A Very Cranky Book: Metafictional Picture Book for Kids

by Angela DiTerlizzi, Tony DiTerlizzi (Contributor)

The first picture book collaboration from bestselling husband-and-wife team Tony and Angela DiTerlizzi is the charmingly irreverent tale of a very cranky book . . . who might not be so cranky after all.

Are you ready to meet the world's crankiest book?

Cranky doesn't want to be read. He just wants you to leave him alone. After all, there are so many other things you can do--ride a bike, play a game, or draw a picture. There's no reason for you to be bothering him! But when other books show up for story time, will Cranky change his mind?

Angela and Tony DiTerlizzi, two creative forces, have crafted a story as silly as it is clever. In the vein of Grumpy Monkey and The Day the Crayons Quit, this tale humorously explores the big emotions of one very cranky book.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Emotion, Storytime, Fiction, Books About Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 19, 2023

About the author

Angela DiTerlizzi is a mom, wife, and author who loves writing books for children. Her picture books include Some Pets, Some Bugs, Baby Love, and Just Add Glitter. She and her husband, bestselling author/illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi, reside with their daughter in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readers meet a very cranky book when they open the pages of this DiTerlizzi collaboration. The book is not in the mood to be read and tells the reader to go away and find adventure elsewhere. But when the reader returns to the bookshelf they find several other books ready to present storytime. When Cranky Book hears this he interrupts and tells the reader they can do storytime together, just the two of them. Cranky proceeds to shove the other storybooks out of the picture. As the reader goes to leave Cranky Book becomes whiny and says maybe when the reader returns they might be in a slightly better mood.

I love the premise but the execution falls seriously flat.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous picture book about a grumpy book that does not want to be read and insists on being left alone. The other books don't understand this behavior and are excited about storytime. By the end of the book, the very cranky book may have had a change of heart. However, time's up. Maybe it will be different next time, but maybe not. Little ones will identify with sometimes not being in the mood for a specific activity, but also recognize that those feelings can change. An entertaining picture book that will be fun to share!

[Natasha Roslosnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Very Cranky Book

2nd Grade Class Review

Lily: “It was good. I would rate it 4 out of 5.”

Enrique: “I didn’t really like the book”

Evelyn: “I would rate it like Lily, I liked the book, it was good. I would rate it 4 out of 5.”

Gavin: “I rate it 10 out of 5, because it’s so good.”

Emerson: “I liked the book because it was a little silly. I would give it a 8 out of 5.”

Abood: “5 out of 5”

Kennedy: “I rate it 5 out of 5 because it was a little silly and I liked how it cheered up at the end.”

Christina: “I give it a 100 out of 5, no, make that 1,000 out of 5. That book was like the future that is going to happen to me and I am cranky-banky.”

Armaan: “I don’t know.”

[Ryal Mcmurry · Rating 5 out of 5]

The DiTerlizzi’s new book is hilarious. In the character of the cranky book, they have created a character whom kids can relate to and be amused by. He doesn’t want to be read, until he does.

This book is great, and as usual, Tony DiTerlizzi’s illustrations are fantastic. The husband and wife team are really a great partnership and their humor and love of books shine through in this story.

A great bonus is that if you remove the book’s dust jacket, the book looks just like Cranky!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

The thing about me is, if a picture book cover has an anthropomorphic book saying 'Go away.' on the cover, I am bound to love that book. This very CRANKY book is so charming and so cute and readers will immediately ask to read it again. There is also a Pagemaster vibe to the illustrations, which scratches a nostalgic itch in my brain exactly right. A fun fourth-wall breaking read aloud that would work to talk about emotional literacy as well.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers meet a book who is too cranky to be read. The book narrates its own story and watches as other books jump in to be read instead. The artwork captures the expressions of this book well so readers see how it changes during the story. By the end, it decides maybe it does want to be part of the joy but it's too late.

[Viviane Elbee]

A cranky book does not want to be read, and interacts directly with the reader… as well as other books.

