Book: "Grumpy Bird"

“Grumpy Bird”, written and illustrated by Jeremy Tankard, takes the idea of waking up on the wrong side of the bed and just walks with it. Bird can’t shake that grumpy feeling and so heads out for a walk, encountering delighted (if a bit curious) friends who offer to join him. Not taking the hint, each animal friend brings along a joyful attitude until Bird can’t help but be joyful as well.

The cover of "Grumpy Bird".
"Grumpy Bird", written and illustrated by Jeremy Tankard.

There isn’t much to say for a plot, no ups and downs, but rather the straight-line to a celebratory end. But along the way Tankard shows us vivid, lively, and engaging illustrations that belies the protagonists attitude.

A page from the book. Bird continues walking past several forest friends.
The illustration throughout the books is vivid and engaging-- bold brush strokes over photographs of various habitats, each character brought into focus with deep hues and friendly faces.

I wouldn’t use this as a bedtime story, but rather a morning story— “time to get clothes changed and out the door!“.

Lots of dialogue between a calvacade of animals, so prepare your animal voices in advance. Read with lots of emotion.

I recommend it.