The Grumpy Reindeer: A Winter Story About Friendship and Kindness

by D.K. Publishing

Snuggle up and share this magical Christmas story that teaches little ones about the importance of friendship and why we should always be kind.

Teach kids about the power of kindness in The Grumpy Reindeer , through a journey to the North Pole to meet the grumpiest reindeer there ever was.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! But not for one grumpy reindeer. He huffs and puffs and scares all the other reindeer off. But when Santa asks for his help, grumpy reindeer soon realizes that sometimes being on your own isn’t fun after all… With the most festive illustrations, adults and children will love to read aloud and follow the story of this reindeer to see if his frown turns upside down!

This heartwarming picture book for 0-5 year

- Promotes children’s social interaction, helping to build friendships and social skills from a young age
- Is full of adorable illustrations that bring Christmas animals to life, alongside an engaging story
- Has a small format with sturdy pages, making it perfect for adults to share with their children
- Spreads an important message about acceptance and the power of being kind to others 
- Makes the perfect Christmas gift for little ones to enjoy during the festive season

From the bestselling book, The Happy Pumpkin , comes an enchanting Christmas book for kids about making room for others and what it means to be good-hearted. Little ones will begin to understand that while everyone should have a shoulder to lean on, first we need to show kindness in order to get it back.

Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday

18 pages, Board Book

Published September 6, 2022

About the author

Dorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.

Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.

Source: Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Whitney Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grumpy Reindeer is a cute and sweet little holiday story!! Children’s Christmas books are my favorite to read and I’m so excited to add this one to my collection! The bright, beautiful illustrations draw you right in and grab your attention. The lesson in this book was wonderful too, teaching children that it’s important to have a good attitude and to be kind to others.

Thank you DK books, and Net Galley, for an ARC of this in return for my honest review!

[Emer Tannam · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this. The grumpy reindeer was forced to change who he was in order to have friends

[MookNana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ronnie is a grumpy reindeer who doesn't like Christmas or bright lights or loud noises. He just wants to hang out in his warm stable and enjoy some peace and quiet while reading. However, when Santa needs help, he's willing to answer the call, but can't do it alone. Can he convince the other reindeer to pitch in?

This didn't quite land for me. While the illustrations are adorable, the story seems to unfairly make Ronnie "wrong" just because he likes quiet and isn't particularly sociable. I didn't see any evidence that he was rude or unkind, he's just not a joiner and prefers less stimulation. He was willing to help Santa without question and willing to push himself out of his comfort zone to do so. With that being the case, I wasn't crazy about Ronnie having to apologize to the other reindeer or for him having a "redemption arc" where he suddenly became unrelentingly cheerful. I get that the author was trying to go for a positive message, but either Ronnie needed to actually be unkind and learn the error of his ways, or the moral of the story needed to be that Ronnie is fine the way he is and that it's ok to be yourself.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review.

[Alison Chorney-Dubien · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book! The graphics are adorable, the reindeer characters are fun and the story is a feel good lesson for children (and all). The author did a great job with the flow of the story, the mix of the story text and character word bubbles and emotion. I want to pick up a copy of this one for my Christmas book stash :-)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me the eARC of this beautiful children's book in exchange for my honest review and opinion.

5 star!!!!

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone has some "Grumpy Reindeer" in their life come Christmastime. (For me, it's my brother). But this sweet story about kindness and love, even when it doesn't come naturally, will be one families will enjoy reading during the busy holiday season.

Personally, I thought the writing could have been better. It lacked some oomph. However, I know that all holiday books market EXTREMELY well and not many care about the style and flow and depth.

I received this book on Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Dana A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… except if you’re Ronnie the reindeer! Ronnie is a grouch and prefers being left alone, never participating when his peers invite him to join in the festivities. When Santa asks him to deliver presents on Christmas Eve, Ronnie must ask the other reindeer to help him carry out this task so that the children won’t be disappointed on Christmas morning! Ronnie knows he has not been kind and worries the reindeer won’t want to help him because of the way he’s treated them. Ronnie quickly learns the value of friendship and kindness. This book is so very cute and I highly recommend for parents, teachers, and librarians who are looking for a holiday book to add to your children’s collection! The illustrations are phenomenal!🎄❤️🎄

Thanks to NetGalley and DK Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Srujan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet book about how being kind and polite to people around us goes a long way. But, I felt that this one slightly lacked nuance. Kindness and Etiquette should not become a transaction, a message the kids might take inadvertently.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read to the girls - a book about kindness.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect little book for the grumpiest of littles [and those who may be introverted and enjoy time alone and therefore come off as grumpy], it tells the story of a grumpy reindeer in Santa's workshop who just wants to be alone. When Santa needs help, he learns that being nice and helping others will result in help when asked and friends you never knew you needed.

