Grumpy Goat by Brett Helquist

by Brett Helquist

Goat is the grumpiest animal at Sunny Acres farm until he remembers that there is more to life than eating and being alone.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Friendship, Storytime, Nature, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 2, 2013

About the author

Brett Helquist has illustrated many books for children, including the Series of Unfortunate Events books. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Debbie W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why I chose to read this book:
1. GR friend, Joe's review (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...) had me signing it out from my local library because I love a good picture book; and,
2. I wanted to read it aloud to my 2-year-old grandson.

Praises:
1. I loved the colorful illustrations and the heartwarming storyline of patience and friendship, especially supporting those when they feel down; and,
2. my grandson liked seeing the "goat, cow, piggies, sheep, the sun, and the dandelion!"

Overall Thoughts:
A lovely story to share with youngsters, or even to read as an adult!

[Joe Krakovsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up GRUMPY GOAT from the library as I still miss my goat Tag. This was a cute little story about a new goat on the farm who is mean because he never had a friend. Then one day he sees a dandelion flower and it reminds him of something. He starts to watch over it and becomes friendly to the other animals. Then one day it changes and blows away and he is sad. But then, he discovers dandelions now covering the hillside and he is happy again. Now all the animals are happy and are friends.

I liked this book for all the memories it brought me. My buddy Tag could be grumpy at times. He tried to boss our donkey Dexter around. Tag could also be jealous and would chase Dexter away if we showed Dexter any affection. However, who did he run to if he got scared? He ran to Dexter, of course!

As for the dandelions, they were one of Tag's favorite weeds to eat. And any adult knows how fast they can spread across a lawn. I had to laugh at the picture of the hillside covered with dandelions as it reminded me of a farmer's private airstrip at certain times of the year.

This would be a good before-bedtime-story as it has illustrations, is short, and teaches a lesson. But if I were you, I wouldn't let a hungry goat near your flower bed!

[Alexis Labenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Goat by Brett Helquist is about a goat that goes to Sunny Acres which is a farm with a lot animals. The goat becomes very grumpy and is mean to the other animals on the farm. The book then shows the goat on top of a hill and he spots a very beautiful flower, what happens next is a miracle. Grumpy goat looks at life on the farm in a different way. The book shows that it is helpful to stop and smell the flowers to appreciate life more.

One activity I would have my students participate in would be to draw their own flower. This allows their creative side to show and get practice with art. After they draw their picture, I would have them pick a partner and observe their partners flower. Then I would have them pick out something they like about their partner and write it in their flower. The students would be able to keep their drawings so that they can stop and look at them when they need to, to appreciate the little things in life more.


Helquist, B. (2013). Grumpy Goat. New York: Harper.

[Rosi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. The illustrations are lovely, the story is a simple but poignant tribute to good friendships, and the language is a treat for little ears with lots of alliteration and subtle repetition. But the best part is that it meant something to me too. Every year I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder just like grumpy goat and it was so fun to see this real disorder acknowledged in a children's book.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sunny Acres was one of the friendliest farms in the area until Grumpy Goat arrived and single-handedly changed all that. Uninterested in making friends with the other animals, whom he chased away, our caprine hero (anti-hero?) kept his head down and ate everything in sight. Until the day, that is, that he encountered a beautiful yellow flower and took the time to admire its beauty, thereby setting in motion a chain of events that led to his reform. But when the flower is blown away, what will happen...?

A prolific and much-celebrated illustrator, one who is probably best known for his work on Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events novels, Brett Helquist takes on the additional role of author for Grumpy Goat, producing a fairly engaging tale about the transformation that stopping to appreciate the beauty around us can produce. As always with Helquist, I enjoyed the artwork here, finding it colorful and expressive, with lots of humorous details. The animals' expressions are particularly appealing. Recommended to fans of the artist, and to anyone looking for picture-books about farm animals and/or stories in which the emotions of the main character are impacted by his perceptions of the world around him.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book and it is a great little story for teaching kids about how their attitude affects friendships. Sometimes when you are just starting to make friends in a new place it is easy to assume there is a problem with everyone else, but if you step back and see how you treat them things might change. That is the way that it is for this little grumpy goat once he takes time to put care into protecting and caring for a dandelion and makes friends in the process. It's cute and possibly a good seasonal read, but would really work well any time of the year. I think it is a great introduction to friendships for kiddos.

