Every so often (emphasis on often) my son wakes up on the wrong side of life. It doesn’t matter how much sleep he’s gotten or how cheerfully I greet him with offers of food. He will grump and groan and be generally unpleasant for a good hour until his belly is full and he’s realized the day holds good things in store. Dealing with this in a 4-year-old is tough, because I can’t begrudge him feeling the way I often have. (but could he please feel that way in a different room?)
This is why books addressing big, unpleasant feelings are frequent guests on our bookshelf. We have quite a few books on emotions, but The Grouchy Ladybug has been read quite often in our home lately. Through repetition and exaggeration, it gives children the opportunity to look at how the way a person (or ladybug) feels can have an effect on how he treats other people. We follow the Grouchy Ladybug through an entire day of grouchiness, meeting animal after animal. Each one larger than the last, the Grouchy Ladybug tries to pick a fight with each one only to fly off claiming, “You’re not big enough”. At last he encounters a whale. Though silent and enormous, the whale finally gives that Grouchy Ladybug a bit of what he had coming and sends him sailing back to where he started. By this time, his grouchiness is spent and he is ready for a change of attitude. The hero of the book is another ladybug who kindly shares a meal and a gentle word.
What are some of your favorite books by Eric Carle? Leave a comment below to let me know–I just may feature your favorite in an upcoming post!
If you’d like to use this book in your classroom or home-school units, I’ve written a Reading/ELA lesson plan that offers extensive discussion questions as well as FIVE extension activities! Click on over to my store to check it out!
Chelsey over at Buggy and Buddy also has a really cute craft and free printable on her website!
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