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I'm Not Grumpy!
At the edge of the forest lives a little mouse. He's the grumpiest and grouchiest mouse for miles around until he meets a little lost badger, who desperately needs his help. A heartwarming tale about the happiness that comes from making friends.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2019
2 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Steve Smallman
912 books70 followersSteve Smallman lives in Staffordshire with his wife, two dogs and two cats. He has four children and a grandchild. Steve has been illustrating children’s books for almost 30 years and writing his own stories for slightly less. He also teaches illustration workshops in schools, including mural-painting. Steve is the author of Smelly Peter the Great Pea Eater (Winner of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2009) and The Lamb Who Came for Dinner (Shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award and read by Meatloaf on CITV's Bookaboo). When he’s not working, Steve enjoys films, television, gardening and walking in the countryside.
Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:
I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.
I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.
I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.
I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.
I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.
Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:
I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.
I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.
I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.
I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.
I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 25, 2020
Leuk prentenboek! Mooie tekeningen en het verhaal vond ik echt heel lief.
January 10, 2024
Uwielbiam tę historię i uwielbiam styl ilustracji w tej książce.
May 20, 2019
Kärttyisen hiiren ovelle tupsahtaa eksynyt mäyrä ja tätä äidin luo autellessaan hiiren kärttyisyys vähitellen sulaa. Peruskauraa ystävyyden merkityksestä, mutta ihan kohtalaisen luettavana versiona. Ja kansi on ainakin minusta aika jepa.
February 22, 2019
Lihaa ja perunoita kuvakirjahyllyyn. Ei mitenkään erityisen huono, mutta näitä tämmöisiä elukkatarinoita on Mäkelältä nähty jo ihan riittämiin.
June 15, 2019
❤️❤️❤️
October 2, 2019
First sentence: Mouse was in a grumpy mood.
Premise/plot: I’m Not Grumpy is a predictable yet enjoyable storybook for parents to read aloud to their children. Mouse, our hero, is misunderstood, right? Surely he’s not grumpy! And perhaps he is slightly cranky at the start, but doesn’t he have a good reason? I mean who could be cheerful when you discover that a HUGE bottom (badger bottom) was blocking all of their front door?! But Mouse doesn’t stay grumpy, as his kindness increases, his grumpiness decreases.
My thoughts: I had high expectations for this one based on the cover alone. Yes, I judged this book by its cover. I was not at all disappointed with the illustrations. I loved, loved, loved them so much. That opening spread where we see the badger bottom, the adorably fuzzy badger bottom, was great. There are many scenes that I love. But the story itself was only so-so for me personally. I found it predictable, a tad moralizing, a bit wordy. I liked it well enough, but didn’t love it.
Text: 3/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Total: 8/10
Premise/plot: I’m Not Grumpy is a predictable yet enjoyable storybook for parents to read aloud to their children. Mouse, our hero, is misunderstood, right? Surely he’s not grumpy! And perhaps he is slightly cranky at the start, but doesn’t he have a good reason? I mean who could be cheerful when you discover that a HUGE bottom (badger bottom) was blocking all of their front door?! But Mouse doesn’t stay grumpy, as his kindness increases, his grumpiness decreases.
My thoughts: I had high expectations for this one based on the cover alone. Yes, I judged this book by its cover. I was not at all disappointed with the illustrations. I loved, loved, loved them so much. That opening spread where we see the badger bottom, the adorably fuzzy badger bottom, was great. There are many scenes that I love. But the story itself was only so-so for me personally. I found it predictable, a tad moralizing, a bit wordy. I liked it well enough, but didn’t love it.
Text: 3/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Total: 8/10
April 3, 2022
Que fofuuuuuuuuuuuuura!
November 20, 2021
I'm Not Grumpy is an enjoyable read about a mouse who appears to be grumpy until he meets badger who needs his help and they become friends allowing everyone to see who mouse really is.
