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Jack Thompsen, also known as Not So Serious Jack, enjoys writing stories, traveling, going on adventures and making new friends. He is a full-time computer programmer and has been writing since he was a kid. He finds writing is one of the best ways of sharing exciting worlds and ideas. Writing is powerful. One of his biggest goals is making this world a better place and he hopes his children’s book series will be the first big step in that direction.
Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite
The Grumpy Kid is a children’s book, written in rhyme by Not So Serious Jack (Jack Thompsen) and illustrated by Oliver Kryzz Bundoc. Arin is a young boy whose first day at his new school is not so bright. When his new classmates - Dan, Ross, Suzy, Barry and Kevin - try to discover why Arin is so grumpy that day, they do not let him answer. In their over excitement, they rather offer solutions to his bad mood. Annoyed, Arin storms off, but discovers a new friend in the woods to make him feel more at ease. When Arin’s classmates track him down, a new hero emerges, surprising everybody in the group.
I very much enjoyed Not So Serious Jack’s tale about the new kid in school. Seeing all of the children trying to become his friend, but with nobody actually listening to Arin at all when he tried to talk, I could easily understand his frustration. Having attended so many different schools over the years, I can relate to Arin being so grumpy at having to leave his friends behind at his old school, but sometimes it is unavoidable. The Grumpy Kid is cleverly titled and written in a way which leaves the reader curious about Arin’s anger, as well as amused by the children who try a little too hard to be his new school mate.
When overwhelmed, I also tend to go for a walk, so Arin’s response to their crowding him was common sense. It is necessary to get to know somebody before trying to forge a friendship, regardless of how old you are, and it is equally important to allow them space and some time to answer any questions you have for them. The Grumpy Kid was a delightful read, and I do not hesitate in recommending it to any reader aged 5-12, so that they might understand why it is important not to crowd a stranger, as well as learn some common sense when out in the woods.