*Thanks to HC for providing an ARC for review.*

scheduled: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute book about a grumpy goat that is new to the happy friendly little farm. Grumpy goat doesn't want to make new friends despite the other animals’ attempts to extend a hoof of friendship. One day he finds a single dandelion at the top of a hill, and for whatever reason (the book didn't say) the goat loses his grumpy attitude and begins hanging with the other barnyard critters. However, when the season of flowers ends the “grumpy” goat returns while he morns the loss of his flower friend. His barnyard companions show tremendous qualities of friendship and keep the goat company during his time of "loss." I don't know what the moral of the story is but I enjoyed reading this book with my daughter even though I felt the goat was undeserving of the efforts his friends made.

[Ariel Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

You guys, I think *I'm* totally a grumpy goat. He's not a very nice goat, until he sees a dandelion. Taking care of it makes him a much happier goat, and he starts to make friends. But when the dandelion floats away, he becomes despondent -- until hundreds more dandelions appear.

The acrylic illustrations in this book give it a soft, old-fashioned feel that makes it feel like a folk tale or fable. They're really sweet, and manage to give the goat a real range of facial expressions (hrm. I've never typed that sentence before!).

Really fun read aloud! Preschoolers would probably appreciate the lesson best.

[Laurie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting little book featuring farm animals, that's not really about farm animals. It has several good life lessons in it, but it definitely feels bittersweet and melancholic to me.

I think it's a good book for discussing important topics with young children - not only friendship in general, but specifically how to let others in (if you're the goat), and how to care for difficult people (if you're one of the other animals), as well as grief - how to be there for someone else who is grieving, and how grief doesn't last forever. Deep stuff for what looks like a simple picture book on the surface.

Side note: I'm surprised by the multiple reviews mentioning the goat being mean again after he loses his dandelion...That doesn't happen in this book. The goat becomes distant and despondent because he's grieving, but he certainly doesn't go back to being mean. There's a big difference, and it just goes to show that many adults need to learn more about grief as well.

[Rachel Pence · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book "Grumpy Goat" by Brett Helquist starts the book by telling the readers a little about the grump goat and what the book they are about to read is about. Looking at the pictures in this book, I believe this book can be a candidate for the Caldecott award. Each page it filled with oil paint illustrations that show the readers the emotions each character if filling. Each page is filled with colorful and very detailed pictures that help show what is going on around Sunny Acres farm. The book starts out by a grump goat pushing everyone around him away with his scary and bad attitude. Later you read and see what has the power to have such a large impact on the goat to be able to finally let the farm animals around him in. The Author writes "See how stopping to smell the flowers really can change everything", I think this is a very powerful line because it sums up the meaning of the whole book. Once the Goat found something he loved, he was able to stop being mean and let the other animals around him in. The book put off an important message that once you "stop to smell the flowers" you can get more out of it than you thought. The goat was able to get new friends that stayed with him through hard times and was also there to enjoy the good days at the farm. I think this story is something that anyone can relate to, and can make you think back and see what little things have brought good memories back to you or have given you the power to see things differently.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunny Acres was once the happiest farm in the world, until Grumpy Goat came with his grumpiness. No matter what the other farm animals did, Grumpy Goat scared them off and prefers his solitude. But when Grumpy discovers and cares for a little dandelion, little did he know it's the start of new friendships.

I've always known Brett Helquist as an illustrator, specifically for his works in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, the art mystery series by Blue Balliett, and other standalone novels like The Storm Makers. So I was kind of anxious to see how well Helquist at writing to go along with his drawings. From what I read here, he could pass off as a small-time author. While the text is bare minimum, Brett does more showing than telling in this story of how our actions can make different perceptions from others. In the case of Grumpy Goat, who started off as rude & anti-social, the tenderness he shows to the dandelion, attracts the other farm animals to extend their arms to him and becomes much more friendlier in the process. Although all the illustrations were animals, Helquist's style is still very much remarkable in adding details and creating an ambient atmosphere.

[BethAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love goats. I love dandelions. I love Brett Helquist. This darling picture book is the triple threat! Even Count Olaf wouldn't stand a chance against this sunny, funny story! I run the early literacy program at Thanksgiving Point. Basically, I do story times (read a book, then have an accompanying activity like a craft or animal visitor) 2-3 times a week. Today was at the Farm the book was Grumpy Goat. We made yellow paint dandelion fields for a little paper goat, got to meet and pet a real Nubian billy goat named Spot. The kids and their moms were thrilled. This book is VERY cute. Great story, awesome artwork (both by the uber-talented Helquist who is awesome and from my hometown. Also, he illustrated one of MY favorite series for older children A Series of Unfortunate Events by the brilliant Lemony Snicket.) Anyway, I bought a copy for myself as well as for our education department library because it is great. Looking forward to rereading Roger, the Jolly Pirate come Talk Like a Pirate Day.

[Amy Seto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goat was grumpy. None of the other animals could cheer him up. Ever. That’s how grumpy he was. Goat had never had a friend and he didn’t like to share. And did I mention he was grumpy? But everything changes one day when Goat happens upon a dandelion. This beautifully illustrated book (acrylic and oil paints on paper) explores different moods and the many different ways one can be a good friend. Emotions are clearly depicted with facial expressions and body language. Descriptive, yet short sentences paired with large illustrations make this a good choice for storytime.

Read More at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2...

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunny Acres Farm is a happy, beautiful, friendly place, until Grumpy Goat arrives. He is grumpy and unfriendly - none of the animals on the farm can even get close to him, let alone become friends! All Grumpy Goat wants to do is eat and eat and eat and eat and eat... and as he does so, he makes a huge mess on the farm - kicking down fences & being mean to the other animals. Then, he sees something special in the field, and everything changes. What does Grumpy Goat see? ]

A beautifully illustrated and wonderful story about the power of friendship - and stopping to smell the flowers.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brett Helquist is an artist that I hold in great admiration. If he illustrates it, I buy it. This story about a grumpy goat that comes around in the end wasn't one that wowed me. I am going to test it out on my class to see genuine kid reactions. They might very well love it! And who knows, I might love it once I've shared it with them.

Update: Yeah, the kids loved it, and I have to admit, after reading it with them and enjoying their reactions, it grew on me. Just proves, a read aloud is a powerful thing!

[❂ Ann ❂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Goat arrives at Sunny Acres farm, grumpy, hungry and scowling. Despite the attempts of sheep, pig and cow, to be friendly, Grumpy Goat kicks ups his hindlegs and chases them away. Until one day he arrives at the top of Sunrise Hill, Goat stopped and was reminded of something. This something which was a remnant of nature would change him for the better. The artist's use of acrylic and oil paintings capture Sunny Acres farm as one of the sunniest places you could ever visit. Grumpy Goat's facial expressions are priceless.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goat is grumpy until he finds something to love. Even though it's a small thing, a dandelion, that little bit of love opens him up to the kindness of the farm friends around him. Then one day, he loses his dandelion (it's fall, and it blows away). His friends help him mourn, but spring comes with a nice surprise.

Brett Helquist is a master illustrator, and I think this gentle story will stand the test of time.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another one by an illustrator I love, but the text leaves me feeling "meh". Grumpy goat is horrible to the other farm critters. And then starts to nurture a flower, and as he does, he nurtures his relationships. And then the flower goes to seed, and disperses, and he becomes horrible again. But then the field is full of flowers, and they all live happily ever after.

I prefer my picture books to be a little funny, or surprising, or subversive.

Library copy.

[Kallie McElroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute. The grumpy goat is mean to the other animals, but then finds meaning in a little flower and starts to appreciate the things he didn’t before. A good moral.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunny Acres was once the friendliest little farm in the county. . .
until the day that grumpy goat arrived.

A hangry goat is throwing off the happy spirit at Sunny Acres. What can the other animals do when the grumpy goat just shuts them out?