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is dark, damp, cloudy Monday and this book just crossed my desk on its way to the new picture book shelf - it seems perfect for the setting outside - and I hope that the other books are ready for it, because they all seem a bit more happy. In some ways that is what the premise of this very funny picture book by Angela and Tony DiTerlizzi. This would be a perfect read aloud for a rainy morning in a classroom and it would certainly brighten it up. Everyone has bad days and this book in this story has no interest in being read. - that is until some of the other books in the playroom get together and try to change his mind. The illustrations are very lively - and - mixed with a few photographs (note the cat book and the T Rex outside in the backyard) will certainly get some laughs. It can be a great deal of fun an expressive read aloud due to the varied personalities of the books and of course the cranky main character. It is a very original idea and one that I am sure was inspired by that one kid - or maybe two, that simply do not want to be read to; and make sure that you take a peak under the dust jacket - the book in the story, just happens to be the one you are holding! Clever!

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you read to children regularly, you've no doubt come across the occasional grumpy child who does NOT want to hear a story today. This funny read-aloud by award-winning authors Angela and Tony DiTerlizzi is just the answer!

In the spirit of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day comes this original story about Cranky, a book who does NOT want to be read. Grouchy kiddos won't be able to hide a grin at Cranky's expressions, even as they are silently empathizing with his feelings. Other children will simply giggle at the whole idea of an angry talking book and enjoy the detailed, expressive illustrations!

Happily, Cranky's tolerant toy friends - each with their own unique personality that will be fun for storytellers to voice - gently nudge him out of his bad mood. Cranky does learn a lesson in anger management that will likely spark some great discussions. A great storytime resource when young friends are having a rough day or for a guidance lesson about managing feelings.

A Very Cranky Book goes on sale September 19, 2023. Thank you to Edelweiss and Harper Collins/Quill Tree Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: Did you look at my cover and think Wow this looks like a book I should pick up and read? Well, that was the worst idea in the HISTORY OF IDEAS. Because I am a very cranky book.

Premise/plot: The protagonist of this book is a VERY CRANKY BOOK. This is written in second person, the book is speaking directly to you, the reader. The book tries to discourage readers from reading him.

My thoughts: I didn't dislike this one. I just wasn't wowed. Of course, not every book will wow every reader. This one is all about 'breaking the fourth wall' and speaking directly to readers and "interacting" with them. It is very much premise driven. There isn't much substance beyond that gimmick. Of course, some may be amused by this one? It's certainly possible that there is an audience for this type of book. (And this isn't the first or last to use this gimmick.)

[Madison Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed “A Very Cranky Book” because it’s a fun story with a lot of humor and colorful illustrations. The cranky book adventure helps kids learn about handling their feelings and solving problems. The book is great for young children because it encourages them to talk about their feelings and emotions, helping them understand that it’s okay to have a bad day. I would share this in my classroom as a read aloud. This way students can enjoy the story and pictures together. After reading the book I will have a discussion with students about their off days to help them talk about their emotions and for them to know they are valued. This story will also go in the reading center for students to read in their alone time.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A certain book is a bit cranky today. It does not want to be read, but when the reader decides to pick something else up for story time, will it still be cranky?

A humorous concept with innovative illustrations. This book with a tough exterior shows that sometimes a cranky book (or person) just needs some love to wear them down into a more friendly book (or person). I think some good talking points for kids that could spring from this book are the consequences of how you treat others, and that sometimes the best response to crankiness is just kindness and love. I like that the cranky book apologizes before the end of the book.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think children will think this idea is cute. I actually had high hopes for this book as being something funny and sort of cutting.

The book is cranky and doesn't want to be read until the reader is about to leave. There is a library the book lives and other books come out and want to tell stories. The idea was thin and could have been a bit fleshed out more. As an adult, this is a 2 star book while I think kids will find it funny, so it gets 3 stars.

The artwork is fine. The books are colorful and it would be easy to want to read them.

