The sorry life of Timothy Shmoe
(Book)

"Timothy Shmoe isn’t a bad kid, but sometimes he makes honest mistakes. Other times, he knows exactly what he’s doing. But time and again, he finds himself in disasters of his own creation, leaving a trail of broken heirlooms, torn tutus, missing marbles—and innocent bystanders (including his cat). Structured as a series of apology letters, commissioned by Dad and written in Timothy’s direct—and not-quite sorry—voice, The Sorry Life of Timothy Shmoe is the tale of a (mostly) well-meaning child, who, through blunders, fumbles, and missteps, creates havoc in the lives of those around him. Many of his antics have minor consequences, but sometimes Timothy goes too far. Releasing Grand-Nanny Gough’s wheelchair brakes on a slanted floor results in her being stuck in a corner. And bringing a pocketful of marbles to his sisters’ ballet recital ensures that the performance nosedives into a chaos of fallen dancers and ruined props—to the exasperation of Timothy’s exhausted parents. In a letter full of remorse, Timothy suggests that Dad must wish he’d never been born and comes up with a surprise to make amends. What follows is a heartwarming tribute to unconditional love as Dad responds that he would only be sorry were Timothy not his son. Hilarious, comic-like illustrations bring Timothy’s shenanigans to life, and hand-lettered text lends an authenticity to his voice. Relatable for many kids and families, TSLofTS offers the spotlight to children who are sometimes misunderstood for their lack of impulse control, and reminds us of the redeeming power of acceptance."--,Provided by publisher.