Grumpy Monkey Freshly Squeezed: A Graphic Novel Chapter Book
#1 of 2 in Grumpy Monkey (Graphic Novels) Series
What’s inside...
This early graphic novel chapter book based on the #1 New York Times bestselling Grumpy Monkey is perfect for children who love the original picture books and are ready for the next step. Features hilarious dialogue, multiple panels per page, and a longer storyline to keep kids laughing all the way to the end! It's Wednesday! Which means it's time for Jim Panzee's weekly Wednesday walk. He wakes up, stretches a little, grabs his stress orange, and sets off. Jim's favorite part of the walk is the blissful silence. When he's alone, he can hear all the jungle sounds. Until . . . his best buddy, Norman, decides to join him. And before he knows it, Jim is followed by every animal in the jungle. It's all just too much. Now Jim and his not-so-helpful friends are on a quest across the jungle to find another stress orange before it is too late! A warm and funny chapter book graphic novel about how to handle all of life's ups and downs from the creators of the #1 New York Times bestselling Grumpy Monkey.
Character compass
Jim Panzee
Norman
Cousin Lucy
Uncle Tim
Aunt Pam
Discussion points
What do you think made the monkey feel grumpy in the story?
How did the other characters react to the monkey's mood?
Can you think of a time when you felt like the grumpy monkey? What helped you feel better?
Why do you think it's important to talk about our feelings, like the monkey did?
What can we learn from the monkey’s experience about handling difficult emotions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings by relating to the monkey's experiences. Validate their emotions and share your own stories of dealing with grumpiness or other strong emotions. Highlight the importance of empathy by discussing how understanding others' feelings can help resolve conflicts. Use the book as an opportunity to teach emotional intelligence and coping mechanisms for bad days.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Managing emotions
Explanation: The protagonist, Jim Panzee, navigates through various emotional challenges, showcasing the complexity of feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify their emotions and express them in a healthy way, important for their social and emotional development.
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Jim's interactions with other characters highlight how friends can offer support and understanding during tough times.
Real-World Application: This teaches children about empathy and the importance of supporting friends, fostering strong, supportive relationships.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Jim encounters various problems and collaborates with friends to find solutions, demonstrating teamwork and critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cooperate with others to solve problems, an essential skill for academic and life success.
Example Lesson: Accepting change
Explanation: Throughout the story, Jim learns to adapt to changes which initially upset him, showing resilience and adaptability.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that change is a part of life and learning to adapt is crucial for personal growth.