Absolutely delightful with some really colorful and lovely illustrations. I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and DK Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[A Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unlike the other reindeer, Ronnie does not get excited about Christmas - the lights are too bright and the carols are too loud. Ronnie prefers to be alone with his books in his warm stable rather than playing in the snow with the others. Ronnie doesn't even talk to the other reindeers when they offer to share their carrots! But then Santa asks Ronnie to "save Christmas" and Ronnie cannot deliver the presents without help pulling the "enormous" sleigh. (I thought enormous would be a great vocabulary word from this book, by the way.) Santa tells Ronnie, "If you are kind and cheerful to others, they will treat you the same!" Ronnie apologizes to the other reindeer and shows them little acts of kindness before asking them to help him pull the sleigh, which they happily agree to do. In the end, Ronnie finds that he likes being helpful and being with his friends so now he is "the happiest reindeer of all!" To be honest, Ronnie reminds me of children I know who are on the autism spectrum; maybe some noise canceling headphones would have helped with those loud carols! Instead of Ronnie changing entirely because of what Santa said, I wish that perhaps Ronnie changed his behavior some and that the other reindeers learned to understand Ronnie better, too.

[Christina Pauze (is in a reading slump) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it a 3.5 The illustrations were cute and nostalgic for me but wow this story writign was lazy. I won't bee to picky I think this story can easily show that all you need to do is pretend to be nice to get what you want, but if that is what your child automatically thinks when reading this book . . . there might be bigger issues.

I think the writers new what this books was, a large scale book that was writen for a quick fix. So although I wouldn't be made if this was read out to children in teh public library, I think there are better ones out there - but at the same time it was a good enough message that I don't have any issues with it.

would I recommend this book 50/50 I guess. If I was in a rush to find something to show to a bunch of 2-4 year old then fine they won't remember it anyway, but as a quality book you can read every year and enjoy it as a family, not so much.

[Kelly Green's Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know Dasher & Dancer & Comet & Cupid…but do you recall the GRUMPIEST reindeer of ALL?!!

With the adorable illustrations and Christmas themed storyline this was a really fun book to read. While there is a clear them of kindness developed in this story, I also saw another perspective. What if Ronnie was neurodivergent and social gatherings and loud parties really bother him? I thought even, perhaps he was not participating with the other reindeer because he maybe even had trouble socializing with them in the same way. This is a great way to present all of these differing points of view to young readers in a fun way. What a great way to engage in this conversation with our young reader to get their opinion on this matter too.

Emotional awareness is really important at any age and being grumpy is sometimes ok too.


Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley & DK, DK Children

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picture book is a great new Christmas-themed classic children are sure to read again and again this holiday season! The story is about a grouchy reindeer who learns that kindness and helping others feels really great and can make even the grumpiest reindeer happy after all. Filled with nice detailed pictures, cute speech bubbles and a little bit of Christmas magic, this book has everything that young children want in a picture book. I would recommend this book for parents looking for a non-toy item for Christmas or for teachers looking to add another great book to their holiday collection. I think this book would be great for children in the age 3-9 range. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ronnie was a grumpy reindeer and he didn't like Christmas at all. All the other reindeer loved everything about Christmas. Ronnie doesn't talk or play with the other reindeer. They did not understand how he could not like Christmas. But then one Christmas Santa came to Ronnie and said I have a job for you. I still have a sleigh with presents in it and they need to be delivered. Ronnie didn't want to disappoint the little children so he told Santa he would do it. And Santa gave him some pointers about how to win over the other reindeer so they would help him. By being kind to the others they said yes. And that changed Ronnie's outlook on Christmas and he was no longer the grumpy Reindeer.
Beautiful book with great illustrations that children will love.

[Karen Firstbrook · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Grumpy Reindeer is a quick holiday read for those looking for a holiday children's book.
The premise of the book is that Ronnie is a grumpy reindeer who likes to be left alone. He doesn't join in with games or fun or any other reindeer activities.
But when Santa is desperate and needs Ronnie to help out on Christmas Eve, Ronnie is willing but realizes he can't help out alone. In order to garner the help of the other reindeer, Ronnie showers them with compliments and kind words.
While the concept of kindness is a good one, you could easily take Ronnie's kindness and compliments as manipulation for getting what you want - even if what you want is a good and honorable thing.
While the illustrations are bright and cheerful, the overall tone of the book just didn't work for me.

