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Mr. Men #27
Mr. Grumpy
Mr. Grumpy is in a BAD mood, until he gets a visit from Mr. Tickle!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
6 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Roger Hargreaves
1,324 books367 followersRoger Hargreaves was a British cartoonist, illustrator and writer of children's books. He created the Mr. Men series, Little Miss series and Timbuctoo series, intended for young readers. The simple and humorous stories, with bold, brightly coloured illustrations, have sales of more than 85 million copies worldwide in 20 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 6, 2018
Mr. Grumpy needs a good kick in the ass. Luckily, Mr. Happy is the person helping him. Instead of magic in this one, he gets Mr. Tickle to help teach Mr. Grumpy a lesson.
My Nephew loves Mr. Tickle. I mean loves him. So, he loves this book to pieces. We read it twice in a row. "Read it again". He gave it 10 stars.
Mr. Grumpy is very mean. After you read 50 of these little books, they all start to blend together, at least for an adult. They are pretty much the same formula. I try and keep the wall paper of each separate. But, the nephew loves them so much, I want to get through them all for him.
My Nephew loves Mr. Tickle. I mean loves him. So, he loves this book to pieces. We read it twice in a row. "Read it again". He gave it 10 stars.
Mr. Grumpy is very mean. After you read 50 of these little books, they all start to blend together, at least for an adult. They are pretty much the same formula. I try and keep the wall paper of each separate. But, the nephew loves them so much, I want to get through them all for him.
August 27, 2021
Poor Mr. Grumpy! Sure, he was in a bad mood... Sure, he was taking it out on other people in a highly inappropriate manner... but what Mr. Happy and Mr. Tickle did to him was nothing short of bullying! At no point in this story did anybody think to ask Mr. Grumpy what was wrong. He was clearly suffering, possibly even at the mercy of a deep depression, and all the other Mr. Men could think to do was physically assault him! (Tickling counts as assault if it's unsolicited, right?)
Still, I can't give this book fewer than 4 stars due to Mr. Grumpy stamping on Mr. Happy's foot. That wiped the smile off the smug little bugger's face...
My next book: The Butterfly Garden
Still, I can't give this book fewer than 4 stars due to Mr. Grumpy stamping on Mr. Happy's foot. That wiped the smile off the smug little bugger's face...
My next book: The Butterfly Garden
September 7, 2021
Mr. Grumpy is a monster - tearing up books just because he's in a mood!
Many of the books in the series follows similar pattern of the main protagonist flaw being corrected over the course of the story.
What makes this entry slightly more enjoyable is the appearance of two other favourite characters the series.
Both Mr. Happy and Mr. Tickle were the perfect candidates to try and stop Mr. Grumpy being so unnecessarily snappy with everyone.
Many of the books in the series follows similar pattern of the main protagonist flaw being corrected over the course of the story.
What makes this entry slightly more enjoyable is the appearance of two other favourite characters the series.
Both Mr. Happy and Mr. Tickle were the perfect candidates to try and stop Mr. Grumpy being so unnecessarily snappy with everyone.
July 20, 2024
Mr Grumpy has to be one of the most relatable Mr Men books. He's grumpy but it's completely understandable, not only is his next door neighbour constantly happy, even in today's cost of living crisis, but he also keeps getting his menace of a best mate to assault him all day.
I know if I was just going about my day and some serial assaulter kept making me drop my expensive shopping because he has ridiculously long spaghetti arms perfectly evolved for tickling, I'd be grumpy too.
And the part where he opens a book and immediately rips all the pages out? If I'd have bought a physical copy of 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' I'd have been tempted to do the same.
I guess the moral of this story is bullying makes people grumpy, poor fella.
I know if I was just going about my day and some serial assaulter kept making me drop my expensive shopping because he has ridiculously long spaghetti arms perfectly evolved for tickling, I'd be grumpy too.
And the part where he opens a book and immediately rips all the pages out? If I'd have bought a physical copy of 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' I'd have been tempted to do the same.
I guess the moral of this story is bullying makes people grumpy, poor fella.
