小女孩 Mei Mei 不小心打破了外婆(Ama)最喜歡的杯子。
她非常害怕,腦袋裡開始出現各種可怕的想像:
- Ama 會不會很生氣?
- 會不會大聲罵她?
- 甚至會不會不要她、把她趕出去?
因為太害怕了,Mei Mei 沒有承認是自己打破杯子。
偏偏現場還有一隻無辜的貓咪 Mimi。結果,Mimi 反而被當成「犯錯的人」。
可是 Mei Mei 看著 Mimi 一直「控訴」她的眼神,心裡的罪惡感越來越重,最後實在受不了了,決定說出真相。
而故事最後並不是責罵,而是外婆給了她一個溫暖的擁抱與原諒。
它其實不只是「打破杯子」的故事,而是在談孩子很熟悉的幾種情緒:
犯錯 → 害怕被罵 → 想逃避 → 內疚 → 鼓起勇氣說實話 → 得到原諒
我覺得這本很有意思的地方,是它沒有把「說謊」寫成單純的壞行為,而是讓孩子看到:
讓孩子知道,承認錯誤雖然需要勇氣,但說出真相之後,事情往往沒有自己想像中那麼可怕。
而且「貓咪被冤枉」這個情節,也讓故事多了一點幽默感,不會整本都沉重。
A New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Book! • J
oin Mei Mei on her hilarious and emotional journey in this dramatic and tenderhearted picture book about guilt and forgiveness, from the acclaimed creator of We Are Definitely Human.
When Mei Mei accidentally breaks her ama's favorite cup, she's convinced it's the end of the world. What if Ama is angry? What if she yells? What if she kicks Mei Mei out of her house? Mei Mei can't face it. But when Mimi, the innocent cat who witnesses her crime, ends up being blamed, the guilt is too much! Mimi's accusing eyes follow Mei Mei until she just can't take it anymore, and the truth comes spilling out.
With vibrant and moody cinematic illustrations and pitch-perfect pacing, X. Fang's newest picture book is filled to the brim with comedic drama and the comforting sweetness of a grandparent's forgiving hug.



