Grumpy Monkey
#1 of 2 in Grumpy Monkey (Graphic Novels) Series
What’s inside...
Grumpy Monkey is a delightful book that tells the story of a moody monkey named Jim Panzee. Despite having a beautiful day in the jungle around him, Jim wakes up in a bad mood and just can't shake off his grumpiness. His animal friends try to cheer him up but to no avail. The book is an exploration of emotions and the importance of letting oneself feel them. A hilarious picture book about dealing with unexplained feelings and the danger in suppressing them. Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can’t understand it—how can he be in a bad mood when it’s SUCH a beautiful day? They encourage him not to hunch, to smile, and to do things that make THEM happy. But Jim can’t take all the advice and has a BIT of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy? Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson. This picture book is an excellent case study in the dangers of putting on a happy face and demonstrates to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings (though they should be careful of hurting others in the process!).
Character compass
Jim Panzee
Norman
Discussion points
Why do you think the monkey was feeling grumpy?
What do you think could make the monkey feel better?
How do you feel when you are grumpy and what helps you cheer up?
Why is it important to share our feelings with friends or family?
What did you learn from the monkey’s experience in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their own feelings by relating to the monkey’s mood in the story.
Discuss the importance of understanding and respecting others' feelings, using situations from the book as examples.
Ask your child to think of a time they felt similar to the monkey and what they did to feel better.
Reinforce the message that everyone gets grumpy sometimes and that’s okay, emphasizing the ways to cope and find support.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and insights, reinforcing positive engagement and reflection.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing emotions
Explanation: In 'Grumpy Monkey,' the protagonist, a monkey named Jim, is having a bad day and feels grumpy. Despite various animals trying to cheer him up, Jim learns it's okay to not always feel happy.
Real-World Application: Children learn that they can acknowledge their feelings rather than suppress them. It teaches them that it's alright to express when they're feeling down or upset, and encourages honest communication about emotions.
Example Lesson: Respecting feelings of others
Explanation: As other animals accept Jim's feelings without forcing him to be cheerful, it demonstrates respect for personal emotions.
Real-World Application: This prepares children to understand and accept when their friends or family members might be feeling grumpy or sad, promoting empathy and supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: Self-awareness
Explanation: Throughout the story, Jim's journey of recognizing and accepting his own emotions serves as a guide for self-awareness.
Real-World Application: By observing Jim, children can learn to better understand and articulate their own emotions, which is a crucial step in personal development and forming healthy coping mechanisms.