Grumpy Monkey: Oh, No! Christmas

Grumpy Monkey #4

by Suzanne Lang, Max Lang

new

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Animals, Humor, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 14, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Reviews

[Avada Kaddavra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leider kam die Message bei meinen Kindern nicht an, dafür war das Buch insgesamt viel zu unweihnachtlich. Sie konnten die Geschichte überhaupt nicht mit Weihnachten in Verbindung bringen.

[BrookeLynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

A blatant cash grab that reuses all the same imagery and story beats as the original. Overall, it doesn't deepen or enrich the world of grumpy monkey. He's still grumpy, and still isn't a monkey. The petulant primate is perpetually pouting, never progressing in his personal emotional growth.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a cold, drizzly, grizzly December and Jim Panzee is not feeling the Christmas spirit. He is wet, hungry, and GRUMPY! but his friends all help him to embrace the season.

I think this is my favorite of the series, and might need to add it to my seasonal children's book collection. My favorite scene may just be the woolly bison all decked out for the holidays by Oxpecker bird.

Coincidentally, December so far has been colde, drizzly and grizzly - perfect for this spirit uplift.

[Meygan Cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm simply not a fan of the Grumpy Monkey books. Why is his name Jim Champanzee when Grumpy Monkey is cuter? The illustrations are cute, but the author just misses the mark for me. Also, HE'S NOT A MONKEY.

[Samuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pretty good! But it's not as good as the original grumpy monkey book!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me smile, I like the monkey.

[Satrina T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim Panzee is so annoyed at the weather and a lack of food. But it's Christmas so everyone insists he should be happy and cheery. When he eats a green banana, he gets sick and nothing seems to help.

Sometimes all we need is a couple of tea and look at the good things around us.

[Angel Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very cute and true story! Amazing for children of all ages.

[KIRIAKI(Dominica Amat) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Πρώτη δημοσίευση εδώ: https://www.dominicamat.gr/2023/12/bl...

Καί οι χριστουγεννιάτικες βιβλιοπροτάσεις μου προς εσάς συνεχίζονται καί σειρά έχει το παιδικό παραμύθι, με τίτλο ''ΤΕΛΕΙΑ ΜΕΡΑ ΓΙΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ", που υπογράφει η συγγραφέας Susanne Lang καί το οποίο κυκλοφόρησε πρόσφατα στην χώρα μας από τις εκδόσεις Παπαδόπουλος, σε μετάφραση του κυρίου Μάνου Μπονάνου. Ένα βιβλίο που απευθύνεται σε παιδιά ηλικίας 3 ετών καί άνω καί ανήκει στην σειρά ''Τέλεια μέρα για...".

Αντικειμενικά, η περίοδος των Χριστουγέννων είναι η πιο όμορφη εποχή του χρόνου. Δεν νομίζω πως υπάρχει κάποιος/α που να μπορεί να μείνει ανεπηρέαστος/η από το εορταστικό κλίμα καί την γενικότερα χαρούμενη καί γλυκειά ατμόσφαιρα που επικρατεί γύρω μας. Ακόμα καί οι πιο κατσούφηδες, παραπονιάρηδες καί ιδιότροποι άνθρωποι μοιάζουν σαν να μεταμορφώνονται αυτήν την εποχή. Όλη αυτή η χρυσόσκονη των Χριστουγέννων λειτουργεί με έναν τρόπο μαγικό, που μας εντυπωσιάζει. Ναι, μπορεί οι καιρικές συνθήκες να μην είναι οι πιο καλές. Να κάνει κρύο, να φυσάει, να βρέχει, ή, καί να χιονίζει. Όμως, αυτό δεν πρέπει να μας επηρεάζει καθόλου. Αντιθέτως, πρέπει να εστιάζουμε στο πραγματικό νόημα των Χριστουγέννων, που δεν είναι άλλο από την ανιδιοτελή αγάπη προς τους γύρω μας καί η σκέψη πως πρέπει να είμαστε ευγνώμονες για όλα όσα έχουμε κι όχι να στεναχωριόμαστε, ή, να θυμώνουμε για όσα δεν έχουμε... Κι αυτό το μήνυμα περνάει, μέσα από την παρούσα ιστορία καί η συγγραφέας με τελικούς αποδέκτες τα μικρά παιδιά, αλλά κι εμάς τους ενήλικες.

Περιγραφή:

Ποιος δε λατρεύει τα Χριστούγεννα; Φώτα! Στολίδια! Γλυκά! Είναι η πιο μαγική εποχή του χρόνου για όλους. Όλους; Ε, όχι και όλους! Ο Τζιμ δεν βλέπει κανένα καλό σε αυτή τη γιορτή! Τι θα μπορούσε άραγε να αλλάξει τη διάθεσή του; Ο καλύτερός του φίλος είναι εκεί για να τον βοηθήσει!

