Member Reviews
I love the grumpy badger in this series. This series focused on fall and preparing for winter. Lots of Grumpf’s neighbors need help and grumpy as he is, he’s still willing to help, but will he get his own tasks done in time?
Because of problems with my computer and e-reader my I didn't read the book and my copy has expired.
I received an eARC copy from Diamond Book Distributors and Magnetic Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In autumn, the forest looks rushed: all animals are preparing for winter, storing food, and making sure their home is warm and will stay warm during cold winter days and nights. Mr Grumpf, the badger, cannot finish sweeping the dead leaves off his doorstep; everyone in the woods is coming to disturb him, asking him for help. Tho he is grumpy, he never declines a helping paw to his animal neighbours. To show their gratitude for his kindness and generosity, the animals come to help Mr Grumpf as well, as everybody needs help sometimes, whether they ask for it or not. Such a warm story.
The illustrations are marvellous, adding a small but perfect oomph to the story.
This is a great book and I can definitely identify with Mr. Grumpf with everyone annoying him while he's trying to clean and get ready for winter.
This book fits neatly into the transition between picture book and graphic novel. The story is easy to follow, like a picture book, but relies heavily on the images to convey information. The characters tell us as much through facial expressions and body posture as they do through dialogue. Even the grumpy badger, the titular Mister Grumpf, is a pleasure to follow. This is a book that kids reading independently can enjoy but also a decent one to read together.
'Beneath the Trees: The Autumn of Mister Grumpf' with story and art by Dav is a graphic novel about a grouchy bear trying to get ready to hibernate.
Mister Grumpf just wants to sweep the leaves off of his front steps, but all his animal neighbors need him for various tasks, like getting a kite out of a tree and helping to find food. He grumps and groans, but does help. He finds that helping others has its own reward.
This was a very charming story and reminded me of people I know. I could relate to Mister Grumpf and cheered him on, and I loved the ending. The art is equally charming. This is a good read for all ages.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Diamond Book Distributors, Magnetic Press, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
The first in a series of seasonal children’s books, I found the story charming and the artwork outstanding.
We all have that neighbor…the grumpy one who, as it turns out, in a time of need, would actually give you the shirt off his back.
Mr. Grumpf is just that neighbor. In a forest of needy creatures, he always shows up and helps out. In return, will his neighbors do the same for him?
With autumn toned colors, and beautiful sketches..the artwork keeps you in the Fall theme through the entire book.
Beneath the Trees by Dav was a heartwarming story about a neighbor perceived as grumpy, yet who is in reality a nice and helpful guy. It's a great story to share with your young pre-school through early elementary aged readers, even tho the comic book style might make for a more challenging read aloud.
The illustrations however, are absolutely adorable, with a vintage quality to them that remind me of the books I read when I was a child. I will definitely be on the look out for the other titles in this series!
The story is as delightful as A. A. Milne and the art as charming as vintage Disney. Highly recommended.
Received via NetGalley.
*received for free form netgalley for honest review* such an adorable book! love the artwork and story and i love seasonal books!
I loved this story; I felt immediate empathy with Mr Grumph thanks to the characterisation and to the pictures. Drawing lines are awesome; they make you look in awe to the pages, plot becoming almost secondarily. I have never read anything from this author before but I'm definitely going to read whatever I can put my hands on from now on.
This is Susch a cute little picture book. I loved the vibrant colors which represent the fall colours perfectly.
It's Autumn and Mr. Grumpf wants nothing more than to get his front yard swept clear of leaves but his neighbors keep stopping by and distracting him and needing help with things and then it rains and before he knows it the whole day has gone by. Luckily, those pesky neighbors do Mr. Grumpf a big favor to make up for his kindness and generosity.
The first in a new seasonal series, Beneath the Trees: The Autumn of Mister Grumpf is a beautifully illustrated story about a gruff and rough-looking neighbor with a surprisingly big heart that won't say no to helping out his fellow woodland creatures.
My daughter and I loved the illustrations in this story! The main character really stands out and the woodland creature neighbors are super adorable but we also loved the color scheme and attention to detail in the leaves, trees, and other background elements.
Oh what a delightful book!!
Poor Mister Grumpf just wants to clean up the leaves surrounding his tree before the snow hit. Trouble is, all of his neighbors seem to need to pass by and both interrupt him AND spread his leaves back around again, and then there are the ones who need help or one last worm before hibernation. What happens next is a good lesson for kids [and adults] to both learn and remember - anger never accomplishes anything, and helping others will result in you getting help back when you least expect it.
Beautifully illustrated and worded, this is a must for parents and caregivers of children, especially ones who might struggle with frustration and anger. Very well done.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dav, Michael Kennedy [Translator] and Diamond Book Distributors/Magnetic Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
A first in a children's four-book series, each standalone tale will be based on a different season. In this autumn season, the forest community is in preparation of storing food, hibernating, and doing last minute activities before winter starts. The main character is a grumpy badger named Mr. Grumpf and his task is sweeping the dead leaves in front of his house. But with the forest community disturbing him in completing his task, he finds himself building relationships with his friends and neighbors.
I adore the lush colors and crisp illustrations inspired by classic 2D Disney featured films (THE RESCUERS and ROBIN HOOD). For me, this gives me Winnie the Pooh vibes. It conveys the emotions and the coziness of the autumn season without too much text, and rather, letting the illustrations speak more to the reader. Mr. Grumpf may be grumpy on the outside, but he is caring on the inside to make his community happy. Little did he know, his efforts will be rewarded at the end.
I look forward to the next book in the series! This is recommended for children ages 4-8, teaching them lessons about being a part of a community, being aware of their emotions, and how the power of nature can heal us.
Mister Grumpf, a badger, is featured in this anthropomorphic fall-time graphic novel. It's quite reminiscent of Winnie the Pooh, only if Pooh was a grump who just wanted to get ready to hibernate instead of a bumbling, loveable, kindly bear in search of honey.
Now, that's not to say Grumpf isn't loveable. In fact, he's quite loveable, despite his grumpiness. He wants to get his leaves raked, but whenever a fried comes calling, Grumpf helps in the ways he can. The ending of this graphic novel is incredibly wholesome, and it made me tear up a bit.
The artwork is gorgeous, and everything inside is perfectly suited for the target demographic (4-8 years old or so). I'll be buying a copy for my young children.
A sweetly elegant tale about how a curmudgeonly badger’s heart is melted through the love and attention shown by his neighbors. A lovely “read-to” book as well as for the younger reader.
A graphic novel style picture book where Mr. Grumpf is so bothered by his neighbors, but their friendlyness chips away a little at his gruffness. Stunning illustrations that do remind you of 2D Disney illustrations. And what a fun book for fall about being neighborly.
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Beneath the Trees: The Autumn of Mr Grump, is acute and funillustrated short comic book style book about Mr Grumph. All he wants to do is clear outside of his home from leaves, but he keeps getting interrupted and distracted by his busy neighbours all around him who are rushing about getting ready for hibernating through the winter.
Mr Grump is grumpy and although he's grumpy, he always stops his work to help his neighbours.
Mr Grumph returns home after a rain storm to find all the leaves he had brushed away have been blown back infront of his home. He has a tantrum and his neighbours feel sorry for him. They decide to help him and when he comes home he has a lively surprise.
I really enjoyed this book. The text was very minimal but the illustrations were fantastic. Plus it's about Autumn which is my favourite season!
This was a delightful book! Fans of the Wind in the Willow books will especially enjoy it, and the illustrations are just lovely!