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My First Comics
I'm Grumpy
A grumpy cloud upsets his friend Sunny and must make amends.
22 pages, Board Book
First published January 26, 2016
3 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer L. Holm
105 books1,728 followersJennifer L. Holm is a USA TODAY and NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling children's author with nearly 10 million books in print. She is the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, PENNY FROM HEAVEN, and TURTLE IN PARADISE and a Scott O'Dell Award for her novel FULL OF BEANS.
Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!
For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.
Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!
For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 27, 2022
I like this one for it's clearer story. Although the series is cute, because creators of Queen of the World!, it's tricksy to tell any kind of story in so few pages, and have it satisfy. They all have a messed up/feel bad/do something to make it up set up, but the other two don't explain the nature of the initial mood.
Library copy
Library copy
October 6, 2017
First sentence: This is Grumpy Cloud. Why are you so grumpy?
Premise/plot: Grumpy Cloud is grumpy. There are reasons, but, not reasons that cheery people like Sunny can understand. Sunny tries--and fails--to cheer up Grumpy. The harder Sunny tries to make Grumpy happy, the angrier Grumpy gets. The result? Thunder. Will Grumpy and Sunny make up after their fight?
My thoughts: I liked it. It was easy to relate to Grumpy's bad day. I can understand why Sunny's good intentions ended up failing. Sometimes the best thing you can do for a grumpy person is to give them space--plenty of space. That being said, Grumpy does a very nice thing to try to make it up to Sunny. This is one in a series of four books called My First Comics. I'd recommend the whole series.
Premise/plot: Grumpy Cloud is grumpy. There are reasons, but, not reasons that cheery people like Sunny can understand. Sunny tries--and fails--to cheer up Grumpy. The harder Sunny tries to make Grumpy happy, the angrier Grumpy gets. The result? Thunder. Will Grumpy and Sunny make up after their fight?
My thoughts: I liked it. It was easy to relate to Grumpy's bad day. I can understand why Sunny's good intentions ended up failing. Sometimes the best thing you can do for a grumpy person is to give them space--plenty of space. That being said, Grumpy does a very nice thing to try to make it up to Sunny. This is one in a series of four books called My First Comics. I'd recommend the whole series.
November 18, 2018
3.5 I’m a Holm fan. I also love the concept of early reader comics. From a literacy perspective/ as a graphic novel lover, this makes soo much sense to me. I like that this one focused on feelings, and saying sorry and forgiving- even in its super simple format. Never too early to feel the feels and understand how they pass.
February 4, 2016
If Jenn and Holm wrote and illustrated a phone book, I would read that phone book.
January 28, 2017
Handy for trying to get Kait to learn the angry/grumpy emotions in herself, but Abby advanced for her in terms of making up the story of the panels herself.
January 29, 2025
I had no idea comic books for babies were a thing! My kid loved this one from the library, and we read it many times.
November 9, 2017
Cloud has had a bad day and is grumpy. Sunny tries to cheer him up, but Cloud instead ends up hurting Sunny's feelings. Can Cloud make things right?
This is a board book featuring panels and speech bubbles to introduce little ones to the flow and features of graphic novels. It's a simple story but it is pretty cute, and features a lot more plot than normal in a board book. The issues are also very relatable. Even littles have had grumpy days and may have hurt others feelings, so it opens up a good opportunity to talk about how to deal with these feelings without hurting others and what to do when you have hurt someone else's feelings.
This is a board book featuring panels and speech bubbles to introduce little ones to the flow and features of graphic novels. It's a simple story but it is pretty cute, and features a lot more plot than normal in a board book. The issues are also very relatable. Even littles have had grumpy days and may have hurt others feelings, so it opens up a good opportunity to talk about how to deal with these feelings without hurting others and what to do when you have hurt someone else's feelings.
October 2, 2019
This book came at a very opportune time for us. It has given my two year old a way to express his frustration and mood. Every once in a while now he will say, "I'm grumpy!" then two seconds later will run to find the book to read. And sometimes we just have to say "KABOOM!" to identify that the noise going on is a grumpy tantrum - whether that's from the toddler or the adults. Really cute illustrations and a message we can all relate to.
September 27, 2019
I really thought I would like this book especially when I found out that it's done in a comic strip format, but I didn't really like it. The colors and illustrations are vibrant, but the story could have been better. I felt like it ended abruptly. The beginning was off to a great start and then it went downhill story wise.