Λοιπά θετικά στοιχεία βιβλίου:
- Απτή, καθημερινή ιστορία,
- Κατανοητά παραδείγματα,
- Οικείος, απλός λόγος,
- Σύντομες προτάσεις,
- Κατάλληλο λεξιλόγιο,
- Τέλος, ταιριαστή εικονογράφηση με το κείμενο.

Αναζητήστε το! Καλή ανάγνωση.

Κυκλοφορεί από τις εκδόσεις Παπαδόπουλος.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

GRUMPY MONKEY: OH, NO! CHRISTMAS takes the beloved Grumpy Monkey format and turns it to holiday woes. Jim Panzee is not at all excited about Christmas - he doesn't get why everyone is so thrilled to celebrate. The bananas are underripe and the weather is rainy. As he complains about the holiday, he also falls in the mud, making him feel even less like celebrating. As the other animals try to cheer him up, it makes him even more sure he does not want to celebrate. With some help from his neighbor and friend, Norman, Jim realizes that when your complaints are so big, you miss all the good stuff.

What I loved: This follows the familiar Grumpy Monkey format with a few nods to the Christmas holiday celebration and a great message about focusing on the good stuff. The favorite friends and animals from the earlier books make repeat appearances here, and the continuity of characters is really great for young readers. The book follows the usual format and illustration style that make it a clear part of the franchise.

What left me wanting more: The holiday felt like a really small part of the story, and it almost could have taken place at any time of year. I would have loved a bit more with reference to Christmas and celebrations to really make it feel like a holiday read. The images are all a little dark and dreary, due to the rain, but some extra color could have made this visually more holiday-esque, particularly towards the end. I am also not sure about Jim eating an underripe banana when he knows it isn't good at a bit of peer pressure - he does get a stomachache (which is then cured with tea), but I am not sure about the messaging there.

Final verdict: With a great message about focusing on the good stuff, GRUMPY MONKEY OH, NO! CHRISTMAS is an intriguing new read for Jim Panzee fans.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The image on the cover of this picture book will be quite familiar to fans of the Grumpy Monkey series. After all, it features Jim Panzee, looking a bit disconcerted as he gazes upward at the Santa hat plopped on his head. Fans of Jim Panzee will know exactly what to expect as they open this picture book since Jim is always grumpy and clearly not a fan of the holiday season. To make matters worse, it's a wet December day, and Jim can't find anything to eat. His jungle friends don't help his mood as they remind him of the joys of the season, including decorations, holiday jingles and seasonal treats. But Jim just thinks that "everything stinks" (unpaged), and their cheerfulness annoys him. In desperation, he eats a green banana because his friend Norman told him that it would ripen in his stomach. But that doesn't work, and Jim feels even worse. After Norman persuades him to sip some warm tea and notice the world around him, Jim realizes that there are many good things in the world and paying attention to them can shed a whole new perspective on someone's problems. While they don't go away, they may dim in importance in the overall scheme of things. This sixth title in the series might be good to share with your own grumpy youngsters or adults. While Jim Panzee may not be filled with the Christmas spirit as the story concludes, at least he isn't as grumpy and miserable as he was at the beginning. I love the illustrations in this book since they capture the moods and personalities of the jungle animals, including Marabou, Water Buffalo, and the frogs.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking for a book for you and your children? Maybe one that helps remind you all that even when you’re down there are still many things to be grateful for?

Grumpy Monkey Oh, No! Christmas is filled with fun illustrations and a bah-humbug monkey who is filled with negativity. All the other animals are excited and eager to celebrate Christmas since it’s such a magical time.

But Mr. Bah-Humbug monkey, better known as Jim Panzee doesn’t see things the way they do. In Jim’s mind, everything stinks and there is no reason to celebrate.

Will his friends be able to convince him otherwise?

This story emphasizes friends and attitudes, which really makes it meaningful year-round.

My Concerns

If you're used to lots of humor in the Grumpy Monkey series, don't expect it this time.

Final Thoughts

There were several things that I appreciated about this book. I liked the examples that were given by the animals as to why the season brings them happiness. And I like examples that were suggested for Jim to try.

This story felt like a gentle reminder to both young and old that reactions to our feelings, on a holiday or an ordinary day, are always a choice.

My thanks to RockStarBookTours and the publisher for a copy of this book to review. I was not obligated to post a positive review.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Christmas time in the jungle, but Jim Panzee isn't too excited about it. He believes there's nothing to celebrate because everything stinks. The weather is rainy. The bananas aren't ripe. How can someone celebrate when everything seems to be going wrong? But the other animals don't see it that way.

While Jim complains, the other animals try to cheer him up and to see all the amazing things Christmas season has to offer. There's just something special in the air, and not to mention the decorations. But Jim is grumpy and is quick to see the bad in things.

