Grumpy Badger's Christmas [Hardcover]

Paul Bright (Author), Jane Chapman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2009 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

It's nearly Christmas, but Grumpy Badger's in an intolerable mood.

The forest is a flurry of activity, with everyone putting up the Christmas tree, wrapping presents, and making yummy treats. Didn't they know - that Christmas and the long cold winter are meant for sleeping straight through?

"Piffle!" shouts Grumpy Badger. "I don't like presents and I don't like Christmas!" So he snuggles under his thick, down comforter and settles in for a snooze.

But then there's a knock - followed by another, and another. When the merriment of Christmas comes right to his door, how long Grumpy Badger refuse?

Chapman's masterfully-drawn illustrations extend the magic of Christmas to the animal world.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2–All of the forest animals are enthusiastically preparing for Christmas–except for Grumpy Badger, who is, of course, too sensible to enjoy such nonsense. After all, everyone knows that winter is a time for sleeping, which is exactly what he plans to do if everyone will stop knocking on his door and bothering him. Children will delight in Grumpy Badger's eventual discovery of the joys of the season. There are plenty of fun sound effects and Scrooge-influenced outbursts (&Bah! Piffle!). Chapman's cheery acrylic paintings are perfectly suited to the text, providing adorably expressive creatures in a wintry yet cozy timberland.–Linda Israelson, Los Angeles Public Library END

About the Author

Paul Bright is a Good Books author.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 26 pages
• Publisher: Good Books (October 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561486736
• ISBN-13: 978-1561486731
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grumpy Badger Makes Good in Time for Christmas, December 5, 2009

By 

Jenna Glatzer (NY, United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Grumpy Badger's Christmas (Hardcover)

(Review written for Punnybop)

All Badger wants to do is go to sleep; he doesn't care about Christmas. It's his time to go underground and sleep all winter through. When his animal friends come knocking on his door trying to bring presents and asking to borrow his ladder to decorate a Christmas tree, he angrily sends them away. "Piffle!" he shouts. "I don't like presents and I don't like Christmas!"

But then one of them shows up to ask for his help because Mole is stuck on top of the tree he was trying to decorate. Again, Grumpy Badger wants to be left alone, so he closes the door and goes back to sleep... but he has a terrible dream that Mole is about to fall out of the tree. When he startles himself awake, he realizes what a bad friend he's been, rushes out to save Mole, and apologizes to everyone for being so grumpy.

To make it up to them, he throws a wonderful Christmas party, which he intends to make an annual tradition.

The story's only possible flaw is that badgers don't actually hibernate. They're less active in cold weather, and sometimes stay underground for long stretches, but they don't sleep through the winter as it suggests in this book. If you forgive this bit of artistic license... and the fact that the text can be a little hard to read against the background on some pages... it's a winner all the way. A solid message, an entertaining story, and nicely expressive acrylic paintings.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grumpy, but cute!, July 14, 2010

By 

Jody Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grumpy Badger's Christmas (Hardcover)

Grumpy Badger's Christmas is a cute adaptation to Scrooge. My son loves it, especially when I use fun voices...the illustrations are beautiful as well. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys the holidays and seeing the true message.

4.0 out of 5 stars Grumpy badger makes me smile!, December 27, 2010

By 

A. Williams - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grumpy Badger's Christmas (Hardcover)

The story is fairly predictable and not incredibly original, but it's still sweet and I was smiling at the last page. Plus, the illustrations are just so adorable!! I really think I would have loved the pictures when I was little just as much as I love them now. Definitely a great Christmas book for young animal lovers.