[Emily Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storytime review
Storytime kids liked it, however if you do not have a solid plan for reading this book aloud, it will flop. I had to practice this book much more than usual and I had to actively involve the kids while reading for it to make sense. Sometimes I wish books like this would provide more structure for the read aloud but I also appreciate the creative freedom present. It worked well, but I could easily see this book flopping, it relies heavily on the charisma of the reader. Heavily recommend a like grumpy new york deli type of voice.

[Laura (Librarian) Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why did you even pick this book up? It says it right there on the front - A Very Cranky Book - Go away! Maybe you came to find out why it is cranky? We all do get a little cranky sometimes.

I love the other books that appear in this book! It is a fun silly book. Would work for both read aloud to a class and talk about feelings, as well as a cuddle and read with your kid book for chuckles and heartfelt talks about what makes use feel cranky.

[Bree Sotirovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be very delightful. It gave off the same vibes that Andy Lee's books do, with not wanting the next page to be turned. This book is rather cranky and his bad mood means we should try reading another day. However, once we decide not to read anymore, the cranky book is ready! Sometimes we just need to give our cranky friends some time to feel comfortable.

The illustrations are cute.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very cranky book is pushing away the reader until other books begin a storytime together, leaving out the cranky book. As expected the cranky book wants the reader focused only on him.

I see this as a marvelously fun read aloud. I love books that talk directly to my students. (I was/am a huge fan of The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Very Hungry Bear by Don Wood.)

[Lauren Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems like it would be great read aloud, but it just wasn't enough for me. It's about a cranky book who doesn't want to be read; he later has a change of heart. The book says ages 4-8 but I think it is more appealing to the younger ages. I think having a really good 'cranky book' voice would help save this as a read aloud.

This book is part of Wisconsin's 2025 Battle of the Books.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cranky book doesn't want to be read.

This book struck me as a book written for adults despite being in a picture book format. Older readers will enjoy the book as a stand-in for a grumpy toddler or preschooler while younger readers may or may not be mildly amused that a book doesn't want to be read even though the book's purpose is to be read.

[Hannah Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a humorous text about a book that is very cranky and does not want to be read. Through the pages, he tries to get you to stop reading, but by the end, he has a change of heart and wants us to stay even though we have to go.
- This would be a fun book to show students that sometimes we need to be patient with friends that are having a bad day.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another meta picture book that most people will only read once. There's some potential here, like with the side characters that you can give unique voices to while reading aloud, but this has very limited appeal beyond the gimmick, which has already been done into the ground.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

The old adage that you can't judge a book by its cover, well, in this case it's true. This book is by far the crankiest book ever to sit on a bookshelf, or show-up at story time. Good luck on making it be less cranky.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny story with terrific illustrations. Cranky is, well, cranky. He wants to be left alone. He wants people to find something else to do which does not include reading him. When other books appear for story time he starts to feel better. There’s comfort in friends, a wonderful lesson.

[bibliophagy · Rating 2 out of 5]

going back and forth with myself about giving this one somewhere between 1&3 stars, so i met myself in the middle with 2. there are so many problems with this text, but there's a few redeeming moments too. i know some kids who would probably like this book, but i'd be hesitant for them to read it.

[emyrose8 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can think of a few students who could benefit from reading this book... Cute illustrations, great dialogue.

Teachable- feelings and emotions, inferring what characters are feeling based on expressions

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not just a little cranky, but it's very cranky. Read at your own risk of witnessing this crankiness.

This book talks to the reader and will make them chuckle. We've all had our bouts of crankiness, so this should be something we can all relate to, for better or for worse. Ha!

[Alexis Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cranky book is upset until his friends come over and cheer him and help him with his emotions. This book is much like children, and helps teach them that their emotions are valid and can be modified.

[Anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and perfect for a read-aloud! This makes me miss my weekly reading time with my elementary kiddos <3

[Kelly]

A very meh book.

[Meghan Bohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the fact that the kitty board book has both a front and back cover. :)