Grumpycorn
Grumpycorn Series
What’s inside...
Oh, what a Grumpycorn! is a delightful unicorn picture book by bestselling author Sarah McIntyre. The story follows Unicorn as he struggles to write the most fabulous story in the world. Despite having a fancy notebook and a special fluffy pen, Unicorn can't seem to find any ideas. When his friends try to help, Unicorn becomes frustrated and turns into a Grumpycorn. Throughout the book, themes of teamwork, friendship, and the joys of storytelling are explored in a humorous and engaging way.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Unicorn was feeling grumpy about his story?
How did Unicorn's friends help him with his feelings?
What would you do if you were one of Unicorn's friends in the story?
How do you think working together made their story better?
What did you learn from the way Unicorn and his friends solved their problem?
Tip: Role play these questions
Initiate the discussion by sharing a personal story about a time when you felt frustrated or grumpy, and how you dealt with it.
Encourage your child to express their emotions by asking them how they feel when they face similar situations as Unicorn.
Praise their insights and draw parallels between the story and real life to enhance understanding of the themes.
Use expressive and animated tones while discussing the story to make the conversation lively and engaging.
Emphasize the importance of friendship and teamwork, and ask your child to think of times when working with others helped them achieve more.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of collaboration
Explanation: In 'Grumpycorn,' Unicorn learns that working together with friends can lead to better outcomes than trying to do everything alone.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value teamwork and seek input from peers in school projects or during playtime.
Example Lesson: Embracing creativity
Explanation: The story shows Unicorn struggling with writer's block, emphasizing the process of creativity and the joy of finally finding inspiration.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to explore their own creative pursuits, understanding that it's okay to experience challenges along the way.
Example Lesson: Handling frustration
Explanation: Unicorn becomes grumpy when things don't go as planned, but learns to manage his emotions with the help of his friends.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children develop emotional regulation skills and learn to ask for help when they're feeling overwhelmed.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: As the story progresses, Unicorn realizes that the support and companionship of friends are more important than achieving personal acclaim.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and nurture their friendships, understanding the importance of giving and receiving support.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Unicorn makes several mistakes but learns from them, which helps him grow and succeed in the end.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of learning from their mistakes and viewing them as opportunities for growth rather than failures.