Messer, Claire. Grumpy Pants. illus. by Claire Messer. 32p. Albert Whitman. May 2016. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780807530757. 

PreS-Gr 1 –Penguin is in a snit of unspecified origins. Readers follow him as he tries to shed his ill humor along with his clothing. Then he counts to three and dives into his tub. With a nice, cold bath; his favorite pajamas; and his treasured book and teddy, Penguin redirects his attention to the little things that make him feel better. The illustrations are done in linoleum prints, pressed with muted hues of blues, with generous occasions of color to create a simple and effective narrative. Penguin’s emotions are expressed through subtle facial expressions and gestures, creating a relatable experience. “As Penguin fell asleep, he knew that tomorrow would be a good day because all the grumpiness has been washed away.” The text is large and spare for comfortable beginning readers. VERDICT This charming account of handling emotions is a great addition to other children’s books about grumpy behavior.–Briana Moore, School Library Journal