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The Grump Hump: A Mood, A Monster & Making Things Right
📘 The Grump Hump: A Rhyming Picture Book About Emotions, Apologies, and Sibling Love
Ages 4–9 | Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for Kids
👿 What happens when a grumpy mood turns into a monster?
The Grump Hump is a powerful and heartwarming rhyming children’s book that helps kids ages 4–9 understand and manage big emotions like anger, guilt, and remorse. Perfect for parents, teachers, and therapists, this engaging picture book about emotions supports social-emotional learning (SEL) through a fun, monster-themed story.
💚 The Story:
A young boy has been feeling grumpy for days—and soon a mood monster attaches to him! But when his kind-hearted sister writes him a touching letter, he begins to feel something new: regret. Will he apologize and make things right? Get ready for a magical surprise if he does!
✅ Why Families & Educators Love It:
🧠 Builds Emotional Intelligence
💌 Teaches the Power of Apology
❤️ Strengthens Sibling Relationships
🎵 Rhyming & Read-Aloud Friendly
🎁 Great Gift for Kids Ages 4–9
🌟 Perfect For:
• Parents seeking children’s books about emotions and apologies
• SEL-focused teachers, counselors, and caregivers
• Kids who love monster-themed picture books
• Fans of Grumpy Monkey, The Color Monster, When Sophie Gets Angry
• Storytime, classrooms, therapy, or bedtime
✨ Core Themes:
• Emotional Regulation
• Apologies & Forgiveness
• Sibling Love & Empathy
• Rhyming Storytelling
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
👉 Help your child navigate emotions and build empathy.
Begin your journey with The Grump Hump — a must-have for every growing bookshelf!
Ages 4–9 | Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for Kids
👿 What happens when a grumpy mood turns into a monster?
The Grump Hump is a powerful and heartwarming rhyming children’s book that helps kids ages 4–9 understand and manage big emotions like anger, guilt, and remorse. Perfect for parents, teachers, and therapists, this engaging picture book about emotions supports social-emotional learning (SEL) through a fun, monster-themed story.
💚 The Story:
A young boy has been feeling grumpy for days—and soon a mood monster attaches to him! But when his kind-hearted sister writes him a touching letter, he begins to feel something new: regret. Will he apologize and make things right? Get ready for a magical surprise if he does!
✅ Why Families & Educators Love It:
🧠 Builds Emotional Intelligence
💌 Teaches the Power of Apology
❤️ Strengthens Sibling Relationships
🎵 Rhyming & Read-Aloud Friendly
🎁 Great Gift for Kids Ages 4–9
🌟 Perfect For:
• Parents seeking children’s books about emotions and apologies
• SEL-focused teachers, counselors, and caregivers
• Kids who love monster-themed picture books
• Fans of Grumpy Monkey, The Color Monster, When Sophie Gets Angry
• Storytime, classrooms, therapy, or bedtime
✨ Core Themes:
• Emotional Regulation
• Apologies & Forgiveness
• Sibling Love & Empathy
• Rhyming Storytelling
• Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
👉 Help your child navigate emotions and build empathy.
Begin your journey with The Grump Hump — a must-have for every growing bookshelf!
32 pages, Paperback
Published August 11, 2025
About the author
Kren York
6 booksHi! I'm Kren and I write fiction for children and adults. I love thought-provoking, whimsical reads. I hope you enjoy the worlds you visit through these stories!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 14, 2025
Important theme!
This children's story tackles an incredibly important theme that every parent and child can relate to - managing big emotions and the power of apologies. I really loved the illustrations, which perfectly capture both the darkness of grumpy moods. The rhyming storytelling is engaging and makes this a pleasure to read aloud.
The first half of this book is fantastic, but the book feels like two separate stories merged into one. The second half becomes noticeably text-heavy with much longer passages on each page, which disrupts the rhythm established earlier.
The root cause of the boy's grumpiness never gets the focus it deserves - we're left wondering what initially triggered this week-long mood. The transformation from deeply grumpy to cheerful simply because of his sister's letter seems unrealistic and misses an opportunity to show children the gradual process of emotional regulation.
Despite these issues, the book is worth reading, and with some changes and more consistent pacing, this could be an exceptional addition to any library.
