A charming, colourful romp full of surprises!
Chapman spins an amusing, heartwarming tale about a little iguana whose ordinary day goes hilariously wrong.
Grumpy loves his life in Miami Beach’s Flamingo Park, where he shares a home with his best friend, Green Parrot. But one chilly morning, his search for a warm place to nap takes an unexpected turn. After crawling beneath a family’s picnic blanket, Grumpy falls asleep and is unknowingly carried away in their car. When he finds himself in Naples, surrounded by unfamiliar sights and strangers, he has no idea how to get home.
Chapman has fun with Grumpy’s predicament, particularly his bewildered encounter with a ladybug who seems amused that he doesn’t know where he is. The opening pages offer interesting facts about iguanas, explaining why cold weather can leave them temporarily unable to move. Beneath the misadventure is an affectionate portrait of friendship, with Green Parrot’s loyalty giving the story its emotional pull. Natalia Loseva’s colourful illustrations add much of the humour, especially Grumpy’s wide-eyed expressions and the comical sight of iguanas frozen stiff in the cold. Young children will enjoy Grumpy’s antics and find plenty to discuss about friendship, unfamiliar places, and unexpected changes.
***
Illustrator: Natalia Loseva
Genre: Children’s picture book / Animal adventure
Published: February 24, 2023
Reading age 4-8 years
Series: A Grumpy the Iguana and Green Parrot Adventure
Price $12.99 Hardcover, $9.99 Paperback, $3.99 Kindle edition
