Sue deGennaro, Grumpy Days, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, June 2021, 24 pp., RRP $19.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760507619
Everybody has a grumpy day. Those days when things don’t quite go the right way. Tripping over toys days, hats blown off on windy days, not wanting to share days, and refusing to say sorry days. A little lion has them all. But will he find a smile amongst his grumpy days?
Sue deGennaro, best-selling author and illustrator is no stranger to writing vibrant and engaging picture books. Grumpy Days is a fun and candid addition to the ‘Different Days’ series. Recognising that sometimes things don’t always go the way we want is an important part of growing up especially for young children. And Sue shines a light on the good and the bad and encourages readers to look on the bright side of life.
Lively and fun illustrations of little lion’s adorable expressions and antics highlight the text. Ever present is his lion mum, ready to comfort and cuddle. This opens up for discussion with young children about how to navigate their emotions and provides plenty of opportunity to explore the themes of feelings, family, and actions that come from having a bad day. With humour and honesty, readers will come to appreciate that it is always possible to turn a frown upside down.
Grumpy Days is a simple story with a simple message – sometimes it’s okay to not be okay.
Reviewed by Shelley Stephens
