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‘Grumpy Gloria’ Book Review

“Gloria was glum and grumpy. Out of sorts. Sad and lumpy,” begins Grumpy Gloria by Anna Dewdney. When her little girl receives a new doll for a birthday present, Gloria begins to feel left out. Brother and sister try to cheer Gloria up with toys, a jog, and even a bath. But Gloria is staying grumpy. Will grumpy Gloria ever feel better?

I originally picked up Grumpy Gloria from my library because grumpy is the word that best describes my dad. My daughter loves talking about her “grumpy papa.” And I definitely picked a winner with Grumpy Gloria. I have read this book aloud to my daughter over and over again for weeks now. I even purchased a copy of her own so that my daughter will never be without her Grumpy Gloria, which fondly reminds her of her grumpy papa.

Recommended for readers ages 2 and older, Grumpy Gloria is an engaging read for toddlers and preschoolers. Told in a rhymed verse, the story follows the misadventures of a grumpy dog as her humans attempt to cheer her up. The rhyme is fun to read out loud and definitely keeps even the youngest reader interested in the book. I also enjoy all the alliteration throughout the story. Both rhyming and alliteration are perfect for younger readers who are still developing language.

The illustrations in Grumpy Gloria are also extremely fun and really bring the story to life. My toddler daughter loves flipping through the pages and pointing out all the grumpy Glorias. The pictures are bright and colorful yet not too busy. I especially like all the grumpy faces that Gloria makes.

Cover of Grumpy Gloria Inside Pages of Grumpy Gloria

Final Verdict: Grumpy Gloria by Anna Dewdney is an extremely engaging book that I cannot recommend more highly. My favorite part of the book is the rhyming verse that is also full of alliteration. Even the youngest readers will remain engaged because of the rhymes. The pictures are also extremely fun, bringing the story to life with bright colors. My daughter and I give Grumpy Gloria four enthusiastic thumbs up.

Image Credits

Cover of Grumpy Gloria © 2014 Heather Johnson
Inside Pages of Grumpy Gloria © 2014 Heather Johnson

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