[Kelsey Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited about this book, and when it started with ‘Twas the night before Christmas was expecting a rhyming story, which this was not. I don’t dislike children’s books that don’t rhyme, but when your brain thinks a book is going to go one way and doesn’t it can be disappointing. I think I would have liked the book better if the first line was different. Overall it’s a cute story with sweet illustrations about a reindeer in a bad mood turns things around with a little help from Santa Claus.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the early e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren Gibson (rocknreader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about Ronnie the grumpy reindeer. Santa needs his help to deliver one final sleigh of presents and a Ronnie knows he can’t do it on his own and will need help from the other reindeer. He realizes the power of being kind and being part of a team. He compliments the other reindeer and helps them with their tasks and then they are willing to help him, it’s got a good message and the illustration is great!

Thanks to NetGalley and DK Publishing for access to this digital ARC!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, secular Christmas story with a message of kindness.

The grumpy reindeer doesn't fit in with the other reindeer because of his sour attitude. Can he learn something new in time to help Santa and save Christmas?

My kids enjoyed this story. The illustrations are colorful and friendly. I prefer message of intrinsically-motivated kindness, but at least the reindeer is trying to help Santa. This book would make a fun stocking stuffer for toddlers and preschoolers.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an advance copy in exchange for our honest review!

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Board Book
I received an electronic ARC from DK through NetGalley.
Ronnie is not your usual reindeer. He is unhappy and grumpy about life. Sadly, he refuses to interact with the other reindeer and keeps to himself. He learns a valuable lesson about kindness when Santa asks him to pull a sleigh with toys for children. With Santa's help, Ronnie figures out how to apologize for his rudeness and reach out for help.
Simple text and dialogue for younger readers. Terrific story to share before Christmas to introduce being kind and being a friend. The illustrations are charming and full of energy.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of Santa's reindeer keeps to himself and doesn't want any friends or anything. He is just a big grump. But when Santa asks him for help, he learns that doing for others makes life better. I am more used to the bigger comprehensive books from DK, but this one does NOT disappoint.
The illustrations by Clare Wilson are clearly delightful, colorful, vibrant, and very imaginative.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age and also for ESL readers.
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from DK/DK Children via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Alex Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this before hand to read and it was such a cute story about a Reindeer who is grumpy but learns that kindness is a wonderful thing and is able to get the help of others to finish a task for Santa. The illustrations are so good and my little ones especially enjoyed the story. If you get the chance to grab this book for your children I highly recommend doing so. #TheGrumpyReindeer #NetGalley

[Alex Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy of this before hand to read and it was such a cute story about a Reindeer who is grumpy but learns that kindness is a wonderful thing and is able to get the help of others to finish a task for Santa. The illustrations are so good and my little ones especially enjoyed the story. If you get the chance to grab this book for your children I highly recommend doing so. #TheGrumpyReindeer #NetGalley 📚 #bookstagram #bookreview

[Elizabeth Seibel · Rating 4 out of 5]

#TheGrumpyReindeer was a cute story about a reindeer who is different from the other reindeer. While all the others are enjoying the most wonderful time of the year, the grumpy reindeer is, well, grumpy. Thankfully he's not so grumpy that he ruins things for everyone. This is definitely a cute read before Christmas on our countdown to Christmas reading list. This copy was given to me by #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[zasou.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the most wonderful time of the year--but not for one grumpy reindeer! He huffs and puffs and scares all the other reindeer off. But when Santa asks him for his help, the grumpy reindeer soon realizes that sometimes being on your own isn't fun after all!
This was super cute, the illustrations were beautiful, and what a great life lesson for the little ones (that some adults could really use too!).
I received this book in exchange for my honest review by NetGalley and DK.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our younger kids loved this story. They did ask why a grumpy reindeer would want to help Santa, but the story ended up being more than that. When the reindeer is asked to help deliver presents he doesn't hesitate, but he knows he needs help. This is a story showing children that when we are kind to others they will be kind back.

Thank you NetGalley and DK for the opportunity to read this book.

[Cheyenne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Grumpy Reindeer is full of colorful illustrations. It tells a story about a reindeer who finds kindness and cheerfulness brings happiness to his own life as well as others. It’s the perfect story to read before Christmas.

Thank you NetGalley and DK for the opportunity to review this book.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are cute and the moral of the book is teamwork and a good attitude. A quick read about being treating others as you'd like to be treated.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and DK Children for the eARC.

Very cute story about friendship and kindness. Ronnie, the Grumpy Reindeer, learns to overcome his grumpiness to save Christmas. My 4 year old son loved this book. I can see adding this to our library and/or classrooms. Beautiful artwork.

[Sarah Dodds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ronnie the Reindeer is a grump. He discovers that helping others can help make him happy! I will love using this title with my first graders especially as we learn about character strengths of helpfulness and kindness.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

While this book had charm to it, I would find it best to include in my classroom as independent reading/picture exploration than as a read aloud text. In this way, this book would serve a wonderful purpose!