Dear moaners, bellyachers, and professional gripers—
Today is your day. October 15 is National Grouch Day, an entire day where you can be your most gloomy self! Popularized by “Sesame Street” to celebrate the most well-known crank, Oscar the Grouch, the day lets people embrace their bad mood, complain about minor annoyances, and release negative emotions.
So, to mark the occasion, here are five delightfully cantankerous books to check out:
MR CRUMP THE HEARTLESS GRUMP by Pog, illustrated by Stéphanie Léon, published by Floris Books
If there was ever someone to avoid, it would surely be Mr Crump. He puts the capital C in Curmudgeon. Mr Crump absolutely detests animals, holidays, and happiness of any kind. He skips the line at the bakery, makes pigeons into stew, and steals from his neighbor’s vegetable garden. BUT this mean old man has a secret (he LOVES teddy bears), one which trick-o-treaters accidentally uncover! Not only do they uncover his cuddly collection, they also uncover a glimmer of warmth in Mr Crump’s heart. Translated by Katy Lockwood-Holmes, this French import is darkly comical and tells of the power of kindness.
GRIZZLY written and illustrated by Hervé Le Goff, published by Post Wave
According to Raccoon, it’s the perfect day for a stroll through the forest, but his best friend Grizzly doesn’t feel like doing anything…besides grumbling! Nevertheless, Grizzly tags along on Raccoon’s adventures, going swimming, eating berries, and napping in the shade. Although Grizzly loves to growl and grumble at everything his friend suggests, in the end, there’s nothing better than spending time with his friend. Translated by Charis Ainslie from French.
THE GRUMPY BEAR by Josephine Mark, published by Helvetiq
Get ready to meet the crankiest bear in town in this gorgeous graphic novel, translated from German by Andrew Shields. “Grumpy Bear” is what the new neighbor has scrawled on his mailbox. But none of the villagers have actually seen him. So they all set off to pay this new neighbor a visit, because what could be better than making a new friend? Well, the Grumpy Bear can think of plenty of things––muddy puddles, stinky old fish, damp fog. Even after a door slam to the face, these cheerful villagers aren’t giving up that easily! Surely this bad-tempered newcomer can be won over, right? Based on the Baerbeiss stories by Annette Pehnt and Jutta Bauer, German artist Josephine Mark returns after the success of My Trip with Drip to deliver this delightfully humorous comic for kids.
THE GRUMPY GHOST UPSTAIRS by Mamiko Shiotani and published by Floris Books
The little ghost in this tale spends long nights swooping round and round his quiet attic, having fun all by himself. He has zero need to leave, and is actually rather worried about leaving. Until one a curious little girl disturbs his peaceful solitude. So the little ghost decides to do what ghosts do best––but this girl isn’t easily frightened! Japanese artist Mamiko Shiotani captures a wryly funny story about facing fears, adapting to change, and having courage to open yourself up to others. Translated from Japanese by Polly Lawson.
GRUMPKIN by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Siân Roberts, and published by Tiger Tales
This scary-cute board book is a must-read for spooky season! Grumpkin is a grumpy pumpkin who hates everything about fall and Halloween. All the costumes and candy-obsessed kids! But worst of all, Grumpkin has to babysit his five little cousins. Why couldn’t he have been a coconut in a tropical paradise instead? He is determined to escape his muddy pumpkin patch. No one can squash his dreams!
So there! Grumble and moan all you like, and then go read a picture book.