Grumpy Cat, by Britta Teckentrup.
No, not that Grumpy Cat.
But just as adorable.
:)
Admittedly, this book may be my only exception to my “If it’s a picture book, then I have to like the pictures too!” rule — the art is certainly not bad, and I can see how it would appeal to children, but it’s simply not to my own personal tastes.
However, grumpy cats are my Kryptonite, be they in books or real life or on the Internet, and so it’s physically impossible for me not to love this anyway.
And it actually is adorable.
It’s a very moralistic story, sure — but it’s a moral couched in what is essentially an Internet meme. Morals, memes, and grumpy cats.
This, ladies and gentlemen, is your formula for success.
The story follows Grumpy Cat, who lived all alone. He ate alone. He slept alone. He spent every day alone. While looking very grumpy.
At night, other cats in the neighborhood would meet and play together. Cat wanted to join in, but he just didn’t know how.
The other cats didn’t ask him because they thought he was a grumpy cat. But really — he was a lonely cat.
And then enter an adorable little kitten that does want to be friends with Grumpy Cat, and will not take no for an answer, and watch adorable antics unfold. :)
(Because this is how you tame grumpy cats, you know. You love on them and hug them until they give up. And yes, one of my own cats now was originally a half-feral cat that I tamed with exactly that process, and now she is incredibly cuddly and loves to snuggle. Because I kept hugging her no matter how angry she got about it. No, seriously.)
Grumpy aside, you really can’t help smiling at this one. You just can’t.
bookslut & storyteller 