GRUMPY MONKY OH NO CHRISTMAS is a hilarious read that teaches the importance of finding the good in things. Once the animals tell Jim all he does is complain, he takes a step back to realize they're right. In doing so, he starts seeing the true reason everyone is so excited.


Final Verdict: I look forward to giving this to my daughter as a Christmas gift and it's a read I know she's sure to love. I would recommend this book to parents looking to share a Christmas laugh with their children while teaching a good life lesson.

[Katie Brummell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Monkey Oh, No! Christmas
by Suzanne Lang
4 ⭐️
Children's Picture Book
Format: Hardcover
Book 61 of 2022
📚📚📚📚
I love Grumpy Monkey, and in this Christmas book, Jim Panzee is just not feeling the Christmas spirit. His friend Norman tries to help him get in a better mood. "Taking time to notice the good things can make your problems seem smaller. "
📖📖📖📖
Jim Panzee, our favorite #1 New York Times bestselling grumpy monkey, is feeling like quite the Scrooge this holiday season!

It's Christmas time in the jungle, and Jim just can't get into the holiday spirit. Then Norman offers Jim a festive green banana, and Jim feels sick, making everything seem worse. All the other animals in the jungle are ready and eagerly awaiting Christmas, but Jim feels everything stinks. Norman tries to find the solution...and shows Jim that everything can be solved with a soothing cup of tea and time spent with a good friend.

#childrensbooks #kidsbooks #picturebook #Christmasbook #grumpymonkey #books #bookworm #bookreview

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Monkey Oh, No! Christmas is a fun children's book perfect for the holiday season.
The story follows Grumpy Monkey (real name Jim) as he stomps his way through the jungle, pouting and complaining about everything. Everything stinks, and Jim is not happy. His animal friends and neighbors try to convince him that this time of year is magical, and he should be celebrating. But Jim doesn't want to hear it. He's grumpy, and nothing can change that. Or so Jim thinks.
This was such a cute story with a good message. I think young readers will enjoy the silliness of it all, including Jim's stomping and complaining. And when Jim realizes maybe he does have something worth celebrating after all, young readers will find themselves with a big smile on their faces once the story ends.
The illustrations are lovely and really bring the story to life, and the overall story itself is upbeat and fun thanks to the cadence of the words.
A definite must-read for the holiday season.
5 stars!

[Paula Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was working at the library, I loved the Grumpy Monkey series by Suzanne Lang as the illustrations were done by her husband Max Lang were gorgeous and fun and the books themselves were hilarious and quirky. Our Grumpy Monkey aka Jim Panzee is not feeling the Christmas spirit this year as the weather is horrible, it's raining and the food isn't ripe. Nothing is going his way; everything is making him miserable. It was a coincidence reading this now as we too are supposed to be in Summer and it's raining and Christmas is next week and the weather isn't looking too bright and merry. Can Jim's friends, show Grumpy Monkey that Christmas is bright and merry and that despite everything going wrong, things are Christmassy here. Grumpy Monkey, Oh No Christmas by Suzanne Lang is the perfect Christmas picture book this year for Children aged 5-10 years old.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Christmas time in the Jungle and Jim isn't in the holiday spirit. Jim eats a festive green banana only to make him feel sick and now everything seems worse. All the other animals in the jungle are eager to celebrate Christmas. However, Jim thinks that this time of the year just stinks.

I think the book can be a cute Christmas time read but, it felt more like a normal everyday type of book. It felt like Christmas and other seasonal holidays was just thrown on top. I felt like Jim had mature types of conservation with the animals like drinking tea or eating unripe foods. If this wasn't a holiday theme book, I would have enjoyed it more because they barely talked about Christmas and the many different ways people celebrate the holidays. I think the book tries to be very generic about the holiday but, ends up not really doing anything at all.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Jim Panzee seems to speak for many people who just CANNOT be happy when it’s been raining all week, water is coming in his basement, he’s hungry, can’t find anything to eat, he’s cold, wet & muddy, a fly is bothering him & all of his friends are happy & annoyingly cheerful because it’s Christmas! All of his friends are telling him all the things he SHOULD be doing or thinking. Jim IS NOT in the holiday mood because of all the bad things going on in his life! I don’t blame him! Sometimes you AREN’T in a good mood & DON’T want to celebrate! Like he says, sometimes “EVERYTHING STINKS”!! And you just want to curl up into a ball, cry yourself to sleep & hope & pray that we make it through December. His friends do finally manage to cheer him up by being nice to him, instead of telling him what he should be doing just because it’s Christmas.

[Megen Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story. It was something students would like would be a fun read-aloud with students. In this story, you would need to go through vocabulary with students, especially with the animals that come up in the story. Though it was cute, I don't think it is a story I would reach for all that often. This story just wasn't one that I loved. I believe that the grumpy monkey character is cute and a character that students would like and fun to read aloud. If I were to use this in the classroom, I would try and relate the feelings and animals to a unit in science, and it would be used around December with the students. That would be the only way I would use this in my classroom, but maybe others would find the book fit in better in other areas of their classroom.

[TJ Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Jim Panzee dealing with how excited people get during Christmas time. His friends tell him what Christmas means to them, from spending time with friends and family to playing in snow. In the end, Jim understands how he can reframe his problems and have fun with his friends.

I liked this book as a way to explore Christmas in a secular context. I think there could have been some reference to the religious aspect of the holiday, but for a children's book to be read in schools I think it handled it all very well. I liked how Jim learned to be happy for his friends.

If I used this in a classroom, I would obviously read it around Christmas time. I would ask the students what their favorite parts of Christmas were and ask them to draw pictures of it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Monkey is back with more complaints in this holiday story. After a week of rain, unripe bananas, and everyone telling him how to experience the season Jim has had enough. After some cool down time and a chat with a friend, he is able to put things in perspective.

My kids often move from Pig the Pug to this series as they branch out with independent reading. I love that these books have SEL built in, but in an entertaining way. After all, it *is* hard to notice good things when you have lots of complaints. Sometimes you have to step away, eat a snack, and then come back to appreciate what's around you.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Monkey, Oh No Christmas is an absolutely adorable children's book about a disgruntled monkey. Full of complaints, nothing can make him happy, that is until he learns about gratitude. I couldn't help but chuckle at the exaggerated woes of our favorite monkey. I believe adults and children alike can sympathize with the overwhelming feelings, especially at this busy time of year. The story is a gentle reminder to take a moment to chill and look at all the good around us. The illustrations are stunning and showcase the story superbly. Highly recommend.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grumpy monkey is good at being grumpy. He wakes up and it is raining so that puts him in a bad mood. He complains about EVERYTHING! His friend the ape, tries to be happy about things. It is almost Christmas and ape chooses to be happy. Grumpy monkey chooses to be negative. The other animals are VERY patient with his bad mood and they help him get a better attitude. He learns that celebrating things is better than complaining. I like that he learns a lesson. I don't like that he complains all the time. (review by Caden, 4th grade)

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've seen so many things say "Holidays" but only reference Christmas traditions. This book says "Christmas" but there are at least passing references to other holidays.

Jim Panzee (who is NOT a monkey) complains about everything. Eventually Norman the gorilla convinces him that if he would stop complaining, he might enjoy himself more. Which is a message some grown ups I know need. I found the writing in this one to be sluggish compared to the previous books.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great message about taking time to notice all the good things happening around you, rather than focusing on the problems. The animals in the rainforest are getting ready to celebrate Christmas but per usual, Jim Panzee, is failing to see the positive and instead focuses on all the negative events happening. With help from his best friend, Norman, Jim begins to notice all the good around him and find ways to be more cheerful.
Very cute story and fun illustrations!

[Pi]

Rewelacja! Zabawna i mądra książeczka o pewnej wiecznie niezadowolonej małpce, która nie rozumie dlaczego ma się cieszyć ze Świąt Bożego Narodzenia, kiedy wszystko jest beznadziejne. Jest to jedne z tomów serii Grumpy Monkey i ja chciałabym poznać wszystkie!
Jednak ta książka, to nie tylko tekst, ale i ilustracje, które są dokładnie takie, jakie lubię. Bombastyczna, zabawna, ekspresyjna kreska i piękne kolory!

[Ryn Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Grouchy Jim can’t seem to get into the holiday spirit. How can he when nothing is going his way? But with the help of his jungle pals, Jim learns how to appreciate all the good right around him too.

So this is another one that fell into the severely didactic category. It has the advantage of being somewhat funny, and it is part of a series. Fans of Grumpy Monkey will probably like it. And if you have a cranky-pants kiddo who is feeling whiny this season, it's a fun story. Two Stars.

[Ellon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. it comes off as such preachy. It's a little wordy for a picture book. I didn't love how Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are just kind of thrown in there with the mention of lighting candles (and the illustrations of the kinara and menorah). It seemed very forced.
I also didn't get why some pages had the rain and some didn't even though it was supposed to be raining the whole time.

[Megsbookclub · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you read The Grumpy Monkey series yet? Grumpy Monkey Oh, No! Christmas was great! Jim Panzee is quite the Scrooge in the beginning of the story. Norman his friend helps him realize that there are so many good things during the Christmas season and sometimes spending time with a good friend is exactly what we all need!

[Morgan Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Monkey is about a Monkey who sees everything in a negative light and the animals around him try to get him shift his thinking to a "glass half full" mentality. This is a good book to show the importance of attitude and having a different mindset on things, even if everything seems to be a against you.


DRA: About 16-18
Lexile: 460L
6 Trait: Ideas, Word Choice