The Grumpy Morning

by Pamela Duncan Edwards

illus. by Darcia Labrosse

c1998

isbn: 0590057227

Honestly, there are so many things to love about this book.

Firstly, children love rhyming verse and this one is really cute.

The story follows 10 animals as they wake up on the farm. They are all, well, grumpy because the farmer hasn't been around to milk or feed them.

As each animal is introduced (and complaining), we see them band together as they head toward the farmer's house.

The second thing that I love about this book is that the farmer is a WOMAN! As she cheerfully greets each animal by name, they all begin to smile. They realize by the end that she really does love them all.

Third, what I especially love as a mom is the deeper meaning to this, which is that sometimes kids wake up grumpy and complaining. (It's true!) But us parents always take care of them, even when they're whiny, sulky and bad-tempered. It's fun to call their attention to their bad mood by asking which animal from this story they think they're being "Are you being like hen who complains that her grain is late?"

Educational Value

This is a terrific book to use funny voices for the animals.

There are between 3 - 15 words per page. They are all easy words, but not simple (e.g. thumped, hungry, pellets, squeal).

Children can follow the animals along on each page as they band together to find the farmer.

The pictures are all simple, with the animals as the central characters. There are fields and hay bales in the background, but they do not detract from the story.

Encourage children to imagine what it would be like to have all those animals in a bedroom!?

Bookworm gives this book 5/5 stars