Then a sunny, yellow flower catches the goat's interest. Suddenly he is transformed. His care for the flower becomes a group project. Joy reigns on the farm. Until, you know what happens. Can they bring back the camaraderie? The biology of the dandelion might give them a little help.

A huge thank you to my GR friends Joe K and Debbie W for bringing this winsome and charming picture book to my attention. Definitely one I will want to read with the grands.

[Adrianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book about Goat who is the grumpiest animal at Sunny Acres farm. One day, Goat discovers a yellow flower on top of Sunrise Hill and his attitude completely changes. Goat plays tag with the pigs and allows Cow to help trim the grass. Brett Helquist incorporated vibrant colors typical of a farm. These colors brought the story alive. The message of this picture book is applicable to real life and showed me that a person can make friends if they are receptive to others and not isolate themselves. This story has a poignant message.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grumpy Goat is devoted to his gut. All he wants to do is eat. Where he wants to eat, when he wants to eat, and he doesn't want to be bothered by the other animals while he eats. This used to be the happiest farm but Goat's surliness brings all of the animals down. Then, while munching the grass, Goat sees a dandelion. He thinks that it is dandy indeed and he cares for the blossom through the summer. The animals join him in appreciating the bloom, until Fall comes and his lovely plant falls apart in the wind. He is crushed. All of the other animals on the farm offer their support and soon make friends. To his surprise the field is covered in dandelions come Spring.

The story has a positive message about making friends but the execution is weak. There is not a pivotal point that really brings the animals together and creates a greater sense of unity. It's just a passive occurrence as other things are happening. Goat has an unusual affinity for the plant that seems out of sync with his feelings for the other animals. This could be incorporated to add depth to the goat's character but it is left up to the reader to make it make sense. The illustrations are gruff and stubbly and seem to match Goat's surly disposition perfectly. The humor is subtle but adds a nice touch to the overall story, especially since the death of the dandelion is quite sad. This is a good story, but it's a little rough around the edges.

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[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved Brett Helpquist's illustrations ever since reading "A Series of Unfortunate Events" as a middle schooler. In this tale, a grumpy goat alienates himself and is unfriendly to everyone except for a single dandelion he finds at the top of a hill. He begins to take care of it, and the other farm animals help him, leading to friendship. When the dandelion turns white one day and all the seeds blow away, the goat is very sad, but soon the whole hillside is covered in dandelions.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare for a cross between a picture book and a medieval morality play. Will Grumpy Goat ever stop living so cranky?

Eventually he's redeemed by the power of a flower. Not what this recovering hippie from the 60s would call "Flower Power." But it will do.

FIVE STARS for a book that many readers may find uplifting.

As for the rest of us? It takes all kinds to make a world of Goodreaders.

[Nicki Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently accompanied my young niece and nephew on a library visit. (They had not spent much time in a public library because of COVID.) The sheer astonishment as they realized “all the books here can be read for free as many times as we want!” made me recall my childhood library memories.

Now onto the book: The Grump Goat illustrations were hilarious! They really conveyed the emotions of the animals! And the ending was absolutely brilliant. No spoilers but it’s well worth the read!!!

[Mandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay...I liked how the other animals still loved on him when he was grumpy & I get how being in God's creation can bring cheer. But the way the story was put, in a week his dandelions will die & then he'll be grumpy & mean to the other animals again?? Not cool.

[Misbah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An antisocial, grumpy goat avoids all the other animals on the farm and keeps to himself. One day he finds a dandelion and starts taking care of it. He slowly makes friends with the other animals while taking care of the flower.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations were too dark for a young child's book
It was a smidge long- author could have made the point in more concise language
Aside from being dark, the illustrations were reminiscent of something from the 70's, didn't feel current at all.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Goat arrives on the farm he doesn't want any friends, he just wants to eat everything in sight. Eventually a flower catches his eye and he begins to learn about caring and friendship. A great story to introduce the concept of grumpiness and how attitude impacts our perspective for preK+.

[Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

KSE really liked. Was upset for the goat. Read multiple times and took it to bed.