It's too sunny, his bananas are too sweet, and nothing feels right.
Jim is grumpy! That's what Norman tells him, and Marabou. And Lemur and Snake and all the other animals.
Jim doesn't think he's grumpy, though.
No matter what evidence his friends give him, Jim isn't having any of it.
He's not grumpy!
As Jim wanders through the jungle, his friends ask him questions about his frown and encourage him to sing and swing with them. And give him lots of other advice, too.The animals in Grumpy Monkey are full of life and character. One of my favourite pages is a double-page spread with ten different animals depicted suggesting things Jim should do to improve his mood.
There's Hippo taking a bath, Frog jumping up and down, Snake hugging someone (possibly a rabbit!), and Hyena laughing.
Jim eventually comes to terms with his feelings and decides it's okay to grumpy sometimes, as long as it's not all the time. He also discovers that sometimes things hurt, but they do get better. And that sharing his feelings with a friend can help him feel better, too.
A great story for kids, parents and teachers.
Whether you're having bad day or a good one, with its relevant and relatable plot, and illustrations full of humour, Grumpy Monkey will make you smile.
Title: Grumpy Monkey
Author: Suzanne Lang
Illustrator: Max Lang
Publisher: Scholastic Australia, $ 17.99
Publication Date: September 2020
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760975098
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture book