This children's story tackles an incredibly important theme that every parent and child can relate to - managing big emotions and the power of apologies. I really loved the illustrations, which perfectly capture both the darkness of grumpy moods. The rhyming storytelling is engaging and makes this a pleasure to read aloud.
The first half of this book is fantastic, but the book feels like two separate stories merged into one. The second half becomes noticeably text-heavy with much longer passages on each page, which disrupts the rhythm established earlier.
The root cause of the boy's grumpiness never gets the focus it deserves - we're left wondering what initially triggered this week-long mood. The transformation from deeply grumpy to cheerful simply because of his sister's letter seems unrealistic and misses an opportunity to show children the gradual process of emotional regulation.
Despite these issues, the book is worth reading, and with some changes and more consistent pacing, this could be an exceptional addition to any library.
August 17, 2025
Beautiful!
This is an incredibly well-written story about sadness. I like how the book lets young readers know that it’s okay to feel down sometimes. I also like how understanding the main character’s sister was and how she supported him without judgment. So there are many different lessons here - for those who are feeling sad, allow yourself to feel those feelings, but also keep in mind how your actions are affecting others, and for those who are being affected by someone in a bad mood, be empathetic, give the person space, but also let that person know that you are there for them when they need you. These are powerful lessons for young children who are learning about friendship and developing social skills. My son has autism, so it was great to share this book with him, and he really enjoyed it. It’s a lovely rhyming story with beautiful illustrations. I highly recommend it.
This is an incredibly well-written story about sadness. I like how the book lets young readers know that it’s okay to feel down sometimes. I also like how understanding the main character’s sister was and how she supported him without judgment. So there are many different lessons here - for those who are feeling sad, allow yourself to feel those feelings, but also keep in mind how your actions are affecting others, and for those who are being affected by someone in a bad mood, be empathetic, give the person space, but also let that person know that you are there for them when they need you. These are powerful lessons for young children who are learning about friendship and developing social skills. My son has autism, so it was great to share this book with him, and he really enjoyed it. It’s a lovely rhyming story with beautiful illustrations. I highly recommend it.
September 6, 2025
The hand-made art is precious and the story is meaningful
I got this book for my nephew but I think I needed it just as much. The Grump Hump is sweet, funny and surprisingly deep for a kids’ book. It doesn’t just talk about being grumpy, it shows how moods can build up and how hard it can be to say sorry when you’ve been stuck in one. The monster idea is clever and relatable and the sister’s letter was genius. It’s a great way to open up conversations with kids about emotions, especially when they’re not sure how to name what they’re feeling. The rhymes are smooth, the illustrations are adorable (not AI - yay!), and it’s short enough to read at bedtime without dragging on. This one’s a keeper and makes a great gift!
I got this book for my nephew but I think I needed it just as much. The Grump Hump is sweet, funny and surprisingly deep for a kids’ book. It doesn’t just talk about being grumpy, it shows how moods can build up and how hard it can be to say sorry when you’ve been stuck in one. The monster idea is clever and relatable and the sister’s letter was genius. It’s a great way to open up conversations with kids about emotions, especially when they’re not sure how to name what they’re feeling. The rhymes are smooth, the illustrations are adorable (not AI - yay!), and it’s short enough to read at bedtime without dragging on. This one’s a keeper and makes a great gift!
October 8, 2025
Satisfying and effective
Books like these require impactful illustrations along with the text. The book has human illustrators on the team. They have depicted the grump mood impeccably from a child's perspective. The child is likely to say - that's exactly how I feel. At the same time, the illustrations are aesthetically pleasing and minimalist. The story is fleshed out for satisfaction, but short enough to fit a parent's quality time limit or a therapist consultation. The parent will benefit, too. Because the grump monster strikes us all at times.
Books like these require impactful illustrations along with the text. The book has human illustrators on the team. They have depicted the grump mood impeccably from a child's perspective. The child is likely to say - that's exactly how I feel. At the same time, the illustrations are aesthetically pleasing and minimalist. The story is fleshed out for satisfaction, but short enough to fit a parent's quality time limit or a therapist consultation. The parent will benefit, too. Because the grump monster strikes us all at times.
August 15, 2025
A Letter Can Change a Heart
Stuck in a rut, our main character can't seem to shake his mood. With a lift from sis, he sees his outlook improve. This tale tells more about noticing when people are down and providing a bit of encouragement, so I think the sister is the hero here. Acknowledgement from mom helps, but it would be nice to see how one can come to realize and tackle the challenge on their own as well. A nice lesson and one that everyone can relate to.
Stuck in a rut, our main character can't seem to shake his mood. With a lift from sis, he sees his outlook improve. This tale tells more about noticing when people are down and providing a bit of encouragement, so I think the sister is the hero here. Acknowledgement from mom helps, but it would be nice to see how one can come to realize and tackle the challenge on their own as well. A nice lesson and one that everyone can relate to.
September 4, 2025
A solid pick for bedtime or classroom reading.
I recently read *The Grump Hump* with my kid, and it’s a sweet way to talk about feelings. The rhyming story is easy to read aloud, and the bright illustrations make the mood monster fun and relatable. It sparks good chats about apologies and empathy, especially for siblings. I wish the story lingered a bit more on the grumpiness before the quick fix, but it’s a solid pick for bedtime or classroom reading.
I recently read *The Grump Hump* with my kid, and it’s a sweet way to talk about feelings. The rhyming story is easy to read aloud, and the bright illustrations make the mood monster fun and relatable. It sparks good chats about apologies and empathy, especially for siblings. I wish the story lingered a bit more on the grumpiness before the quick fix, but it’s a solid pick for bedtime or classroom reading.
June 6, 2026
This is a very well written rhyming story with a great message. A young boy finds himself feeling down as he allows his focus to fall on every bothersome thing that he experiences. When his negative thoughts continue to snowball they eventually turn into an actual grump monster. The story ends with a heartfelt and enlightening lesson about appreciation and gratitude, that every child can benefit from hearing. Highly recommend!
August 16, 2025
beautiful story with nice illustrations
This book is really good for kids to learn to deal with emotions. Not all the time should be mad or sad, young children will always have things happening that can be good or bad but the fact that you learn to let go and keep going will make the life easier. Love the book and very nice way to teach kids about this subject.
This book is really good for kids to learn to deal with emotions. Not all the time should be mad or sad, young children will always have things happening that can be good or bad but the fact that you learn to let go and keep going will make the life easier. Love the book and very nice way to teach kids about this subject.
September 5, 2025
Such a great storyline
This book is great for kids. The storyline is so good. It is about moodiness, treating others wrong without reason, and how to make things better. The rhyming in the story makes it so much more engaging for kids. It is great for any kid struggling daily with emotions.
This book is great for kids. The storyline is so good. It is about moodiness, treating others wrong without reason, and how to make things better. The rhyming in the story makes it so much more engaging for kids. It is great for any kid struggling daily with emotions.
November 14, 2025
This book could be used to build a child's emotional intelligence. It may help a child understand that their mood affects others and that they do have the ability to direct their thoughts and actions no matter how they are feeling. Perhaps the resolution is a bit too easy, but it is a short rhyming kids' book. I think it is just long enough to hold a child's attention and transmit the message.
October 9, 2025
Great for kids and their parents
I really like this short book for kids and their parents. Nice concise writing and lovely illustrations. As someone who was often mooody and now with a moody child, I can really relate to this book and its strategy for overcoming the dark moods.
I really like this short book for kids and their parents. Nice concise writing and lovely illustrations. As someone who was often mooody and now with a moody child, I can really relate to this book and its strategy for overcoming the dark moods.
February 3, 2026
lovely children’s book
This was a lovely children’s book that I think is very relatable to kids. Everyone knows what it’s like to have a bad day and just be grumpy. The illustrations were wonderful as well. I loved the imagery of grumpiness as a little purple monster.
This was a lovely children’s book that I think is very relatable to kids. Everyone knows what it’s like to have a bad day and just be grumpy. The illustrations were wonderful as well. I loved the imagery of grumpiness as a little purple monster.
August 11, 2025
great book!
This is the perfect bed time story for my kiddos! Very sweet story to help them understand their “big feelings”!
This is the perfect bed time story for my kiddos! Very sweet story to help them understand their “big feelings”!
August 14, 2025
Fun Book
What a fun little book. I loved the artwork. I read this to my youngest daughter and she loved it and asked me to read it to her two more times before bed.
What a fun little book. I loved the artwork. I read this to my youngest daughter and she loved it and asked me to read it to her two more times before bed.
October 28, 2025
great book about a kid who is in a "grump hump" and realizes his mistakes and apologizes for them.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews