Awards

The Pennsylvania Center for the Book celebrates outstanding books, authors, and literary achievement through four signature awards: The Baker’s Dozen: Thirteen Best Books for Family Literacy, The Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award, The Lynd Ward Graphic Novel Prize, and Pennsylvania Great Reads from Great Places. Together, these programs recognize excellence in family literacy, children’s poetry, graphic novels, and books that reflect Pennsylvania’s rich literary heritage. By honoring exceptional literary works and connecting readers with engaging and meaningful stories, the Pennsylvania Center for the Book promotes lifelong reading, literacy, and a love of literature across the Commonwealth and beyond.

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Grumpy Bird

By Jeremy Tankard
Published by Scholastic Press, 2007
Young Readers

“When Bird woke up, he was grumpy.” This cranky start to Bird’s day only gets worse as each of his animal friends insist on accompanying him on his morning walk (he is too grumpy to fly). With the help of his supportive pals, Bird’s grumpiness quickly takes flight. Tankard’s illustrations and friendly story present a cheery cure for bad mood birds.

Grumpy Bird

Pennsylvania Center for the Book Awards

Baker's Dozen 2008 Winner

Book Activities & Discussion Ideas

Tips for Using with Children

Who does Grumpy Bird meet in the story? Who is the first? Who is second? Who is the third and so on? Use stick puppets of Grumpy Bird and each animal that he meets to talk about the sequence of the story and what happens at the beginning, the middle, and the end.

Tips for Using with Families

Use Grumpy Bird to talk with your child about feelings. Why was Bird grumpy? Does everyone feel grumpy sometimes? Why? What helps your child cure a grumpy mood? Ask the child to act out different feelings—grumpy, happy, sad, etc. How does your face look when you are grumpy? How does your voice sound when you are grumpy? How does your body move when you are grumpy?