February 2, 2019
An Attitude Problem
2 February 2019 – Portland, Victoria
There seem to be people out there that simply do not like anything. Mr Grumpy happens to be one of those people. For instance, he hates books to the point that he will rip out all of the pages (though, of course we have no idea what that book was called, let along what it was about – it might have actually been the book that I was reading, or it could have been Fifty Shades of Grey). Also, he really doesn’t like flowers in his garden, so he basically goes around ripping them all up. Honestly, once again I’m probably not surprised, especially if these flowers happen to be weeds, such as sour sobs, or even dandilions – as far as I am aware, a weed is basically a plant growning where it is not supposed to grow (unless of course it happens to be that other sort of weed).
Well, guess who pays a visit to Mr Grumpy? Mr Happy of course, but it seems that Mr Grumpy really doesn’t like guests, so basically tells him to get lost. Of course, Mr Happy can’t leave things well enough alone, so decides that something needs to be done about Mr Grumpy’s attitude, so basically summons the help of Mr Tickle, who we might remember used to be somewhat mischievous himself. Well, this time he is apparently putting his gifts to good work by teaching Mr Grumpy a lesson in being a little bit more polite to people.
I guess that is the thing here, and that is attitude, no so much to the flowers because, honestly, you can’t have random flowers popping up over your nicely manicured garden, but rather attitude towards other people, particularly shop keepers, who are really only trying to help. It is even worse if you happen to be in customer service, because a grumpy old person in customer service really isn’t going to be doing all that well. Mind you, there might be a really good reason why he is so grumpy – he could actually work in customer service, namely because for some people that just takes so much energy out of you the last thing you want to do when you get home is to actually deal with people. Honestly, spending all your working hours being nice to people, particularly when they aren’t being nice to you, certainly takes a lot out of you.
Mind you, this whole Mr Happy rocking up uninvited certainly shouldn’t raise any alarm bells either. This is the thing with our culture – we like our privacy, and we certainly don’t like people turning up unannounced and expect us to drop everything an entertain us. However, that is something that is particular with our culture because, well, there are many other cultures out there where it is actually quite rude to not entertain guests. In fact, if people turn up at your house you are expected to welcome them in and entertain them, and don’t even think about kicking them out when you no longer feel like entertaining because that is also a big no no.
I guess the whole thing here is getting Mr Grumpy to just, well, loosen up somewhat. He certainly isn’t the type of person who is all that pleasant to be around. However, there is a social aspect to being human, and I guess that is what is being portrayed here. Being a grumpy recluse really isn’t all that healthy to our psyche. This is what Mr Happy is trying to do – to actually help Mr Grumpy becoming a healthier person in that he can not only learn how to behave appropriately around people, but to also relax and maybe enjoy their company. However, what I also notice is that there is a suggestion that such things do take time, and change certainly won’t come about overnight. At least Mr Grumpy has managed to restrain himself somewhat when it comes to ripping pages out of a book (no matter how bad that book happens to be).
2 February 2019 – Portland, Victoria
There seem to be people out there that simply do not like anything. Mr Grumpy happens to be one of those people. For instance, he hates books to the point that he will rip out all of the pages (though, of course we have no idea what that book was called, let along what it was about – it might have actually been the book that I was reading, or it could have been Fifty Shades of Grey). Also, he really doesn’t like flowers in his garden, so he basically goes around ripping them all up. Honestly, once again I’m probably not surprised, especially if these flowers happen to be weeds, such as sour sobs, or even dandilions – as far as I am aware, a weed is basically a plant growning where it is not supposed to grow (unless of course it happens to be that other sort of weed).
Well, guess who pays a visit to Mr Grumpy? Mr Happy of course, but it seems that Mr Grumpy really doesn’t like guests, so basically tells him to get lost. Of course, Mr Happy can’t leave things well enough alone, so decides that something needs to be done about Mr Grumpy’s attitude, so basically summons the help of Mr Tickle, who we might remember used to be somewhat mischievous himself. Well, this time he is apparently putting his gifts to good work by teaching Mr Grumpy a lesson in being a little bit more polite to people.
I guess that is the thing here, and that is attitude, no so much to the flowers because, honestly, you can’t have random flowers popping up over your nicely manicured garden, but rather attitude towards other people, particularly shop keepers, who are really only trying to help. It is even worse if you happen to be in customer service, because a grumpy old person in customer service really isn’t going to be doing all that well. Mind you, there might be a really good reason why he is so grumpy – he could actually work in customer service, namely because for some people that just takes so much energy out of you the last thing you want to do when you get home is to actually deal with people. Honestly, spending all your working hours being nice to people, particularly when they aren’t being nice to you, certainly takes a lot out of you.
