Grumbles and complaints are not happily seen at Christmas (nor any other time of year, for that matter)...and today's read tackles exactly this in such a super-sweet way. After reviewing this one, I learned that it is part of a series. Should I have known that? Probably, but it amazes me how many books are out there, so it'd be impossible to know all of them, I guess. Anyway, I found the idea of a grumbly troll swirling with Christmas fun and decided to take a peek.
THE GRUMBLETROLL
MERRY CHRISTMAS
by Aprilkind
Barbara van den Speulhof
Illustrated by Stephan Pricken
Schiffer Kids
Picture Book / Holiday
32 pages
ages 4 to 8
Christmas comes but once a year . . . and the Grumbletroll is ready for the holiday season in the fourth book of this popular children's picture book series. It's Christmas Eve, and Grumbletroll has woken up full of anticipation and excitement. After a fun-filled snowball fight with his friends, he decides they must all celebrate together. He has very specific ideas about everything you need to have a perfect party--scrumptious cookies, a beautiful tree, all kinds of presents--and of course it all must be done just right. But what happens when everything starts to go wrong?
- Grumbletroll needs to practice coping with his anger
- Grumbletroll must understand that his friends also can have tempers
- Grumbletroll learns that not everything has to be perfect
- And that Christmas without your friends is like snow without snowflakes!
The Grumbletroll series has captured the attention of young children, giving them a playful way of dealing with emotions and expectations that offers a lot of space for conversation, role playing, and the reader's own thoughts.
- Grumbletroll needs to practice coping with his anger
- Grumbletroll must understand that his friends also can have tempers
- Grumbletroll learns that not everything has to be perfect
- And that Christmas without your friends is like snow without snowflakes!
The Grumbletroll series has captured the attention of young children, giving them a playful way of dealing with emotions and expectations that offers a lot of space for conversation, role playing, and the reader's own thoughts.
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60462914-the-grumbletroll-merry-christmas
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/?ean=9780764364402
INDIE BOUND: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780764364402
AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0764364405
MY TIDBITS
Snorts and laughs hit just before the desire to hug this grumpy troll in a unique and fun Christmas tale.
The Grumbletroll refuses to complain. After all, it's Christmas Eve and he's determined to make it the best one ever. With his friends invited to his house and a list of planned activities to make things perfect, the fun can begin...until nothing turns out like it should. Not in the least.
This is a lovely Christmas story, told with just enough humor and heart to make it work. The Grumbletroll's determination to stay pleasant is more than inspiring, especially as he makes it through one disaster after the other. It's hard not to be impressed, and completely understand when things may not end up as hoped. He's a troll to root for and will have readers wishing they could have him as a friend, too.
The illustrations are lovely with tons of details and atmosphere. The Grumbletroll comes across with a wonderful balance of cute and ugly to add the perfect edge. And it's fun just looking at everything to discover in each scene.
The text flows well and makes for a great read-aloud. It lets the animals' antics come to life without over-extending the moments. And the ending comes in with the perfect, Christmas touch of serenity and peace.
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