STARRED REVIEW! "Messer has arrived at a fine combination here: few words and images, but not too few, and well-chosen to pave the way out of the grumps. The artwork possesses substance and delicacy. Really well turned, with balance, momentum, and all the right notes."—Kirkus Reviews starred review
STARRED REVIEW! "This charming account of handling emotions is a great addition to other children's books about grumpy behavior."—School Library Journal starred review
Can Penguin find a way to turn his grumpy day into a good night?
Have you ever had a grumpy day and not known why? Penguin is having a grumpy day like that. No matter what he does, he just can't shake it! Sometimes the only thing left to do is wash the grumpy day away and start over. The simple text and lively illustrations are the perfect cure for even the grumpiest of days.
- (
Albert Whitman & Co)
Can Penguin find a way to turn his grumpy day into a good night?
- (
Albert Whitman & Co)
When Penguin is having a grumpy day that he just can't shake, the only thing left to do is wash the day away in the bath and start over. - (Baker & Taylor)
"Have you ever had a grumpy day and not known why? Penguin is having a grumpy day like that. No matter what he does, he just can't shake it! Sometimes the only thing left to do is wash the grumpy day away and start over"-- - (Baker & Taylor)
Have you ever had a grumpy day and not known why? Penguin is having a grumpy day like that. No matter what he does, he just can't shake it! Sometimes the only thing left to do is wash the grumpy day away and start over. The simple text and lively illustrations are the perfect cure for even the grumpiest of days. - (Independent Publishing Group)
Claire Messer is a recent graduate of the Cambridge School of Art. She works by hand, using traditional printmaking processes to create her illustrations. She lives in the UK. This is her first book.Claire Messer is a recent graduate of the Cambridge School of Art. She works by hand, using traditional printmaking processes to create her illustrations. She lives in the UK. This is her first book. - (Albert Whitman & Co)
Booklist Reviews
Poor Penguin is grumpy—not for any good reason, just garden-variety grumpiness. The problem is he can't shake it. He takes off his yellow slicker, boots, and hat, but he is still grumpy. Off come his stripy socks (still grumpy), polka dot overalls (still grumpy), and even his heart-spangled underpants, but he is still grumpy. Will he ever be happy again? Luckily, after taking a bath, snuggling up in his favorite pj's, sipping a cup of cocoa, and reading a cozy bedtime story, all is finally well again. Messer's charming block-print illustrations, in stormy blues and grays with bold splashes of color, have a pleasant texture and nicely convey Penguin's emotions, mostly through his emotive eyebrows. The big, expressive images on crisp white pages combine with the large font and straightforward sentences to make this especially well suited for sharing with a group. Little ones will likely giggle over the subtly bashful, disrobing penguin and sympathize with his cloudy mood, and the gentle lesson—grouchiness is fleeting—is a comforting one, for both kids and parents. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.
Publishers Weekly Reviews
When gray storm clouds and a "very bad mood" descend on Penguin, he tackles the situation head-on in this polished study in self-soothing. Arriving home, Penguin takes off his "grumpy coat" and "grumpy boots," and he doesn't stop there: "grumpy overalls" and "grumpy underpants" soon follow, and Penguin proceeds to take a bath, put on his favorite pajamas, and read a book, all of which go a long way to improving his state of mind. Set against crisp white backgrounds, British author-illustrator Messer's handsome hand-printed illustrations are cheeky while still respecting Penguin's emotions (his angry poses and frowny eyebrows speak volumes about his mood). Penguin's ability to bring himself to a more content and optimistic place without any outside or parental help offers concrete, empowering ideas for readers who might be wearing their own grumpy outfits. Ages 4–8. (May)
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School Library Journal Reviews
PreS-Gr 1—Penguin is in a snit of unspecified origins. Readers follow him as he tries to shed his ill humor along with his clothing. Then he counts to three and dives into his tub. With a nice, cold bath; his favorite pajamas; and his treasured book and teddy, Penguin redirects his attention to the little things that make him feel better. The illustrations are done in linoleum prints, pressed with muted hues of blues, with generous occasions of color to create a simple and effective narrative. Penguin's emotions are expressed through subtle facial expressions and gestures, creating a relatable experience. "As Penguin fell asleep, he knew that tomorrow would be a good day because all the grumpiness has been washed away." The text is large and spare for comfortable beginning readers. VERDICT This charming account of handling emotions is a great addition to other children's books about grumpy behavior.—Briana Moore, School Library Journal
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