Grumpy Monkey

Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can't understand it--how can he be in a bad mood when it's SUCH a beautiful day? They encourage him not to hunch, to smile, and to do things that make THEM happy. But Jim can't take all the advice...and has a bit of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy?Suzanne and Max Lang's hilarious approach to this very important lesson is now in a toddler-friendly board book format! It is an excellent case study in the dangers of putting on a happy face and demonstrates to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings (though they should be careful of hurting others in the process!).

“"Max Lang's bright watercolors of animals doing their thing are winning accompaniments to the narrative's welcome message that it's OK to be down sometimes ." -- School Library Journal "Suzanne Lang's encouragement to sit with your emotions (thus allowing them to pass) is nearly Buddhist in its take, and it will be great bibliotherapy for the crabby, cranky, and cross. Oscar-nominated animator Max Lang's cartoony illustrations lighten the mood without making light of Jim's mood; Jim has comically long arms, and his facial expressions are quite funny ." -- Kirkus Reviews " Crisp illustrations featuring a broad cast of animated, boldly colored animals against white backgrounds (except a bright red page when Jim really loses it) will draw readers into Jim's situation until the reassuring outcome . Although their helpfulness is part of the problem, the animals are enthusiastic, kind-hearted souls trying to be good friends." --Booklist "A monkey learns to ride out a wave of emotion in this reassuring picture book about feelings ." -- Publishers Weekly”

"Bright watercolors of animals doing their thing are winning accompaniments to the narrative’s welcome message that it’s OK to be down sometimes." —School Library Journal

"Great bibliotherapy for the crabby, cranky, and cross. Oscar-nominated animator Max Lang's cartoony illustrations lighten the mood without making light of Jim's mood." —Kirkus Reviews

"Crisp illustrations featuring a broad cast of animated, boldly colored animals ...will draw readers into Jim’s situation until the reassuring outcome. " —Booklist

"[A] reassuring picture book about feelings." —Publishers Weekly

SUZANNE LANG is the author of the picture books Grumpy Monkey; Families, Families, Families! and Hooray for Kids! When she's not working on picture books she writes and produces animated series and specials.MAX LANG is the illustrator of the picture books Grumpy Monkey; Families, Families, Families! and Hooray for Kids! He is also an Oscar-nominated, BAFTA and Emmy-winning animation director.

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