About the Author

Debbie Wagenbach grew up on a farm in southeast Iowa, the oldest of nine siblings. She has been reading and telling stories to children for as long as she can remember. As a retired children's librarian, she now writes books for children herself, mostly during the daylight hours. Debbie still lives on the same farm, where she enjoys quiet strolls on dusty roads, cloud watching, savoring a daily smidge of dark chocolate, and introducing her great nieces and nephews to the loveliest of books. She is the author of The Grouchiesi and Big, Bad, Brave Sergio. Visit her at www.grouchies.com and follow her on Facebook: @DebbieWagenbachChildrensAuthor and Twitter: @Deb_Wagenbach.

Steve Mack is a freelance illustrator and has been illustrating professionally for the last decade. Steve has recently returned to Canada and his freelancing roots and now works for many clients. He has a small studio on a farm in the valley and lives with his wife and two small children. His children's books include Stickley Makes a Mistake, Peanut Butter & Jellyous...sometimes friendships get sticky, and The Grouchies. Visit him at www.stevemack.com or follow him on Facebook: @SteveMackIllustrator, Twitter: @steve_mack or Instagram @SteveMackIllustrator.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 1-A five-year-old wakes up in a foul mood and is followed throughout his day by grumpy-faced gray clouds that want him to join up with them. His funk begins with oatmeal at breakfast, then an encounter with his sister in which he yells and grabs back his bear, followed by a refusal to wave to friends at the playground and a little kick of sand in their direction. More and more grouchies accumulate overhead. Inevitably, the day ends with an emotional meltdown: his puzzle pieces won't fit, and he yells at his father. At the end of this frustrating day, his caring Dad says, "the grouchies could be strong and make their way sound good. But rude and grumpy actions are never understood." Fortunately, the child wakes the next morning followed by yellow, smiling faces after having support, love, and understanding from his parents. The text and artwork engage children with rhymes embedded within the prose and simple cartoon drawings. The story is followed by extensive endnotes to parents explaining much about the emotional life of children and counseling that a grumpy child may be experiencing many things, among them fear, feelings of anxiety, sadness, guilt, even hunger. A useful book for caregivers.-Teresa Pfeifer, Alfred Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, Springfield, MA Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.