POUT PARTY

Can’t a puppy just have a grumpy day?

“One sunny, shining, beautiful day, / Rue woke up feeling grouchy and gray.” Black-furred pug puppy Rue thinks everything is wrong, from her bunchy socks to her crunchy breakfast. Her mom tries a kiss, and her teacher asks her to smile, but nothing helps. At recess, her friends try to get her to play, but Rue just wants to pout. Then Rue gets an idea. She makes a sign inviting everyone to her pout party, where no one can be happy or excited. No one wants to join…except her white-furred kitten friend Joy, who fakes a grumpy face. Rue tries to out-grumpy Joy, but Joy “grumble[s] and groan[s], And stomp[s] with her feet.” Others think it looks like fun and join in. Rue coaches the whole class, and they all make horrible faces…which makes Rue giggle. And everyone laughs. Then Joy assures Rue that next time she feels grumpy, Joy will still be there for her. The rhyme might clunk once or twice and go for the obvious throughout, but children will easily see themselves in the animals of various species that populate McColl’s simple tale. The big-eyed, clothed animals in her cartoon illustrations are expressive and colorful. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A passable presentation on dealing with negative emotions.