Grumpy Bird

"When Bird woke up, he was grumpy. He was too grumpy to eat. He was too grumpy to play. In fact, he was too grumpy to fly. 'Looks like I'm walking today,' said Bird." And walk he does, encountering a succession of friends, each of whom join him on his stroll. Will Bird stay grumpy, despite his many cheerful followers, or will his sense of fun assert itself...?

Jeremy's Tankard's debut picture-book, Grumpy Bird offers an entertaining look at an experience we have all had, at one time or another. Sometimes we're grumpy for no good reason, and our mood has to run its course. I appreciated the fact that Bird's friends didn't try to cheer him up, that they simply accompanied him on his journey. That made the conclusion, in which Bird show more rediscovers his will to fly, all the more satisfying. The bright illustrations are eye-catching, and will hold young readers' attention. All in all, I found this an appealing little book, and intend to seek out the next - Boo Hoo Bird. show less

A great story about getting bird out of a funk. Very relatable for kids and parents. The illustrations are fun and colorful, I just wish the library hadn't put a pocket on the last page. It doesn't cover any major parts of the illustration but I still found it frustrating.

I wished for more of a narrative arc--the bird started out grumpy and then all of a sudden everyone was having a goofy fun time for some reason--but really the latter is just as true to human psychology (to say nothing of that of grumpy birds), and more importantly this is a board book and doesn't have room for many pages.

Jeremy Tankard’s wonderful book, Grumpy Bird, is a favourite in my library. Bird is grumpy when he wakes up. So grumpy, in fact, that he decides he is too grumpy to fly. As he walks around his neighbourhood he meets up with his various friends including Sheep, Raccoon and Fox. They soon help Bird forget he was ever grumpy in the first place.
The bold drawings, and simple repetition make this a great book for younger students, but older students and staff have enjoyed it too. It never fails to bring a smile to my face as I read it, and it is wonderful as a read-aloud.
We were lucky enough to host Jeremy for two author visits last year; his presentations were wonderful, and our students were enthralled. Fans of Grumpy Bird will be show more thrilled to hear there is a sequel available; in Boo Hoo Bird, Bird recovers from a bonk on the head with a little help from his animal friends…

Also posted at: http://manybooksmanyvoices.wordpress.com/2009/11/19/grumpy-bird/ show less

Bird wakes up grumpy! He's so grumpy he doesn't even want to fly so he walks. Sheep wants to come along and joins. Then Rabbit tags along. And Racoon, until all the animals are following Grumpy Bird. They Walk when he walk, and jumps when he jumps until Grumpy Bird realizes he's not so grumpy anymore.

A very cute board book, aimed at teaching kids it's okay to feel grumpy because cheering up is the best part. The illustrations are very vivid and convery Grumpy Bird's emotions well: The text is very smartly written and even has a little sarcasm so he sounds like we all sound when we get grumpy.

When Bird woke up, he was grumpy. But his friends helped him have a better day. He has a lot of friends.

This is a nice book to encourage kids to live in the moment. If you feel grumpy, go ahead. But as soon as you don’t, roll with that, too. This was my 4yo’s favorite book when he was 3. He’s graduated on past board books now, but I still read it to him sometimes.

A great story about getting bird out of a funk. Very relatable for kids and parents. The illustrations are fun and colorful, I just wish the library hadn't put a pocket on the last page. It doesn't cover any major parts of the illustration but I still found it frustrating.