A quiet, compassionate, and emotionally attuned story about change and friendship.
Chapman explores loss, routine, and emotional recovery in this quietly observant picture book set in Flamingo Park, Miami Beach. Grumpy the iguana is happiest when his days unfold just as expected. He loves his routine and the comfort it brings. When a terrible loss takes away his home, Grumpy feels unmoored and alone. Meeting a kind green parrot helps him discover that friendship can offer a way forward.
The story moves at an unhurried, steady pace, letting routine provide both structure and emotional security. Early scenes repeat the same comforting actions—breakfast, water, sun, sleep—so readers feel the safety Grumpy depends on. When that rhythm breaks, the book doesn’t hurry to fix it. Rather than explaining Grumpy’s feelings, Chapman shows them—through withdrawal, irritability, and a reluctance to accept comfort. The prose remains spare and controlled. When Grumpy declares, “There is nothing glorious about today,” his line conveys grief. The green parrot doesn’t bring instant cheer, but quiet understanding. Friendship grows through listening and shared time, and the gentle “Tell me more” becomes the moment where healing begins.
The story ultimately suggests that rebuilding does not mean restoring what was lost, but learning how to live differently, together. Natalia Loseva’s lovely illustrations play a crucial role in carrying the emotional arc of the story. Her art style is expressive, colorful, and gently stylized, well-suited for a picture book audience while still offering emotional nuance.
A gentle, emotionally perceptive picture book for young readers who value routine, and for libraries building collections around change, loss, and resilience.
Pub date February 4, 2020
Canoe Tree Press
ASIN B084J7LDZB
Price $21.99 (USD) Hardcover, $12.99 Paperback, $3.99 Kindle edition
