Happy Grumpy Loved

by Ruth Austin

This adorable book of feelings encourages babies and toddlers to explore the world around them with confidence and joy. The playful illustrations and key words introduce you and your little one to a shared language of empathy, connection, and emotional intelligence. A fun and gentle way to support early communication skills; ideal for sharing at playtime or story time.

• Features words like "surprised," "brave," and "loved" to give your child the language to explore emotions.
• A board book to encourage babies to explore and connect with the world around them with playfulness, confidence, and emotional intelligence
• Perfect for ages 0—2
•Gifting baby shower, new baby, early birthdays

Genres: Picture Books

24 pages, Board Book

Published June 1, 2018

Reviews

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our books today are a charming trio of board books by Ruth Austin and Kanae Sato: Hide Seek Stinky Sweet, Happy Grumpy Loved, and Wiggle Jump Tickle, books featuring lessons in opposites, feelings, and actions respectively.

Each book introduces us to it’s own cast of characters: a girl and her black cat, a brother and sister and their alligator friend, and a little boy and his oversized baby bird. Using simple, single-word concepts and matching illustrations, readers are shown the difference between happy and sad, asleep and awake, and a leap and a tickle, each concept woven into a simple story told through the art. Bright, vivid colors attract the eye while simple, mostly black-and-white characters allow the actions and emotions to be easily read.

Delightful! We had such a blast with these. Between the wonderful illustrations of basic concepts and the absolutely adorable characters, all three were quick, informative, and wildly fun to read together. JJ was positively enthralled by each book, all of which are built with sturdy hardcovers and water-resistant textured pages. These are a welcome addition to our board book collection, and would be a perfect gift for any budding bookworm. A great little trio to help build communication, and they’re Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: Copies of these books were provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack borrowed this book from the Ashland Public Library.

It’s a fine book that illustrates emotions with two little kids and an alligator looking creature. I don’t think the emotions come across as clearly as similar books, like Lovevery’s How I Feel. Jack wasn’t very into it. Maybe better for little babies who are still needing black, white, and red to see.

[Chance Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and well-made book with most pages having one word: a feeling word. Surprised! has an exclamation point! Illustrations are clean and simple and the book's thick pages are nicely textured.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little story told completely with feeling words with simple text and simple images, with lots of surprises in the story.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the pictures were a little confusing, but it was a pretty good way to talk about feelings with the kiddos.

[Michelle Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lots of emotions, but the colors used for the illustrations really bothered my eyes.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book for wee ones with simple illustrations and feeling adjectives. My daughter's favorite color is orange so she liked the striking color of the pages more than anything else.