February 20, 2019
Being grumpy is an emotion according to mama. She went on and on about feelings, but I blacked out after a while, because this was not the most fun book to read and not sure how I feel about this comic business. At least there were some loud sound effects. ⛅⚡🌞
November 27, 2021
Fun board book in graphic novel format by the creators of Babymouse! Intro to feelings with weather “people”. Sometimes you can’t communicate why you’re grumpy, but don’t let your grumpy mood make you mean to your friends.
June 9, 2017
Delightful and so true of what many of us are when we are grumpy! Also awesome that it is a first comic!
August 31, 2017
This little board book was a hit at the market.
July 24, 2018
The story is probably more enjoyable if not read aloud. Although I like the general premise of acknowledging grumpy feelings, I just wasn't a huge fan of the execution.
October 7, 2018
I have learned I really love Jennifer L Holm's books. My First Comics uses comics to talk about emotions. In this book the cloud is grumpy. Learn how he comes out of it. Cute!
October 7, 2018
I have learned I really love Jennifer L Holm's books. My First Comics uses comics to talk about emotions. In this book the cloud is grumpy. Learn how he comes out of it. Cute!
March 3, 2020
This is a very simple sequential story starring a grouchy rain cloud.
May 20, 2021
A very useful book about emotions. I like the moral that being generous can help you feel less grumpy. Preschooler says it isn't his favorite. He says it's too grumpy.
November 29, 2021
Hilariously accurate and illustrated board book perfect for grumpy moods!
October 19, 2023
Much better than the previous I’m Sunny that we read together. Playing with the different format of comic book storytelling.
May 19, 2016
I'm starting with I'm Grumpy, because I think it's wonderful that Jennifer and Matthew have created a duology that focuses on understanding your emotions.
Cloud begins the book grumpy, and Jennifer and Matthew do a nice job of explaining just how Cloud got to this point - using beautiful, complex illustrations, especially for a board book. Though Cloud doesn't apologize for feeling grumpy, Cloud does learn how to interact with others who may not feel so grumpy.
With vibrant illustrations and short sentences, this is a charming book that's perfect for the burgeoning young reader.
Cloud begins the book grumpy, and Jennifer and Matthew do a nice job of explaining just how Cloud got to this point - using beautiful, complex illustrations, especially for a board book. Though Cloud doesn't apologize for feeling grumpy, Cloud does learn how to interact with others who may not feel so grumpy.
With vibrant illustrations and short sentences, this is a charming book that's perfect for the burgeoning young reader.
December 2, 2016
Board book, ages 0-2
Rain cloud is grumpy because he's dropped his ice cream off the cone. Sunny the sun tries to cheer him up, but it only makes him grumpy. But when he goes, "Kaboom," and scares Sunny away, he feels even worse. He gives her a flower to say he's sorry, and then they both feel better. Written as a comic book, this book is a cute introduction to that style of writing.
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/11/cyb...
Rain cloud is grumpy because he's dropped his ice cream off the cone. Sunny the sun tries to cheer him up, but it only makes him grumpy. But when he goes, "Kaboom," and scares Sunny away, he feels even worse. He gives her a flower to say he's sorry, and then they both feel better. Written as a comic book, this book is a cute introduction to that style of writing.
http://www.momsradius.com/2016/11/cyb...
July 22, 2016
I read so many kids' books a day, I usually don't put them on here, but I had to for this one - it is brilliant in capturing the complexity of little kids' grumpy feelings, the guilt that results when they hurt a friend's feelings because of it, and the sweet shy reconciliation that usually comes after. Such a real-to-kid-life book!
February 17, 2016
I'm not a huge graphic novel fan so this version of a board book graphic novel didn't really appeal to me but a cute story of a grumpy cloud and the sun that tries to cheer him up a cut friendship ending but I'm not sure younger kids will get it.
March 13, 2016
The book teaches children about emotions. The illustrations look pencil drawn but are full of color. A very simple book with easy vocabulary, and humor. This book will teach children how their emotions can impact those around them.
April 5, 2016
Start teaching the little ones how to read comics, and build their literacy skills even more, An adorable story, and a fabulous board book graphic novel. This one is going NY "baby shower gift books" list. And I think it should be in every kindergarten classroom.
October 1, 2016
Another book I read to my friend's daughter. I thought this one was super cute! I enjoyed the tale of the sun trying to cheer up the grumpy cloud and then the role reversal once feelings were hurt, awww. The illustrations were cute too.
January 23, 2016
Board books to introduce the youngest readers to comics and the storytelling. Simple storylines and cute illustrations will hopefully appeal to customers!
March 4, 2016
Board book graphic novel
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews