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Jump to navigationJump to searchThe Grumpface by B C R Fegan and Daniela Frongia (view source)
Revision as of 09:50, 19 September 2020
, 09:50, 19 September 2020no edit summary
{{infoboxinfobox1
|title=The Grumpface
|sort=Grumpface
|reviewer=Jill Murphy
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=Sweet and funny picture book with vivid illustrations and clever rhyming text. Emphasises the value of positivity and laughter. B C R Fegan popped into Bookbag Towers to [[The Interview: Bookbag Talks To B C R Fegan|chat to us]].
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|date=May 2017
|isbn=978-0995359215
|websitecover=0995359210|videoaznuk=0995359210|amazonukaznus=<amazonuk>0995359210</amazonuk>
}}
Long ago, in the Forest of Ho, a wizard cursed a miserable old man to become the Grumpface because he would never smile. The Grumpface spends his cursed days capturing hapless travellers and refusing to free them unless they can successfully accomplish one of three tasks he sets them. The tasks are pretty impossible so few captives are ever freed. In the nearby Village of Hay lives Dan. Dan is an inventor with varying degrees of success and he is in love with Bella, a flower seller. Bella sells every kind of flower exceapt except for roses as there none to be found. And so, our hero Dan resolves to go into the Forest of Ho and find roses for Bella - then she will love him for sure. Of course, the hapless Dan is captured by Grumpface. The story follows Dan as he unsuccessfully attempts to complete his three tasks, using his inventions as aids. A bird swallows his special lamp, his special light wand works fine but Dan drops his prize.
It's all so funny that even Grumpface laughs. And so, the curse is broken, the captives are freed and Dan is free to find roses and win Bella.
''The Grumpface'' is a lovely picture book. There's a strong narrative with a beginning, a middle and and end, and it isn't over too soon. The verse scans well, which makes sharing and repeating an easy joy. It's lively and vivid and energetic with scary villain and touches of slapstick ensuring that nobody has any sleepless nights after reading. And its underlying message is a nice one - positivity trumps negativity every time and many of our troubles can be eased with laughter. I would have liked the flower seller, Bella, Dan's love interest, to have had a more active role. It's 2017 and girls aren't objects that boys ''win'' through feats of valour. But that's my only criticism of a charming picture book that parents and children will enjoy reading together.
For more about positivity, try [[Pom and Pim by Lena Landstrom and Olaf Landstrom]].
You can read more about B C R Fegan [[:Category:B C R Fegan|here]].
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{{toptentext|list=Top Ten Self-Published Books 2017}}
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[[Category:B C R Fegan]]
[[Category:Daniela Frongia]]
