Gruff the Grump (Book)

Smallman, S. (2009). Gruff the grump. Intercourse, PA: Good Books. ISBN: 978-1-56148-669-4

Interest Level: Ages 5 & under
Genre: Picture Book
Subjects/Themes: Bears, Rabbits, Kindness, Grumpiness, Gifts, Moods

Plot: Gruff is a great big grumpy bear.  He lives is a musty dusty cave and doesn't care what anyone else thinks about him.  One day he rescues a rabbit stuck in a tree.  The rabbit gives Gruff a "star" he found as a way of saying thank you.  Gruff brings "star" or golden leaf home which motivates him to clean a part of his cave.  On a different day Gruff rescues the rabbit from the river and is given another star.  Gruff ends up cleaning the rest of his cave but becomes sad at how lonely he feels.  Sad turns to mad and Gruff ends up yelling at the little rabbit when he comes knocking.  The little rabbit starts crying and Gruff tries different things to cheer him up, finally apologizing for his behavior.  The animals become friends and end up playing with all the stars.

Personal Thoughts: Gruff the bear could be any grumpy child.  The giving of gold "stars" by the little rabbit is reminiscent of gold stars children might get in a classroom for good behavior, in Gruff's case in return for being kind and helping someone else.  The story also suggests that cleaning a messy room can help cheer a grumpy person up.  Children might also relate to how the bear snaps at the little rabbit, not because he was mad at the rabbit but because he was upset and lonely.  Acting silly doesn't stop rabbit's tears, but apologizing does (another good lesson for young children).  The illustrations are wonderfully done with colored pencils in fall and forest colors.  A great addition for bear, fall, or kindness themed storytimes.  Also a good picture book in a preschool classroom or at home to help introduce a rewards chart.

Other Books by the Author: The Lamb Who Came For Dinner (2007); There's No Such Things As Monsters! (2009); The Very Greedy Bee (2007); The Monkey with the Bright Blue Bottom (2009); Dragon Stew (2010);