This is a great story and I like how we got to see mouse misunderstood as it shows how we can sometimes make judgements and be wrong which would make us frustrated as it did mouse. It makes for a nice reminder not to make quick judgements before you learn about the situation. The children liked seeing mouse making a friend and didn't think he was really that grumpy by the end.
The illustrations are very cute and they show emotions on the characters very well. I picked this book to read to the children as I wanted something with emotions in it and I think this book did a great job of showing grumpiness and how emotions can change when the circumstances you find yourself in does.
The children enjoyed this book and seeing all the animals and it is a lovely book focusing on grumpiness and the power of friendship. A great read.
This is a great story and I like how we got to see mouse misunderstood as it shows how we can sometimes make judgements and be wrong which would make us frustrated as it did mouse. It makes for a nice reminder not to make quick judgements before you learn about the situation. The children liked seeing mouse making a friend and didn't think he was really that grumpy by the end.
The illustrations are very cute and they show emotions on the characters very well. I picked this book to read to the children as I wanted something with emotions in it and I think this book did a great job of showing grumpiness and how emotions can change when the circumstances you find yourself in does.
The children enjoyed this book and seeing all the animals and it is a lovely book focusing on grumpiness and the power of friendship. A great read.
June 3, 2019
A grumpy mouse lives alone in the forest and decides to help a lost little badger find its mother; Miss 4 thought the book was okay.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
September 8, 2019
This book is a cute little book for kids that are having a bad day. Little Mouse is always grumpy but when he does something to help someone else he gets really happy. Little Mouse was known by everyone in the forest as the grumpy mouse, but by the end of the story he was not grumpy anymore. He felt accomplished.
September 9, 2019
The grumpy mouse who lives alone helps the lost badger find his mom. Along the way, they meet other animals who help too.
Smallman shows the emotions beyond the grumpiness without hammering it too hard. The mouse seems grumpy but is really lonely and changes completely when someone needs him and he finds friends.
Smallman shows the emotions beyond the grumpiness without hammering it too hard. The mouse seems grumpy but is really lonely and changes completely when someone needs him and he finds friends.
October 5, 2019
I love Steve Smallman books, and I absolutely adore Caroline Pedler illustrations. I knew the moment I saw this book that I would love it, and I did. I'm currently culling my overflowing bookshelves, and very few are being kept. Even fewer new ones are being added, but this one has gone straight on my Christmas wish list.
February 1, 2020
I didn't know what to expect when I started reading this book but it ended up being a great book. The pictures were awesome and I loved how they fill up each page. I also liked the lesson the book had about how making friends is always a good idea and that some people just need a friend to cheer up.
May 16, 2021
Oh, my gosh. The mouse on the cover is the cutest thing, but the story was lacking for me. The squirrel denies that he's grumpy and then his problem is solved because he found friends. Good for the youngest readers, but not the best story arc. Extra points for the adorable art.
June 1, 2021
3.5 Stars I am grumpy, it's a book about me.. except the mouse is Grumpy and giving him a hug will make him less grump. Don't hug me... that will make me more grumpy!
I like the team work and the selflessness to get badger back to mama.
Cute little book!
I like the team work and the selflessness to get badger back to mama.
Cute little book!
January 28, 2024
This story sort of grew on me. I hated it the first time my daughter asked me to read it to her, but I've come to appreciate it...if not love it. My daughter likes the illustrations and enjoys pointing out and naming the animals. It wold be improved with a rhyme.
April 10, 2019
"Minä en ole kärttyinen! ... ainakaan enää."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2019
Grumpy Mouse has a mood changing experience when they help a little lost badger.
May 23, 2020
I love that this cute book makes a point far beyond 'dont be grumpy'.
August 25, 2023
giro para trabalhar as emoções e ao mesmo tempo o tema da amizade.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2024
Found in L4L Volume 103
November 14, 2019
“Because now I have friends” He said “And friends -well, THAT IS JUST WHAT I NEED!”
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews