Grumpy Monkey Ready, Set, Bananas!

Grumpy Monkey Step into reading

by Suzanne Lang, Max Lang (Illustrations)

Funny monkey Jim Panzee, star of the #1 New York Times bestselling series, tries to show emerging readers how to get rid of a bad mood.

Grumpy Monkey Jim Panzee wakes up one morning and decides that it's time for a new Jim. He asks his jungle friends to get him so mad that he can get rid of all his grumpy feelings and will be a grumpy monkey no more. It seems to work until his friend Norman reminds Jim that it's best just to be himself, grumps and all.

Easy-to-read words and colorful illustrations will hook young readers on the lifelong habit of reading.

Step 2 readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories. They are perfect for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Humor

32 pages, Library Binding

Published September 7, 2021

About the author

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

Reviews

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

This easy reader is hilarious! It is race day and monkey is starting off wrong. His friend turtle hits him on the head to wake him up. He begs Jim to carry him in the race so he can win this time. Jim the monkey is not wanting to do this but finally gives in. Twist at the end and hilarious illustrations throughout. Kids will love this one. Highly recommended for Grades K-2.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grumpy Monkey is my spirit animal! He doesn’t want to run in any race! He’s napping, dreaming of bananas, when Tortoise bonks him on the head with a stick. “Are you awake?” What do YOU think, Tortoise?!? DO NOT MESS WITH ME WHEN I’M TRYING TO SLEEP!! Do not mess with Jim, either!! Oxpecker found this out in another book!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some view it as a retelling of the tortoise and hare because a tortoise wants to race but it's a Grumpy Monkey reader. It actually does both jobs and is enjoyed more if you know your Grumpy Monkey characters.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was eager to read this series both as a follow-up to the picture books and as a student of early readers. This is a fun read with a slightly non sequitur storyline which nevertheless delivers a satisfying ending and some laughs. The best in the series so far.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The jungle gang has a race.

[Holly Letson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun retelling of "The Tortoise 🐢 and the Hare 🐇".

[Awjtf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Grumpy Monkey!

[Magnus Lien · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a little funny read it

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tortoise wins the race thanks to Norman's banana tree debacle.