The Grouchies

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The Grouchies Pub. Date: 10/15/2009 Publisher: American Psychological Association
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The Grouchies Pub. Date: 10/15/2009 Publisher: American Psychological Association

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Overview

What can you do when the grouchies take hold? How can you keep a bad mood at bay?

With funny rhymes and a silly chant, The Grouchies shows kids simple and fun ways to turn around grouchy moods. But most of all, kids will understand how their mood and negativity can affect their family and friends, and really get in the way of having a good day.

An extensive Note to Parents further explains the child's experience and provides parents with easy-to-apply tips and tools for helping their kids when a grumpy day comes along.

iParenting Media Award Winner

"With funny rhymes and a silly chant, The Grouchies shows kids simple and fun ways to turn around grouchy moods."

Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature

Speaking in the first person, the unnamed five-year-old main character explains, in rhyme, why he is grouchy that day. The Grouchies, illustrated as lumpy gray clouds with frowns and furrowed foreheads, tell him that if he grouches and grumps at everyone, he will get his way. The child, illustrated with a large round face that accentuates his deep frown and angrily slanted eyebrows, takes their advice. He yells at his sister, kicks sand at his friends, throws puzzle pieces around his room, and refuses to help his father dry the dinner dishes. At bedtime, when his remarkably patient and empathetic parents ask why he was grouchy all day, he explains the Grouchies' logic to them. In doing so, he realizes that he did not get his way, after all. He made his sister cry, and his friends played with other children instead. His mother admits that she sometimes felt grouchy when she was five, and his father suggests drawing a picture or singing a song rather than let the Grouchies take over. The next morning, when the Grouchies try again, he fends them off with a shield and tells them to go away. Bright yellow happy-face circles, matching the expression on the boy's face, replace the Grouchies. The book concludes with endnotes to parents about ways to beat the Grouchies. Developed by the American Psychological Association, the story provides a way for adults to talk with children about moods, especially bad ones. The rhyming text, however, is frequently awkward and conveys a tone of didacticism, self-congratulation, and simplistic solutions. Reviewer: Cynthia Levinson

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From The Critics

PreS-Gr 1—A five-year-old wakes up in a foul mood and is followed throughout his day by grumpy-faced gray clouds that want him to join up with them. His funk begins with oatmeal at breakfast, then an encounter with his sister in which he yells and grabs back his bear, followed by a refusal to wave to friends at the playground and a little kick of sand in their direction. More and more grouchies accumulate overhead. Inevitably, the day ends with an emotional meltdown: his puzzle pieces won't fit, and he yells at his father. At the end of this frustrating day, his caring Dad says, "the grouchies could be strong and make their way sound good. But rude and grumpy actions are never understood." Fortunately, the child wakes the next morning followed by yellow, smiling faces after having support, love, and understanding from his parents. The text and artwork engage children with rhymes embedded within the prose and simple cartoon drawings. The story is followed by extensive endnotes to parents explaining much about the emotional life of children and counseling that a grumpy child may be experiencing many things, among them fear, feelings of anxiety, sadness, guilt, even hunger. A useful book for caregivers.—Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781433805431
Publisher: American Psychological Association
Publication date: 10/15/2009
Pages: 32
Sales rank: 560,420
Age range: 3 - 6 Years
Product dimensions: 10.10 (w) x 8.10 (h) x 0.40 (d)

Meet the Author

Debbie Wagenbach, better known as "Miss Debbie" to the children who come to hear her storytimes at Burlington, Iowa Public Library, has been promoting library programs for twenty years. Nothing gives her greater pleasure than watching her youngest patrons blossom into thriving adolescents and well adjusted adults. She loves hanging out with her family on Friday nights. Debbie adores her 29 "niblings" (nieces and nephews) and three "great-niblings." She is warmed by their smiles and challenged by their "grouchies."

Steve Mack grew up a prairie boy on Canada's Great Plains and has drawn for as long as he can remember. His first lessons in art were taught to him by watching his grandfather do paint-by-numbers at the summer cottage. He has worked for greeting card companies and has illustrated several books. Steve lives peacefully on a lake in Saskatchewan with his wife and two small children. He still loves to illustrate but now thinks fishing holds a close second place.

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MomsChoiceAwards

Posted July 20, 2010

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A Mom's Choice Awards Recipient!

The Grouchies is a recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. The Mom's Choice Awards honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of PBS's Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, and New York Times best-selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books. . Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families.
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mommaof2boys

Posted January 22, 2010

Great book for your toddler/preschooler!

I purchased this book for my almost 4 year old who has a bit of a "mood issue" lately. Its FANTASTIC! Cute, witty, speaks the perfect language for my son. he completely related and thought it was so funny! and im going to make him a "grouchies shield" like they have in the book and little "sun smiles" too... a must have if you have a child from about 2.5 and up! They are forever changing moods and this book was great for helping him become aware of it!! I even got a kick out of reading it
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Anonymous

Posted December 16, 2010

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The Grouchies

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Overview

All Available Formats + Editions

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Overview

Related Subjects

Editorial Reviews

Children's Literature

From The Critics

Product Details

Meet the Author

Rating Distribution

A Mom's Choice Awards Recipient!

Great book for your toddler/preschooler!