while still managing to teach a great lesson.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC of this title. This sweet book is geared toward younger elementary kids and is very relatable - the feelings two friends have when they get in an argument. At first, it feels huge and overwhelming, as the argument monster on the playground indicates. After the climax of the fight, the friends realize that “sorry” goes a long way. It’s a cute book that puts into words the strong feelings students may have as their friendships ebb and flow.

4.5/5, rounded up to 5

I received this ARC thanks to Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

10 stars! Joseph Coelho gave the world the perfect way to not only explaines arguments and feelings attached, he made it fun. Very fun. I know adults who could use this book, but children will be able to really visualize and grasp the concept of fighting and apologies.

Consider making a high school or office atmosphere version.