Grumpy Bird: Boo Hoo Bird

by Jeremy Tankard

Key Features Description Bird and Raccoon are playing ball, when Bird gets bonked on the head. "Boo hoo hoo!" he cries. What will make Bird feel better? A kiss? A cookie? A Band-Aid? Bird's friends Raccoon, Rabbit, Beaver, Sheep, and Fox are full of hilarious and heartwarming ideas. Perfectly pitched and hilariously imagined, this charming story about a universal experience will put a smile on the face of every child who has suffered a boo-boo and every parent who has struggled to find just the right way to give comfort. Bird and Raccoon are playing ball, when Bird gets bonked on the head. "Boo hoo hoo!" he cries. What will make Bird feel better? A kiss? A cookie? A Band-Aid? Bird's friends Raccoon, Rabbit, Beaver, Sheep, and Fox are full of hilarious and heartwarming ideas. Perfectly pitched and hilariously imagined, this charming story about a universal experience will put a smile on the face of every child who has suffered a boo-boo and every parent who has struggled to find just the right way to give comfort. Product Details Item #: NTS520433 9780545204330 Paperback Book 32 Comedy and Humor Pre-K - K Lexile® AD430L Guided Reading GR Level J DRA 16 - 18 ACR 1.5 Key Features Item #: NTS520433 9780545204330 Paperback Book 32 Comedy and Humor Pre-K - K Lexile® AD430L Guided Reading GR Level J DRA 16 - 18 ACR 1.5

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

Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

I get ideas by watching and listening all the time. I also keep a sketchbook and am constantly doodling and creating characters," Jeremy Tankard says. Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, Columbia, South Carolina, Hazard, Kentucky, and finally Knoxville, Tennessee Jeremy Tankard, the son of a story telling father and a mother who oversaw libraries, was always surrounded by stories and inspiration for them.

"When I was young my dad used to tell my brother and me stories in order to keep us from complaining during long walks in the mountains. Some of the stories were true, others were not; and as for the rest of them, we still don't know whether to believe them or not." Jeremy Tankard started writing and illustrating when he was still a child, despite his limited spelling capabilities. The early ones featured a pig family who had a series of misadventures. The only words in the books were ‘Hallo’, ‘HALP!’, and ‘Bye bye’.


After studying drawing and printmaking at the Alberta College of Art and Design, Jeremy Tankard embarked on a career as an illustrator, his work appearing in magazines and ad campaigns including Time, The New York Times, Guitar Player, and The Boston Globe. Armed with his skills as an illustrator and his new and improved vocabulary, Jeremy Tankard returned to his real love: telling stories.


Jeremy Tankard is the author of GRUMPY BIRD for which he was nominated for the for outstanding children’s book illustration. His most recent book, ME HUNGRY! is about a Stone Age boy in search of a snack. Jeremy Tankard lives in Toronto with his wife, Heather, and young daughter, Hermione, where he dabbles in music, loves Indian cooking and skateboards.

Reviews

[Rossy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bird is crying because he got bonked on the head. All his friends are trying to make him feel better, but he keeps on crying, until all his friends give up and THEY start crying. This, apparently, makes bird realize he's not hurting anymore.
So, it's nice to see your friends cry. You go bird! NOT.

[Emily · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel a bit guilty about giving this book such a low rating because my almost 3 year old daughter really did enjoy the illustrations. However, I was really disappointed with a story where the main character, who despite his friends' reasonable attempts to comfort him, was inconsolable until all of them were upset and crying too. I was hoping the bird would realize how much his friends cared about him, and that those feelings of being loved would overcome his experience of minor pain. I imagine that is what the author was attempting to convey as well, but it never quite got there for me. Instead we are left with a cry-baby who refuses to be happy until he has made everyone else around him miserable. I think this book might encourage a child's tendency to whine or "ham up" an injury just to get attention or to get what they want. Sorry Boo Hoo Bird!

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bird gets "bonked" on the head in this follow-up to Tankard's Grumpy Bird , and spends most of the rest of the book being inconsolable. A kiss from Raccoon, a hug from Rabbit, a cookie from Beaver, and a band-aid from Fox seem to have no effect on his weeping. What does? Imitation, of course...

All children have experienced a fall, a blow, or some other kind of injury, and will be able to identify with Bird, just as their parents will recognize his instinctive playing for sympathy. As one reviewer has noted, Bird is a bit of an "avian prima donna," but his adventures are relatable and amusing, for all that, and emphasize the importance of friendship. Tankard's simple, brightly colored illustrations enhance the sense of fun, and will keep young readers' attention. All in all, Boo Hoo Bird is a worthy follow-up to the first!

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bird and Raccoon are playing catch when the ball bonks Bird in the head. Although Raccoon apologizes profusely and kisses Bird’s boo-boo, Bird is inconsolable. Raccoon decides to ask some of their friends for help. Rabbit gives Bird a hug, Beaver gives Bird a cookie, Sheep suggests a game to distract Bird, and Fox puts a band-aid on the boo-boo. Nothing helps. Bird’s friends finally burst into tears themselves, crying, “Boo hoo hoo! Nothing is making Bird feel better.” All of a sudden Bird feels better! Maybe it’s magic, maybe he’s suddenly realized he’s being a wee bit silly – you decide!

This is a very sweet story, with colorful animal friends who obviously care a great deal about one another. Kids will likely be familiar with at least some of the methods the animals use to try to make Bird feel better – and some will even recognize that Bird is probably overreacting. The story ends with the animals playing another game of catch – can you guess what happens next? Even though Bird is sad, there’s nothing sad about this story. You’ll find yourself giggling as Bird’s friends try to comfort him over and over again.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing seems to make Bird feel better after getting his head bonked, no matter what his friends try. Friends finally make things all better...until the end page.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations in this story that pokes gentle fun at inconsolable kids.

[Bobby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book both visually and narratively by Tankard. Nice basic premise that even my almost 2 year old could understand.

[Margaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for the preschooler's storytime, with the twist at the end. Kids can always appreciate a good tantrum.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and a funny premise. I notice quite a few reviewers gave low ratings because they felt the bird only felt better once all his friends were sad, but I didn't take it that way. I think the point is that he was so caught up in the drama that he didn't notice until he did, and at that point realized he was overreacting. I'll try to emphasize that point during readalouds!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boo Hoo Bird is a simple story that all children can relate to. Bird is playing a game of catch with his friend when you gets hit on the head with the ball. Bird cries and cries, and nothing will make his boo-boo feel better. All of his friends try different ways of getting Bird to feel better. When all of his friends have given up, Bird finally realizes that his boo-boo doesn’t hurt so badly after all.
The artwork for this story is done in a classic cartoon style. Children will love the blue bird with his mohawk of feathers. The background art is done in playful colors, and again in a cartoon style. All of the characters are drawn in ways that make the characters not look exactly like the real animal. For example, the bunny’s head looks like a giant letter “U” and the badger’s head is square. Children will find this cartoonish style entertaining.
All children can relate to Bird’s experience. Every child has hurt themselves, made a big deal about it, and then discovered that it doesn’t really hurt after all. This story would be perfect for a storytime session about getting hurt, and learning to cope with it. It would be very easy to duplicate Bird for a craft and have the children color him and put Band-Aids on him.

[Emily Matview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like "Grumpy Bird," "Boo Hoo" bird is a blast to read during storytime. It's got those same great illustrations, too. I find that reading in a "crying voice" is a little more difficult than a grumpy voice but it's still gets laugh, and have the kids pretend to cry whenever one of the story's characters cries is funny.

[Edna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy Bird is back as Boo Hoo Bird who gets bonked on the head. Leave it to his friends who rally together to make Bird feel better but what happens when they empathize a bit too much? Sweet book about good friends.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A birds friends start helping him feel better after he gets a boo hoo. With hugs and love. Ages 2+

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for narrative skills or retelling in storytime with props/puppets. Fun book about getting hurt.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text is mildly amusing but what makes this book is the illustrations. I am absolutely in love with this illustrator!

[Agnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

The characters look like Pokeman but the story is simple and effective in suggesting the many ways to deal with a boo-boo.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was surprised that this book didn't hold either of the boys' attention since they both really like Grumpy Bird.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are fantastic! Obviously, I suppose, because I don't usually comment...

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork in the book is darling. The expressions of the bird are just too cute.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this one quite as much as grumpy bird, but still LOVE it. MY son especially likes the bandaid and saying boo hoo bird. Again, cute story of a funny little bird that gets a bonk.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and sweet. Michael was able to recall and retell almost every attempt bird's friends made to soothe his boo-boo. Good book for a preschooler to grasp and internalize.

[Lauriehnatiuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Students enjoyed the familair characters and students have given it a thumbs up.

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cut book about a bird who gets bump on his head and how the other animal friends try to help him out.

[Steffen Minner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bird is such a little baby brat. Good thing he has five optimistic animal friends! You gotta love these books though. I loved when Bird got hit with the ball again at the end.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is a very colorful book with a good theme for story time. The bird is a bit out of control and needs to get a grip. you shouldn't make your friends cry!

[Cosette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every day.

[Horizon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Mo Williams, then you should check out Jeremy Tankard!

[Huda Fel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute birdy got hurt and nothing seems to make him feel better
To my favorite shelf (:

[Cassie Veselovsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The star of Grumpy Bird returns, and this time he has something to be grumpy about, but instead, he is upset. VERY upset. Bird is playing with his friend and accidently gets hit in the head with the ball. He cries and cries and cries and absolutely nothing his friends do make him feel better. The forest friends at a loss begin to cry to and this shocks Bird out of his fit. The friends begin to play once more, and what happens?!?! Bird gets bonk on the head again. The bright and bold illustrations are perfect for the toddler set. Just about every child knows what it is like to get injured and feel so bad you can't stop crying. This book may just be the trick to make them feel better.

[Neil Pasricha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looks like your average ho-hum children’s picture book (and I thought it was) but has one of the most subtle messages about empathy hidden inside. When Bird gets bonked on the head playing catch all his animal friends take turns trying to help – offering a cookie, slapping on a Band-Aid, trying to play Hide-And-Seek. But nothing works until all the other animals start crying too. And then Bird finally feels better. There are no closing thoughts or morals hitting you with a hammer here. Just a nice message weaved in.