We’ve all had those days—waking up late for school, getting into a disagreement with your young brother or sister, and not doing so well on a math exam. As hard as you might try, having a bad day and being grumpy is sometimes unavoidable.
In honor of National Grouch Day, we’ve gathered some books that everyone can relate to on days like these. Sometimes all you need is a good book to make your bad day better!
The Very Cranky Bear
By Nick Bland (Ages 3-5)
The Very Cranky Bearis an adorable picture book that is sure to make you smile. This rhyming, read-aloud text will show little ones the importance of sharing with others. Moose, Lion, Zebra, and Sheep take shelter in a cave on a cold and rainy day, only to realize that a bear is there. The bear roars loudly and says that he is trying to sleep. Not understanding why the bear is so cranky, the other animals come up with ways to cheer up the bear. Moose finds antlers for him, Lion gives him a mane, and Zebra paints on stripes. Is there anything the four well-meaning friends can do to help the bear sleep?
How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad!
By Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Mark Teague (Ages 3-5)
The award-winning team of Jane Yolen and Mark Teague has created another fun and engaging book in the New York Times bestselling How Do Dinosaurs series. How Do Dinosaurs Say I’m Mad? helps children learn to handle anger and frustration, and parents discuss the topic with humor, warmth, and love. Young readers will laugh at the antics of an Afrovenator’s tantrum and a storming Pachyrhinosaurus, and will love to R-O-A-R with all the dinosaurs. Brimming with humor, this disarming book handles a timeless and sometimes difficult children’s topic with wit and wisdom. Romp and stomp! Roar and slam! Almost everyone gets angry. But how can furious young dinosaurs also learn to calm down, take a time-out and behave?
When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really, Angry?
By Molly Bang (Ages 4-8)
In this Caldecott Honor-winning, head-on exploration of the causes of and solutions to anger, Sophie gets angry and runs out into the woods, where she climbs a tree to calm down, and is soon ready to come home to her loving family. Everybody gets angry sometimes. For children, anger can be very upsetting. Parents, teachers, and children can talk about it. People do lots of different things when they get angry. What do you do?
Grumpy Bird
By Jeremy Tankard (Ages 3-5)
Bird wakes up feeling grumpy. Too grumpy to eat or play—too grumpy even to fly. “Looks like I'm walking today,” says Bird. He walks past Sheep, who offers to keep him company. He walks past Rabbit, who also could use a walk. Raccoon, Beaver, and Fox join in, too. Before he knows it, a little exercise and companionship help Bird shake his bad mood. This winsome, refreshingly original picture book is sure to help kids (and grown-ups) giggle away theirs, too!
What do you do to make your bad day better?
