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READING STYLE GUIDE

The Opposite of Happy

5/30/2016

2 Comments

 

Grumpy Pants by Claire Messer

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It's official.
This is my current picture book favorite.

I am enamored with Penguin. Note the pose. Note the way he rocks red boxers with tiny hearts, even with flippers and a wisp of a protruding tail. He is sporting a bright yellow slicker with matching rain hat and boots, which is interesting attire for a bird with waterproof feathers. Not everybody can pull off this look. But Penguin manages to achieve definite panache.

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When it's not going well outdoors, Penguin determines that he has had enough.  He moves his bad mood indoors.
Maybe shedding all that wet clothing will help improve his attitude.
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After a relaxing bath, he dons comfy pajamas, sips hot chocolate, reads his favorite stories, and slips blissfully into slumber land.
It would seem that all is well with his world.
​Maybe.
​

A surprise greets the careful reader who continues reading, and then finally closes the book.
​
Wait for it...
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Behold the back cover.
It brilliantly illustrates the difficulty of turning around a bad day. 
​
For it is indeed a truth universally acknowledged that sometimes a difficult day is not so easily discarded. (Apology to Jane Austen)



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I shared Claire Messer's Grumpy Pants with several young and not-so-young readers who were experiencing a "grumpy pants" moment. They appreciated how the book acknowledges the bad moods which occur in all of our lives. Grumpiness notwithstanding, these test readers were captivated by the Penguin with an attitude.
Ultimately it's easy to get lost in the charm of Penguin's plight. Both illustrations and text work together to provide delightful reading.

​​Thanks Claire Messer for this little gem.
​I hope that we will see more of Penguin in future books.


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* * * * * * * * * * * * *
​Bonus: I am in love with these end papers. I want to paper my mud room with this charmingness.

Companion book

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Judith Viorst's classic Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day makes an excellent companion read. 
​Pair both books for any good or not-so-good day.
2 Comments
Nocturnals World link
5/31/2016 01:06:35 pm

Haha, I loved reading this review. Your description of this moody little penguin made me chuckle. I always love picture books of animals -- I can't resist smiling at all the adorable illustrations. I'll have to keep an eye out for this one!

Reply
Barbara
6/1/2016 08:48:06 pm

I agree
Messer's skill with both linoneum prints and clever wordplay make this picture book a standout.
Such a delight!

Reply



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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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