Angry Cookie

by Laura Dockrill, Maria Karipidou (Illustrator)

Famed spoken-word poet Laura Dockrill's hilarious read-aloud about an outraged baked good!

Oooohhh . . . not you again!
AGGGHH It’s so bright! . . . Close this book this very second, you nosy noodle!

Cookie has woken up on the wrong side of the bed and is very angry. You want to know why? Well, you’d have to keep reading to find out, but now Cookie’s calling you annoying and telling you to mind your own business. If by chance you do stick around, you might hear about a certain roommate’s terrible musical skills, why you should never let your barber try out a “new look,” how it’s impossible to find a hat that fits a cookie, and why an ice-cream parlor that’s out of your favorite treat can be a source of desolation. Then there’s the matter of a hungry bird who tries to snack on you. . . . Propelled by quirky humor and woes that every young child can relate to, Angry Cookie suggests that sometimes the best way to cheer up a grumpy lump is simply by being there — and lending your ears.

Genres: Picture Books, Food, Childrens, Emotion, Storytime, Humor, Friendship

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2018

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com

Cookie isn’t happy that you are reading his book. As you open the first page he is asleep, but then you wake him up by making his room too bright. He wants you to stop being nosy and to close the book again, but alas you carry on reading. He does warn you about how angry he is and that you should leave him alone as there is nothing you can do to cheer him up – or is there!

He tells you all about why he is an Angry Cookie, and believe me if someone kept on playing the recorder over and over again I’d be angry too – can’t stand the sound of it.

The book is a lot of fun. Firstly we have a cookie talking, but not just that, a cookie that has his own home, oh and is angry too. What isn’t there to like.

The text is written in speech bubbles, this helps to make a child understand that Cookie is talking to the reader, to them. The illustrations are also very enjoyable and entertaining to look at. The faces that Cookie pulls because he’s angry are very amusing.

Overall this book will give children a good laugh and have them giggling along. They will also be glad to see that Cookie just needs a friend and that they can be his friend. Brilliantly written, this is a book that I can see being adored and read over and over again.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angry cookie is ANGRY! And he doesn't want the reader to read on! Just go away! Shoo. Why are you still here? Go away!
What an adorable book this was about an angry cookie who just needs a friend. I love how it broke fourth wall, which is a big love of mine and I always squee in delight when it pops up in books and is the main focus. I have to say that I got very hungry from all the food stuff walking around. :P I saw delicious cookies, delightful snacks, and more. Yum! And yes, the cookie was a tad annoying at times and I didn't think he was an adult, I thought he was a kid. So that was a surprise to me. A good surprise.
I loved the art style it was really playful and fun (and well done on the snacks/cookies).
All in all, recommended if you are looking for a fun book about friendship and finding someone in your life.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those situations where a book which is otherwise fine just doesn't work for my particular family, and for a very specific reason. Though Angry Cookie does provide kids with a healthy example for how to deal with their anger, it unfortunately includes a scene where Cookie tells his friend Barbara he hates her recorder. My five-year-old is learning to play recorder as part of her homeschool music curriculum, and getting her to practice can be challenging. To have her read about a character shouting that he hates the recorder, even when he is later shown that there are more productive ways to handle his feelings, is not likely to have a positive impact on that situation. If it were any other instrument, I think we'd be fine, but books have such an impression on this kid that I don't think it's worth stirring the pot.

But if you need a funny book to address big feelings with a preschooler, this book is not a bad place to start. I think it would also be a fun read-aloud for a Pre-K or Kindergarten class; I would probably have taken it on school visits if I were still working in a library.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

It starts like Don't Push the Button only more aggressively (though not very sincerely, obviously), than the cookie starts to explain why he is so angry, kind of like Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day, and then the cookie takes comfort in the reader's continued presence despite many rejections, apparently encouraging passive aggressive communication and emotionally needy manipulation. I think it would need to be a lot cuter or funnier to pull that off.

