Product Description
The hilarious #1 New York Times bestselling picture book about dealing with unexplained feelings...and the danger in suppressing them.
Jim the chimpanzee is in a terrible mood for no good reason. His friends can't understand it--how can he be in a bad mood when it's SUCH a beautiful day? They encourage him not to hunch, to smile, and to do things that make THEM happy. But Jim can't take all the advice...and has a BIT of a meltdown. Could it be that he just needs a day to feel grumpy?
Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson. This picture book is an excellent case study in the dangers of putting on a happy face and demonstrates to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings (though they should be careful of hurting others in the process!).
Need more Jim Panzee in your life? Don't miss the next book,
Grumpy Monkey: Party Time!
Review
"Max Lang’s
bright watercolors of animals doing their thing are winning accompaniments to the narrative’s welcome message that
it’s OK to be down sometimes." —
School Library Journal
"Suzanne Lang's
encouragement to sit with your emotions (thus allowing them to pass) is nearly Buddhist in its take, and it will be great bibliotherapy for the crabby, cranky, and cross. Oscar-nominated animator Max Lang's cartoony illustrations lighten the mood without making light of Jim's mood; Jim has comically long arms, and his facial expressions are
quite funny." —
Kirkus Reviews
"
Crisp illustrations featuring a broad cast of animated, boldly colored animals against white backgrounds (except a bright red page when Jim really loses it) will draw readers into Jim’s situation until the
reassuring outcome. Although their helpfulness is part of the problem, the animals are
enthusiastic, kind-hearted souls trying to be good friends."
—Booklist
"A monkey learns to ride out a wave of emotion in this
reassuring picture book about feelings." —
Publishers Weekly
About the Author
Suzanne Lang is the author of the
New York Times bestselling
Grumpy Monkey, as well as several other titles. When Suzanne is not working on books, she writes and produces children's television.
MAX LANG is an animation director, storyboard artist, character designer, and illustrator. He codirected the adaptation of
The Gruffalo, which was nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA, as well as the adaptation of the picture book
Room on the Broom, which has won numerous awards including the Cristal for Best TV Production at this year's Annecy Animation Festival.
As a school librarian, health and wellness teacher, voracious reader, and grandmother, I often think about reviewing a book, but there are so many other things to do. I HAD to write about this one. The message is powerful and communicated in a humorous, undidactic manner, in large part thanks to the deeply appealing, funny and poignant illustrations. It would be hard to find someone who couldn't relate to Jim Panzee. I LOVE this book.
