Scowl

by Steve Smallman

Scowl the owl is grumpy all the time! A small bird offers Scowl her happy hat to wear. "Get lost!" Scowl barks at the bird. But when Scowl accidentally ruins the hat, he is not the only one who becomes grumpy. And what is that funny feeling that has suddenly come over him?

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Birds, Storytime, Friendship, Emotion

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Steve Smallman lives in Staffordshire with his wife, two dogs and two cats. He has four children and a grandchild. Steve has been illustrating children’s books for almost 30 years and writing his own stories for slightly less. He also teaches illustration workshops in schools, including mural-painting. Steve is the author of Smelly Peter the Great Pea Eater (Winner of the Sheffield Children's Book Award 2009) and The Lamb Who Came for Dinner (Shortlisted for the Red House Children's Book Award and read by Meatloaf on CITV's Bookaboo). When he’s not working, Steve enjoys films, television, gardening and walking in the countryside.

Steve Smallman on Steve Smallman:

I started working as an illustrator when I was in my final year at Art College and now, over 28 years later I still haven't got a proper job! I've illustrated literally hundreds of books, predominantly in educational publishing. A few years ago I was main illustrator for Longman's 'Story Street' reading scheme, illustrating 79 titles and writing 5.

I've worked in children's television, specifically in character development and most notably in the 'Raggy Doll' series in the mid to late 1980's. I have also done a certain amount of licensed work, illustrating characters such as Postman Pat, Bill and Ben and Sesame Street.

I've been described as an 'Animal Artist', not I hasten to add because I'm wild and hairy but because I love to draw animals and especially like to give them human characteristics.

I've been writing children's books for about 6 years and have already had several picture books published with more in development.

I've got 4 great children and although they're all adults now, my memories of them growing up inspire and inform my writing.

Reviews

[Dna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! Scowl, the Grumpy Owl, makes SO MUCH SENSE TO ME! Adorable. I can't wait to read this in storytime.

[Tapani Aulu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mörkki tykkää mököttää. Muut yrittävät keksiä miten Mörkin saa iloiseksi, mutta mikään ei toimi. Vihdoin ymmärtävät kysyä, että mitä he voisivat tehdä. Vastaus: HUS POIS!

Huippua, että ei tarvitse aina olla iloinen ja tykätä muista ihmisistä (eläimistä), vaan saa olla mörkki.

[Marian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand Scowl on a spiritual level.

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mörkki on varsin sympaattinen mököttävä pöllö!

[taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

hahaha "GET LOST!"

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great illustrations, odd story.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scowl the owl is a great character. The characters were really cute and I laughed out loud more than a few times. Just not a huge fan of the story. It felt a little thin to me.

[Heydi Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not sure I agree with being grumpy being something that makes one happy.

[Veena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated!

[Miranda Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give 10 stars I would!!

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, the ending surprised my kids and I. I think it's a good message about everyone not being cheerful personalities. :D

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scowl the owl! I didn't realize that rhymed until I said it out loud and I love it. Brilliant. It's about a grumpy owl and his friends wanting to cheer him up. The illustrations are great!

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone can have a bad day from time to time. But, what could the problem be if you were having a bad day every day?

Scowl is an owl who sits alone on his grumpy branch. In Cupcake Wood, it is usually a dreamy, sunny kind of day. All of the other animals in Cupcake Wood were happy and busy singing, reading, and scampering about. Scowl, on the other hand, continued to sit on his grumpy branch. On fowl weather days the animals all seemed to make do and be happy, but not Scowl. He just complained. The animals thought they could cheer him up.

“You can wear my Happy Hat!” said Birdy and she twittered, plunking it on Scowl's head. “Get lost!” said Scowl.

The other animals tried singing to him and Bear tried to give him a hug. But Scowl just wanted to be left alone. What do you think would happen if Birdy returned the same sentiment as Scowl? You might be surprised of the outcome.

Author Steve Smallman and illustrator Richard Watson have presented a story that teaches young readers to be kind to one another. Colorful illustrations show a happy community and engages young readers who can learn animals, colors, shapes and most importantly who is happy and who is sad or in this case, grumpy. Parents and teachers will be able to open up dialogue with young readers to discuss emotions. Simple sentences with emphasis on some oversized words make for a fun and easy read. This is also a great read-aloud story for classroom environments.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This simple picture book about a grumpy owl that lives in the forest that is cheerful and wonderful in every way except for him is sure raise a laugh among readers. The forest is so wonderful and perfect that you almost gag when you read about it, and honestly, a little grumpy owl seems like just the thing to counterbalance it, but when the owl mistreats another bird in his grumpy way, he deals with unexpected consequences of his actions. It just shows that maybe the forest creatures aren't all milk and honey and that he needs to think before he snaps at them. A nice, simple book that young readers would certainly enjoy.

[Joella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book a lot...except for the end. It is a pretty good end and it fits with the character. But I still don't love it. Mostly because that is not how I try to act when I a grumpy. But that isn't to say that it isn't a fun book (mostly) and that I know loads of people that will like it. It just isn't really my favorite way for a character to act and thus it doesn't sit quite right with me. But I know I will probably recommend it to others...

[Tim Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know why this owl is in such a bad mood! He's up in the middle of the day. Owls are nocturnal so it's like way past his bedtime. I'd be mad too if I were on my grumpy branch and my neighbors were making all kinds of racket, like the guy who's gotta mow his lawn at 7 a.m. Sunday morning. Give it a rest dude.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scowl the owl is grumpy all the time! A small bird offers Scowl her happy hat to wear. “Get lost!” Scowl barks at the bird. But when Scowl accidentally ruins the hat, he’s not the only one who’s grumpy. And what’s that funny feeling that’s suddenly come over him? - Amazon

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story and illustrations. A grumpy owl finds out what it is like to have someone be grumpy at him. The story is nice until the end when the grumpy owl is still grumpy. It says that is okay to be who you are but it is also okay to be mean. It is a mixed message for little ones.

[Stephanie Denison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes I think I am Scowl. Super cute!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a kind of cynical sense, I really liked the fact that (spoiler alert) Scowl stayed grumpy clear through the end. He's certainly true to his curmudgeonly self.

[Suvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mörkki

Mörkki on mököttävä pöllö, jota kaikki yrittävät piristää. Sekös kismittää Mörkkiä.

Mörkki on ihana!

[Laura Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly a Grumpy Bird copy. Limited by the text, but very fun illustrations.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm giving this three stars. FIVE for the illustrations. But three for the sort of annoying animals and the abrupt ending.

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

HA! Like the change in perspective. Being grumpy does make some people happy. But it also has consequences.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dunno man, I'm with Scowl. Those other animals are a little too happy. It's creepy.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the fun illustrations and the story was cute, up until the last page. I'm not sure I like the ending...but that's just me.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I've read all day. An instant classic.

[Brindi Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for the brilliant and big illustrations. would word for an older PSST or for a bird-themed butler

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutest book EVER!

[Ama · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.