Little kids with big feelings will see themselves in Grumblesome by Joanne Foster and Brandon Dorman. Nat is just like many children who would rather skip their bedtime routines and stay up playing with their favourite toys. But after the all-too-familiar bedtime meltdown, his frustration with his parents gives him furrowed brows and restless sleep. But ignoring those feelings won’t make them disappear. To move forward, Nat must first look inward. Grumblesome understands that the hardest part of a tantrum is often what comes after. It goes beyond a story about tricky toddler tantrums: it explores the difficult emotions that linger after the outburst itself. Packed with heartfelt lessons about reflection, self-regulation, and the courage it takes to make things right after losing control, Foster gently reframes meltdowns not as failures, but as opportunities for growth. In doing so, the story transforms everyday frustrations into meaningful learning moments for young readers. Foster’s rhythmic and expressive storytelling keeps little fingers turning the pages, eager to see where the rhymes lead Nat next. Dorman’s illustrations are equally memorable, bringing Nat’s inner “grumblies” vividly to life in a way children will instantly recognize. Under his pen, even Nat’s furrowed eyebrows seem to develop personalities of their own, transforming into an unexpectedly lovable side character. Dorman gives childhood frustration a face children will instantly understand. While the themes of emotional regulation may feel familiar, Grumblesome gives the lesson of emotional regulation a fresh face with Nat. His tantrum is real and he doesn't hold back, which young ones will resonate with. After meeting Nat, children ages two to six experiencing all-over-the-place emotions for the first time will come away reassured that these big feelings are valid, temporary, and, most importantly, manageable. Parents who appreciated the emotional honesty of Molly Bang’s When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry . . . will find that Grumblesome is another perfect book to add to the reading stack. Moreover, Foster’s thoughtful recommendations for parents at the back of the book cements this as an invaluable tool for those with little ones. Tender, relatable, and emotionally intelligent, Grumblesome shows us all that even the biggest grumbles can lead to the sweetest growth. —CANREADS BOOK REVIEW Published by Gifted Unlimited, LLC. Pre-Order Grumblesome on Gifted Unlimited, LLC. www.joannefoster.ca www.brandondorman.com Instagram: @fosteringkidssuccess