[Effie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This angry cookie will tell you all about his very specifically horrible day and you'll stick around and listen to him because you're a good friend that way. I love all the details, especially the roommate, Barbra, who only knows one song on the recorder! This was a really fun read about feeling angry and calming down by talking it through.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This cute picture book takes young readers inside the world of a cookie that's having a horrible day and is in a terrible mood because of it. The interactive nature of the book will have kids giggling a bit. The humorous illustrations and the way things turn around for the cookie make it a nice story to share to help start a discussion about managing one's emotions.

[Dna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love stories about cranky characters, because there is often a sweet lesson about friendship and love in there. This book was absolutely perfect: replete with bright colours, amusing illustrations, and how can you not love a crankie, cute cookie?

This will be a really fun read-a-loud in storytime.

[Elizabeth Majka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is Cookie angry? He's not having a good day! Obnoxious roommates, ice cream sundaes that are just plain wrong, and so much more... This book is LOL funny, as it should be since it stars a cookie wearing pants.

[Rachel Meagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stop what you're doing and read this immediately.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Angry Cookie tells the story of a cookie that wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, annoyed with the reader for intruding on his privacy. It turns out that he has an underlying reason for his anger that led him to take out those feelings on the reader. As the reader listens to Cookie's frustrations (an annoying song, a bad haircut, a dangerous bird), Cookie starts to feel better. The story shares the idea that simply being listened to by a friend can help one work through bad feelings. I liked the theme. Feelings are a topic that young children are still learning about and learning to deal with and manage so a fun book like this one that shares the importance of managing one's emotions is great. The illustrations are cute too for the most part. But there was one thing that I didn't like and it lowered my rating of the book. In two illustrations, the cookie's 'bum crack' is showing. I do not enjoy seeing this when I read a book, especially since it is so totally unnecessary to the story. Of course this won't bother every reader and if it doesn't bother you than this is a fun story to read and share. As it is, it's not one I would feel comfortable sharing with a class because I can guarantee that some student will point out this detail and I'll lose the class to giggles and wisecracks.

[Dest · Rating 2 out of 5]

This reminded me of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day at first. A grumpy cookie speaks directly to the reader, explaining all the bad things that have happened to them.

Then the story takes a turn. Cookie suddenly feels a lot better after realizing that the reader is a good friend for listening to all the complaining.

I gave this my best shot as a fun read aloud for my kid, but it came off awkward. Somehow Cookie's turn from angry to happy seemed desperate and weird to me. Now instead of being angry, Cookie is thirsty to be the reader's BFF.

In my opinion, there are much better picture books about dealing with negative emotions. The Rabbit Listened, When Sophie Gets Angry -- Really, Really Angry, Mean Soup to name a few.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cookie is angry. Very angry. And there is nothing you can do about it, so please close the book and leave him alone. Hmm, perhaps he will explain why he is so angry if you insist on sticking around. From an obnoxious roommate who plays the same song over and over on her recorder to a botched haircut to a pigeon who tries to nibble on his head, Cookie has a lot of reasons to be mad. It turns out talking about his terrible day makes him feel better, though, and by the end of the book he isn't so angry anymore. The idea behind this brightly illustrated picture book is valuable, but the execution falls a bit flat. The book gets of to a slow start, and crude humor may turn off some adult readers. The book will circulate thanks to the eye-catching cover, but there are stronger titles available that tackle the topic of anger in a fun way.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humorous look at emotions for younger readers. Cookie is angry and tells the reader to go away. Once he realizes the reader is staying, he shares why he's angry. Readers see him work through his emotions and decide to change.
Brightly colored illustrations. Expressive characters.

[Mahlon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was cute, but not as heartfelt or emotionally mature about anger as "Grumpy Monkey."

[Leslie Marley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the title put the story was not good.The cookie seems mean like a man yelling "get off my lawn!".

[Cat Strawberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book. ‘Angry Cookie’ is a paperback which is about A4 in size although a bit wider. Inside there are thick matt pages filled with illustrations and some text. Cookie is angry, he’s so angry he doesn’t want us to turn the page and keep reading the book, but what happens if you do?

I liked the way this book is narrated from the very first page. From the start Cookie is very angry and addresses us the readers, telling us to go away and not keep reading the book. But as you keep reading Cookie will eventually tell you why he is feeling so angry. The story is a simple one but it’s something which plenty of kids and families may relate to. Cookie is angry about lots of silly things that happen throughout his day that irritated him until he got angry. Like some children, all he needs is some patience and time and eventually, knowing that we are still there while he tells his tale, he eventually calms down. I won’t give away any more details but it’s lovely to see Cookie go from being angry to so calm and happy. There is a good message for kids to learn about in this book, not only could some kids relate to Cookie’s temper but they could also learn, like Cookie that things aren’t so bad when you think about it.

The illustrations are a big part of the reason why I love this book! Cookie is part of a world of food, mainly sweets, fruits and a few vegetables and other foods like sandwiches (and a cactus!). Each character on the page is an anthropomorphic creature and the way they look just lends to the charm of this book. It’s funny to spot all the different characters on the pages and identify what they are. I also like the extra added details that goes into these pictures, not only are they bright and colourful, showing emotions well, but they’re also a bit silly and have some lovely details which make you look at the pictures to see all the extra things in the background.

I’ve never read a picture book that addressed the reader so much like this one has. I really like this take on talking to kids about anger issues and feelings. It’s also just a fun book with a great ending which I’m sure many kids, as well as some adults, will enjoy looking at.
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy.

[Erica · Rating 2 out of 5]

A round, flat, red-headed cookie gets upset that the reader has opened the book and flooded their room with sunlight.

Continuing to turn pages provides sufficient attention that the cookie opens up and shares their complaints.

Dockrill’s cookie shows how being heard can help a person deal with anger; the choice of a cookie as the main character adds humor, while the neon-red cover warns readers of the discomfort inside.

The cookie’s gender neutrality and tan color may allow a wide range of readers to identify, although the self-centeredness and petty complaints may be hard for many to relate to.

In fact, so much complaining about nothing may be offensive to young readers with actual troubles, while others may resent the obvious lesson from this whiny cookie.

The flat, digitally-created illustrations are brightly-colored on smooth, full-bleed backgrounds, and the various characters found around town (including a pickle, jello mold, eggplant, layer cake, and carrot, among others) all have googly-eyes like the cookie, and come in a variety of friendly colors.

Readers hoping for catharsis by speaking their own complaints aloud may not find as silent, steadfast a listener - the “you” to whom the cookie speaks; the readers themselves.

However, if some readers understand that being listened to is a cure for the grumps, perhaps they will try to listen to others.

Originally published in the UK in 2018. This review was originally submitted to The Association of Chidlren's Librarians of Northern California in January, 2020.

[Kalynne]

Storytime 80 people ages 0-7

Emphasis: Cookies

Introduction and announcements: Bread and Butter (alternate clapping hands and patting lap)
Bread and butter
Marmalade and jam
Let’s say hello as loud as we can

Switch out loud with quiet, nice, mean, sad, etc.

Book one: If you Give a Mouse a Cookie

Song/rhyme/game one: Milkshake song
You take a little milk, pour the milk (mime pouring milk)
You take a little cream, pour the cream (mime pouring cream)
You stir it all around and seeeeeee (stir body around)
Milkshake milkshake, shake it up, shake it up (go nuts)
Milkshake milkshake, shake it all up
Milkshake milkshake, shake it up, shake it up
Milkshake milkshake, shake it all up

Book two: Angry Cookies by Laura Dockrill

Song/rhyme/game two: Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gill

Song/ Rhyme Game Three: Apples and Bananas with tambourines

Book three: The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?

Song/ rhyme/ game three: MILK song
Give me a big “m” (shout m)
Give me a little “m” (whisper m)
Don’t give me no pop no pop (all together clap on pop)
Don’t give me no tea no tea (clap on tea)
Just give me that milk moo moo moo moo (pretend to milk a cow on moo)
Wisconsin Milk moo moo moo moo (pretend to milk a cow on moo)


Repeat with I, L, and K

Activity: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e3/71/...

