Grumpy Goes Home For The Holidays

Grumpy Goes Home For The Holidays A Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot Adventure by Susan Chapman Children - Animals 81 Pages Reviewed on 10/18/2020

Book Review Rated ★★★★★

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite 

Grumpy Goes Home For The Holidays: A Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot Adventure is an animal adventure picture book written by Susan Chapman and illustrated by Natalia Loseva. It was nearly Christmas, and Grumpy the Iguana decided it was way past time for him to go home and visit his family in the Florida Keys. Green Parrot used one of his valuable feathers to pay for Grumpy’s bus ride from Miami Beach to the Keys and Grumpy’s friend, Mr. Squirrel, came by with Christmas presents for the iguana to give to his parents and sister. Everything was ready, and Grumpy excitedly boarded the bus on his way to spend the holidays with his family. 

Susan Chapman’s story is a fun and informative read that introduces children to the diverse marine life to be found in the Florida Keys while it prepares them for the holiday festivities to come. Chapman’s story also illustrates how Grumpy’s return home is the Christmas present his family truly values. While his dad does love the new woven hat Mr. Squirrel made for him, Grumpy was in tears when he realized that he had lost the sea glass Mr. Squirrel had given him for his mother and sister to share. Natalia Loseva’s bright and colorful illustrations work perfectly with the story. I especially enjoyed seeing her renditions of Grumpy’s iguana family and the marine creatures who share their environs.

Grumpy Goes Home For The Holidays: A Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot Adventure

This is a lovely book telling the story of Grumpy going home to see his family for the holidays. The message behind this book is that family matters rather than material things.
Myself and my 4 year old son really enjoyed this book.

— Victoria J. rated it ★★★★

This is a lovely little book featuring an Iguana called Grumpy and his friends. Grumpy goes home to his family for the holidays and takes them some little gifts his friend brought him. My daughter and I loved this book. We enjoyed the characters and the beautiful, bright and colourful graphics. I loved the way Grumpy interacted with his family and it was so heartwarming.

— Catherine C. rated it ★★★★★

A cute children's story about Grumpy the Iguana who wants to go home to his family for the holidays (Christmas). It felt so relevant and timed perfect for the 2020 lockdown we are all suffering.

Although he takes a beautiful sea glass gift from Miami Beach it gets lost along the way and he is sad. However, his family reassure him that HE HIMSELF is the best Christmas gift ever, which is a lovely sentiment to share with friends and family. We don't need gifts we just need each other. Luckily, on his return to the bus station the piece of sea glass is found and the story ends perfectly.

Beautiful illustrations to go with the story and a lovely book for adults and children alike to read.

— Linda T. rated it ★★★★★

This is my favourite out of the ones I have read from the series so far!
The story is easy to understand for younger children , and it easily conveys the real meaning of Christmas .
The illustrations are lovely as usual and are very eye-catching.

— Kirstie J. rated it ★★★★

Grumpy the Iguana does it again. I love how all of the dialogue is in red and special words are in green (the rest is in blue). This is a cute little book about seeing family you haven't seen in a while, and finding things that you've lost. It is also a book about not needing presents, but just being there that is the gift.

Additional Questions:

Is your library likely to purchase this title? Yes
Will you recommend this title through Readers’ Advisory, book clubs, events, etc? Yes
Do you nominate this title for the LibraryReads List? Yes

— Kaitlyn W. (Librarian) rated it ★★★★

This is the 4th book in the Grumpy the Iguana series. However, it can be read as a stand alone story. The basic premise is that Grumpy has missed being with his family so he and his friends make a concerted effort to help him get home to be with his loved ones for the holidays. After losing one of the presents he brought, Grumpy learns that HE is the gift that they wanted for the holidays! This is a wonderful message especially during this difficult time when so many people are unable to be with loved ones.

The story highlights true friendship, and family. Illustrations are a colorful and creative addition to the story.

— Carol S. rated it ★★★★★