About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is in a prickly, pessimistic mood or having a total no good, very bad day. It provides a safe, humorous space to explore grumpiness without being preachy or demanding an immediate smile. The story follows the world's most dedicated curmudgeon who goes on a vacation to a terrible beach, only to meet a mother and son who are even more miserable and difficult than he is. Through their shared dislike of everything, an unexpected and hilariously dry bond begins to form. It is a fantastic choice for children aged 4 to 8 who are learning to navigate social friction and the realization that their perspective is not the only one. By showing that even the worst person can find a match, the book gently suggests that connection is possible even for the most reluctant souls.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is secular and realistic in its depiction of personality types. While the characters are extremely negative, the tone is slapstick and satirical. There are no heavy traumas, only the 'trauma' of a bad vacation.