[Lain Lucas]

Angry Cookie is about a cookie who is not in a good mood. Everything that happens around him annoys him. His bad mood causes him to come to the conclusion that everyone around him is making a mockery of him. This only makes the cookie angrier. As the story progresses, the cookie realizes that life is not bad after all, and his mood increases.

I enjoyed the illustrations in this book. Along with the words, the illustrations brought the book to life. The plot of the story seemed a little vague. I enjoyed how as the story went on, you could see the cookie have this realization that life is not bad.

I would use this book in my classroom. Although it looks like it would appeal more to younger grades, I believe any grade could benefit from this book. Everyone has bad days, and we often let our bad days overwhelm us. I would use this book to teach children that it is perfectly fine to have bad days; however, you should try to not let the bad days consume you. There could be an activity where the students make a list of things that bring them joy and happiness and a list of things that bring them a feeling of discomfort or anger.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is kind of goofy. I mean it is pretty funny to see an angry cookie. Cookie is soooo angry because he had a bad day but is really moved by the reader being a good listener and sticking around for him.

I like how this book breaks the 4th wall because cookie talks the reader and tells them about why he is so mad and is even grateful to the reader for listening. But I didn’t really feel like this teaches kids how to deal with being angry or that it’s ok to be angry. It feels like it’s more about how to be willing to listen to someone when they have a bad day. But then really it’s kind of about listening to someone who just wants to complain. We all have bad days and just need someone to listen to make it better. Maybe that’s the message from this book, but I’m not sure that was made very clear in the presentation.

By the way, Barbra was hilarious!!!! I thought the part about the recorder was just so funny. Those things really ARE annoying! I think all parents will be able to relate.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time published here in the U.S., we meet a cookie that shouts back from the pages, "close the book, "you nosy noodle!" It's from Laura Dockrill, a well-known spoken-word poet from the UK, with a story breaking the fourth wall about a very grumpy cookie. The cookie vents about its day, shouting all the time to readers to go away! His problems vary, but young readers will connect to no more strawberry toothpaste, an annoying friend, a bad haircut, and an ice cream shop that’s run out of its favorite sundae. In the end, the cookie realizes “why I’m so angry at the whole world. Because nobody listens to me. Nobody sticks around.” The reader is still there, showing that listening is an important way to support a friend having a bad day, and the cookie feels better! Childlike art by Maria Karipidou helps a fun story come alive in all its quirkiness. I imagine the young readers will adore it, and learn how to help a friend, too.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

PLEASE BE AWARE: Angry Cookie has experienced several very unfortunate events, back-to-back, in the last day. So please understand, you're meeting Angry Cookie at a low point. A very low point. But if you make it to the end of the book, Angry Cookie discovers that you hung in there even when confronted with a grumpy, mean, moany, sulky, horrid, and angry cookie. The book showcases the fact that sometimes the best thing we can do is listening patiently while our friends heal from a rough patch. The humorous artwork in this book was created digitally. (Angry Cookie is not identified as male or female, but Angry Cookie goes to a barber for a haircut and has a roommate named Barbra who is referred to as "her".)

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angry Cookie by Laura Dockrill, illustrated by Maria Karipidou. PICTURE BOOK. Walker Books (Candlewick), 2018. $17. 9781536205442

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

When the reader opens the book, the cookie inside is very angry and also annoyed as the reader keeps turning the pages, interrupting its personal time. When the cookie finally realizes the reader isn’t leaving, it explains why its so angry – a really awful yesterday! After cookie able to vent, it realizes that it feels so much better and that maybe the reader is a friend.

Add this to story time – another good selection about feelings and friendship that would make a handy little discussion about listening, about venting anger, about how to process when you have had a set back or even a series of set backs.

Cindy, Middle School Librarian, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Anna Sims · Rating 4 out of 5]

Angry Cookie by Laura Dockrill is a book about emotions. The main character is angry, and is telling the readers all about it. She tells what happened throughout her day and how everything was terrible. Towards the end, she has a conclusion that ends with, the reader is still reading this book, so maybe life is not too bad, and all the things that she was previously angry about, are not too bad after all. It tells the importance and significance other people can make in someone's day even when they are upset.

This book was so sweet. At the beginning, I was not too sure if I would like it with all the complaining, but then the ending was so sweet.

I would use this in a SLP session with pragmatics session discussing emotions and how we would react, and how we could be the friend that keeps coming back to the angry friend, and how we could turn their whole day around by just being there for them.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angry Cookie had a bad day yesterday and wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, very grumpy. Told in the second person, Angry Cookie even warns you not to open the book on the end pages. After Angry Cookie tries to get rid of the reader and you simply keep turning the pages, Angry Cookie decides to tell you a little about his bad day. After he recounts all the moments of misery from the previous day and the reader is still there, the realizes that when someone listens it makes him feel better. The fact that friends do listen, even when you're angry or grumpy and they stay around is the lesson that Angry Cookie learns and that the author is hoping that the reader learns as well. This is good to remind students that bad moods or mistakes don't mean we will go away and that sharing bad things as well as good is how we can deal with all types of emotions.

[Maddie Guthrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a very angry cookie in this book that insists you to close the book, to not turn the page, and to leave him alone. However, if you are brave enough to continue reading and don't mind being called "annoying" or told to "mind your own business" then you learn why this cookie is so angry. This cookie is having a bad day, he gets a bad haircut and can't find a hat that will fit his cookie sized head, he has a roommate who plays the same song on her recorder, and the ice cream shop ran out of his favorite type of ice cream sundae. As you keep reading, the cookie realizes that you are there to listen to him and all his problems and realizes he doesn't need to be so angry because he has you as his friend.
This is a great children's book to use in the classroom for young students on how to manage their feelings and to always listen to one another.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cookie is having a terrible day and everything is going wrong - he doesn’t like his roommate’s recorder playing, he gets a bad haircut, a pigeon tries to take a nibble of him - and he is very angry and doesn’t want the reader reading his book. In the end, Cookie realizes that the reader is a good friend for listening to him rant about his misfortune. While the premise of the story is good, the book as a whole just didn’t work for me. Cookie uses some language that we’re trying to avoid at home (calling someone annoying and saying that you hate something [he does address the use of “hate” and he does acknowledge that he shouldn’t say it]). You can also see his butt crack at one point, which takes away from the meaning of the book because now the reader is giggling and looking for more cookie booty cheeks. There are better books out there for learning to deal with anger and big emotions.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cookie had a bad day yesterday, and now he's one angry cookie.

Cookie is still angry from the day before when he had to listen to his roommate learning to play the recorder. Then he ran out of his favorite flavor of toothpaste. Then he got a bad haircut that he couldn't even hide under a hat because they don't make hats for cookies. Then the ice cream parlor was all out of his favorite treat, this denying him comfort food. Finally, a bird tried to eat him on his way home. It was really bad day. But Cookie realizes that telling the reader about him as made him feel better.

If you're looking for another book to help children deal with feeling mad and frustrated and teach emotional self-regulation, then this is one to add to your arsenal along with Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and My No No No Day.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminds me a bit of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Vorst. We meet Cookie as he's getting out of bed for the day and he keeps telling us to go away because he's angry. After a few pages he realizes that the reader isn't going anywhere and proceeds to tell us why he's angry. By the end, he's calmed down a bit and is happy to have a friend. I suppose this could be interpreted as passive-aggressive or friendship by clinging, but I read it more like The Monster at the End of This Book: things aren't as bad as they seem if we change our focus.

This is a great group read aloud with preschoolers to discuss different ways to handle big feelings. And, it's just fun with fantastic illustrations!

[Kirsti Call · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It all started yesterday when my roommate, Barbra, got out her new recorder. She only knows this one terrible song and keeps playing it over and over again. I hate the recorder! And you're not even allowed to use the word hate. But I just did, so there."

Reminiscent of THERE'S A MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK, this hilarious and interactive book will joke your child right out of a bad mood. The idea of an angry cookie is comical and Cookie's strong personality shows kids that feelings aren't permanent and it's okay to feel mad sometimes. This is a great book to evoke discussion around how thoughts leads to feelings and how to deal frustration.