Mind you, this whole Mr Happy rocking up uninvited certainly shouldn’t raise any alarm bells either. This is the thing with our culture – we like our privacy, and we certainly don’t like people turning up unannounced and expect us to drop everything an entertain us. However, that is something that is particular with our culture because, well, there are many other cultures out there where it is actually quite rude to not entertain guests. In fact, if people turn up at your house you are expected to welcome them in and entertain them, and don’t even think about kicking them out when you no longer feel like entertaining because that is also a big no no.
I guess the whole thing here is getting Mr Grumpy to just, well, loosen up somewhat. He certainly isn’t the type of person who is all that pleasant to be around. However, there is a social aspect to being human, and I guess that is what is being portrayed here. Being a grumpy recluse really isn’t all that healthy to our psyche. This is what Mr Happy is trying to do – to actually help Mr Grumpy becoming a healthier person in that he can not only learn how to behave appropriately around people, but to also relax and maybe enjoy their company. However, what I also notice is that there is a suggestion that such things do take time, and change certainly won’t come about overnight. At least Mr Grumpy has managed to restrain himself somewhat when it comes to ripping pages out of a book (no matter how bad that book happens to be).
May 3, 2020
Sunday night family read sharing over the phone.
September 28, 2015
Ah, Mr Men and Little Miss, how wonderful you are!
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
These books made up so much of my childhood. No matter what I would go ahead and pick one up. I worked my way through them all a couple of times. Each one has a wonderful story for the child to engage with, each character being fun to read.
Everyone has a bias for their favourite character, yet every book is delightful.
September 20, 2017
This book was one of my favorites of the Mr Men series. The surprise visits from Mr Happy and Mr Tickle really enhanced the book. And I love how Mr Grumpy is verified as a truly villainous character by the fact that he tears books apart. As an obvious book lover, that action set Mr Grumpy far down on my list!!
February 4, 2017
Mr grumpy is a bitter old bastard.
December 17, 2022
What more to say? Mr. Grumpy & ALL the MR MEN books are an aid to young children in identifying the moods of OTHERS & THEMSELVES. A great help in growing up EMOTIONALLY LITERATE.
February 19, 2021
Badly written, I would be even more grumpy if I dropped everything over and over
February 20, 2023
Short but funny
December 11, 2019
So grumpy!!
August 22, 2023
A poignant story about how being grumpy will lead to being tickled in public.
March 30, 2015
Think I’m right in stating that as a boy I had all the pre-1990 Mr Men books with the possible exception of “Mr Snow”. Looking at all the covers apart from the latter jogged my memory.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
Sadly I remember little about the stories now, despite reading them numerous times during my boyhood, plus watching the Mr Men cartoons more than once.
Reckon the last time I would’ve read these was 1983, though may have returned to them as late as 1985. Although I’ve forgotten almost everything about this title and all the others I feel that owing to the amount of times I read each publication that they all deserve to be rated five stars.
I’m grateful to Roger Hargreaves for brightening up my childhood with both his Mr Men and the Timbuctoo series of books.
April 28, 2010
An apt book for me, according to my wife. I think (and hope) she was kidding!
It's a simple tale of an everyday grouch, and psycho book destroyer, who undergoes a radical change thanks to kind acquaintances.
I think we all know a Mr Grumpy in real life, stomping around, intimidating people and not facing up to their shortcomings.
If only real life grumps could be cured in the same way - the world would be a happier place!
It's a simple tale of an everyday grouch, and psycho book destroyer, who undergoes a radical change thanks to kind acquaintances.
I think we all know a Mr Grumpy in real life, stomping around, intimidating people and not facing up to their shortcomings.
If only real life grumps could be cured in the same way - the world would be a happier place!
August 18, 2013
I absolutely loved these Mr Men and Little Miss books. I remember getting them from my granny every week. There was so much from these simple characters, I remember filling my little bookshelf with all these books making sure I had got them all in right order. I wish I still had these books but somehow most of them got lost with many house moves or my mum gave the rest away. If I ever have kids, I will make sure they get the chance to experience these wonderful, colourful books.
February 24, 2015
Synopsis: "Mr. Grumpy is in a BAD mood?until he gets a visit from Mr. Tickle!"
