Cranky
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
From the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of the Food Group series, Pete Oswald, and debut picture book author Phuc Tran, this is a hilarious picture book about big trucks, managing big feelings, and even bigger friendships!
It's the last day at the construction site and Cranky the crane truck is feeling, well, cranky. And he doesn't want to talk about it. His friends Zippy, Wheezy, and Dump Chuck try to cheer him up. But you know what doesn't help when you're feeling cranky? A lot of talking.
But what will help?
With Phuc Tran’s hilarious text and Pete Oswald’s bold, expressive illustrations, this social emotional learning tale shows young readers how kind friends and honesty are the perfect tools for navigating strong emotions. Perfect for fans of Grumpy Monkey and construction vehicles.
A Children’s Book Committee Best Book of the Year!
How can Cranky’s friends help him when all he wants is to be left alone?
Books About Feelings: Follow Cranky the crane truck as he learns that it’s okay to be cranky, and that true friends don’t try to fix your feelings.Adorable Construction Vehicles: Meet a whole crew of lovable characters, from Cranky the crane and Zippy the cement mixer to their friend Dump Chuck!A Heartwarming Friendship Story: Discover how listening and simply being there is sometimes the best way to help a friend who is having a tough day.Laugh-Out-Loud Humor: With a funny, relatable refrain—"You know what doesn’t help when you’re feeling cranky?"—this book will have kids and parents giggling together.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Yellow crane truck Cranky is having a very bad day and doesn't want to talk about it. The character also wishes the other vehicles on the bridge construction project would stop being so solicitous ("You know what doesn't help when you're feeling cranky? People telling you to cheer up"). Cranky doesn't even celebrate placing the last piece of the bridge, and responds to concerned colleagues that "I don't want anyone to fix it and I don't want anyone to make me happy. And asking me what's wrong makes me feel like it's not okay for me to be cranky!" After the vehicles give Cranky a little space, the crane gradually regains composure and is warmly welcomed to the wrap party. "Thanks for telling us how you feel. That's the only way we can know," a cement mixer offers. Animation-style drawings by Oswald (Sleepy Sheepy), both sympathetic and funny about Cranky's dark mood, prove a sprightly accompaniment to punny text by Tran (Sigh, Gone, for adults); together, they show how the language of empathy and "self-of-steam" can be wonderfully regulating for anyone in a funk. Ages 4–8. Author's agent: Sarah Levitt, Aevitas Creative Management. Illustrator's agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions.
