Grimwood: Party Animals: The Times Children's Book of the Week

Grimwood #4

by Nadia Shireen

Return to the forest where  anything  can happen. Party Animals is the unmissable fourth book in Nadia Shireen’s bestselling and wildly funny illustrated comedy adventure series, Grimwood!

'Our finest children’s author' - Richard Osman 

Perfect for readers age 7+, and fans of Dog Man, Roald Dahl, David Walliams,  A Bad God's Guide to Being Good , Bunny vs Monkey and anyone who likes to laugh.

Sharon the Party Crow has lost her mojo! Three parties in one day have proved too much for Grimwood’s favourite raving resident, and now it’s up to Ted, Nancy, Willow, and the rest of the gang to help Sharon get her groove back. Teamwork, friendship and, most importantly, dance skills, will all be put to the test as the gang try to get the party started again!  

Fully illustrated throughout and full of heart, laughs and surprises, this is the must-read fourth title in the bestselling and fantastically anarchic Grimwood series.

PRAISE FOR GRIMWOOD :

'Grimwood is where I want to be. A carnival of crazed confused comical critters that is more real than real life. Lots of things make me laugh but Grimwood makes me laugh out loudest.' – Frank Cottrell-Boyce

'Wind in the Willows (with added wind) for a new, wilder generation' –  The Times

‘Ted and Nancy are my favourite funny foxes EVER.’ – Liz Pichon, author of Tom Gates

‘I CACKLED ALOUD on practically every page. Comic gold, tinged with such tenderness.’ – Kiran Millwood Hargrave
 
'Gloriously anarchic, properly funny and highly illustrated with dynamic black-and-white art, this is a quirky delight for children – and their parents, too.'  – The Bookseller

'Dark, original and laugh-out-loud funny' – The Times

'This book made my face hurt! Relentlessly funny.' – Rob Biddulph

'Like Watership Down, but funny. You’ll laugh hysterically on every page.' – Caitlin Moran

'Fantastic.' – Lauren Laverne

'Pure genius!' – Louie Stowell

'Made us laugh out loud.' – Jim Smith, author of Barry Loser

'You’re in for a treat!' – Selom Sunu, illustrator of Look Both Ways

'Utterly HILARIOUS' – Sophy Henn, author-illustrator of Pizazz
 
‘Every page of the book zings with invention and joie de vivre’ –  The Financial Times
 

Genres: Middle Grade, Animals, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 24, 2026

About the author

Nadia was always destined for a career in illustration—as a child, she would doodle on her exercise books, while as a student she would doodle on her law degree notes. Then, when working as a journalist in London for pop music bible Smash Hits, she would doodle all the time on anything. The good people at Smash Hits didn’t fire her for doodling furry animals - instead they let her leave early to go to evening classes in illustration.

This was followed by a MA at the prestigious Anglia Ruskin University. Drawing and writing for a living is very much Nadia’s dream come true and we expect great things from this promising new author and illustrator.

source: http://www.carolinesheldon.co.uk/illu...

Reviews

[Tom Mooney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolute madness. The best since the first in the series.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, it seems that this is only the second Grimwood book I've read - despite me having all of them on my shelves!!

However, this really didn't matter when it came to reading this, which is book 4 in the Grimwood series.

 

It was great to be back with these crazy characters and in this book we see some new friends (to me, anyway) joining the gang for some more fun adventures.

 

Sharon the party crow is all partied out and her mojo has upped and left her feeling down in the dumps.

Ted, Willow and the gang set about fixing things and it was great to see everyone pull together and work as a team.....sometimes.....

 

This was really easy to dive back into and worked really well as a standalone read for those who are new to this series.

The friendships have developed, but it was easy to follow all the different relationships and laugh along with the banter.

 

I loved the short chapters which would make this perfect for the younger target audience to pick up and put down without loosing pace or what was happening.

Great for grabbing a chapter or two before dinner or bedtime.

 

This was packed with fun and laughs and I loved that there was the obligatory "toilet humour" but without it being too much.

The chapter titles had me chuckling too! Especially nearer the end! - (IYKYK)

 

I also listened to this on audio book and the narrator did a superb job with it - full of excitement and enthusiasm that will have everyone laughing along - great for car journeys or popping on instead of the TV in the evenings.

 

Another great quick read for me - I really must pick up my books 2 & 3 though and catch up with those before book 5 is released.....

 

 

 

 

[Irishbookmammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grimwood: Party Animals is an absolute hit in our house! My 7-year-old is obsessed with this series, and this fourth instalment did not disappoint. Nadia Shireen continues to deliver laugh-out-loud moments, lovable chaos, and heart-warming lessons on friendship and teamwork.

The story of Sharon the Party Crow losing her party mojo had us both giggling and cheering as the gang rallied to bring back the fun. The humour is clever, the characters are full of personality, and the pacing is perfect for keeping young readers engaged.

We also listened to the audiobook and it was a total delight! The cast brings the characters to life brilliantly, every voice is so full of energy and personality. It made our car rides feel like a party of their own!

Full of illustrations, silliness, and spirit, Grimwood: Party Animals is a must-read (and must-listen!) that we’ll be enjoying again and again. Highly recommended for kids who love wild adventures and parents who love seeing their kids fall in love with reading.

[The Bauchler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent offering from Shireen.

Maybe not as many laugh out loud moments in this one, but still enough to make this a thoroughly enjoyable tale.

It explores the theme of friendships, falling out and getting back together again in a way that is understandable to pre-teens.

Awooga!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The Grimwood books always make me laugh! They’re silly and proper fun. There’s friendship and mischief; there’s lost identities and found boats; there’s gorgeous illustrations and a lovely story; there’s a famous star and a stay at home rabbit who need help! Just brill!

[Vanessa Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my two young children at bed time. We enjoyed it. Ted and Willow are our favorite characters. Personally it's not my favorite book in the series though.

[Bella]

it was a very funny book i loved it

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

very funny and ridiculous

[Cassius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

[M. · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Maybe less ridiculous than the previous three, but more serious about childhood friendship.