My Review: This has been the best Mr. Men book so far. Munchkin actually was able to sit through the whole book and pay attention. He loved when Mr. Tickle would sneak up on Mr. Grumpy. He even tells me when I am being grumpy that he is going to tickle me, so I think a little lesson was taken from this book.
My Review: This has been the best Mr. Men book so far. Munchkin actually was able to sit through the whole book and pay attention. He loved when Mr. Tickle would sneak up on Mr. Grumpy. He even tells me when I am being grumpy that he is going to tickle me, so I think a little lesson was taken from this book.
April 8, 2011
In this book, Mr. Grumpy is usually very hostile. In the end, he becomes happy though. This book does a great job explaining to children what different emotions are based on common prior knowledge.
June 16, 2008
What happens when a grouch meets happy people. This would tell you, at least on a basic level.
October 21, 2011
Always a hit in our house and my pet name for Henry.
July 18, 2012
My mother-in-law brought this book back from London for our son.
July 7, 2013
What are you going to lose Mr. Grumpy if you smile a little or be kind a little? All thanking to Mr. Happy, it was a great plan which made you changing even a little.
November 4, 2013
Monsieur Grincheux (in French) is entertaining, perhaps more so than the English version.
December 27, 2016
I did not like this book because I do not like being grumpy. I also did not like this book because Mr. Grumpy was too grumpy.
February 7, 2020
6 year old says... Mr Messy is a living scribble, I hate Mr grumpy. If he kicked me, I'd slap him back.
40 year old says... quick synopsis, Mr grumpy is not a morning person. Mr happy invades his garden and starts giving it large. Mr happy then gets his mate Mr Tickle to follow mr grumpy around physically assaulting him several times. Mr happy then openly threatens Mr grumpy to be more cheerful or he will carry on being physically abused. Mr happy and Mr Tickle think this is hilarious. It's no wonder Mr grumpy isn't happy if people treat him like this. It's shameful bullying from Mr H. He should know better. But let's be honest, as long as he's happy he couldn't give a monkeys about anyone else. Selfish and appalling - this is not a children's book.
11 year old says... cheddar cheese
40 year old says... quick synopsis, Mr grumpy is not a morning person. Mr happy invades his garden and starts giving it large. Mr happy then gets his mate Mr Tickle to follow mr grumpy around physically assaulting him several times. Mr happy then openly threatens Mr grumpy to be more cheerful or he will carry on being physically abused. Mr happy and Mr Tickle think this is hilarious. It's no wonder Mr grumpy isn't happy if people treat him like this. It's shameful bullying from Mr H. He should know better. But let's be honest, as long as he's happy he couldn't give a monkeys about anyone else. Selfish and appalling - this is not a children's book.
11 year old says... cheddar cheese
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2018
Mr Grumpy why are you so grumpy? But thanks kind sir for you bridged the gap and I have now read the first 28 books of the series and there is a couple more to bridge the next gap. M ore entertainment and humour, all be it gentle and well perhaps genteel from Hargreaves. Good fun though. Roll on the next one!! This book has a little key to the whole meaning of the Mr men universe, or misterland. To truly understand it you need to realise that Mr Happy is the key to everything.
February 11, 2020
Mr. Grumpy is extremely bad-tempered until Mr. Happy intervenes.
The first thing Mr. Grumpy does when the reader meets him is tear all the pages out of a book. I was shocked. Luckily, the devious Mr. Tickle gets the better of Mr. Grumpy, causing him to reform ... somewhat.
The first thing Mr. Grumpy does when the reader meets him is tear all the pages out of a book. I was shocked. Luckily, the devious Mr. Tickle gets the better of Mr. Grumpy, causing him to reform ... somewhat.
January 19, 2021
Mr. grumpy was so grumpy. So mr grumpy got tickled so many times he didn’t know what was going on but it was mr tickle from the other book. Mr happy was also in this book. He made a plan to tickle mr grumpy so many times.
September 18, 2023
I'm no clinician but I'd say Mr Grumpy is depressed, simple as. In the fantasy world of Roger Hargreaves, Mr Grumpy is tolerated as opposed to being locked away for his own good, which is nice. He's not rattling from all the pills he's been forced to take neither. So: a bit far-fetched.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews