The Grumpface

B.C.R. Fegan

‘The Grumpface’, is a poetic fairy-tale that tells the story of Dan, an inventor who ventures into a forest looking for a rose. Instead he is finds the mysterious Grumpface who threatens to hold him captive unless he passes some difficult challenges. What follows is a humorous adventure that neither Dan nor the Grumpface could have anticipated.

‘The Grumpface’ is a tale in the spirit of any grand adventure. It is about a clumsy young inventor’s quest for love, and the challenges he must face to find it. But it is also a tale of bravery, absurdity and happiness, and the power of these qualities over negativity and sheer grumpiness.

Every parent will be acquainted with their own little ‘grumpface’ now and then. This story stands as a small piece of hope – that no matter how ingrained the grump, there will always remain in every one of us a smile or a laugh just waiting to come out.

Details:

Publisher – TaleBlade Press
Publication Date – May 1, 2017
Format – Hardback | Paperback | Kindle | ePub
Dimensions – 8 x 10 in (254 x 203 mm)
ISBN – HB 978-0-9953592-0-8 | PB 978-0-9953592-1-5 | Kindle 978-0-9953592-2-2 | ePub 978-0-9953592-3-9
Pages – 32 pages | 32 color illustrations
Language – English
Age Range – 4 to 10

Key Ideas:

Positivity

Fairy Tale

Grumpiness

Imagination

Perseverance

Love

“All of Dan’s interactions with the Grumpface are delightful, and Fegan’s competent and clever rhymes scan well.”
“A skillful fairy tale…” – Kirkus Reviews

“Overall, readers young and old will appreciate this tale of a bumbling but valiant hero who puts his own spin on a classic quest. The Grumpface is an entertaining book worthy of multiple readings.” – BlueInk Review

“I’m already a little in love with The Grumpface and feel sure this super book, and its author will go far.” – March of Time Books

“Sweet and funny picture book with vivid illustrations and clever rhyming text. Emphasises the value of positivity and laughter.” – The Bookbag

“The Grumpface is light and fun, and the grumpiness and daftness of its leads are sure to set children giggling.” – Foreword Clarion Reviews

Excerpt

 

In a land far away, at a time long ago,
Was the Village of Hay, near the Forest of Ho.
In the midst of the forest, in the darkest place,
Lived a grumpy old creature they called the Grumpface

And once in a while did a traveller go
On his way to the village through the Forest of Ho
And so easy it was to get lost in that place
And get caught in a trap by that grumpy Grumpface.

Yet if they could finish one task out of three
The Grumpface would have to let them go free.
For he was cursed long ago, as a grumpy old man
When he grumped at a wizard who came up with a plan

That because he was grumpy and would never replace
His frown with a smile, he’d stay a grumpface.
So there he remained in the Forest of Ho
Spreading his grump wherever he’d go.

Synopsis

Warning – Spoilers

Our tale begins in a small village that sits beside a dark forest. Dan, the hero of our story is an optimistic, young inventor who suffers the unfortunate trait of being clumsy. Working day and night on his inventions, he hopes that his efforts might gain the attention of Bella, a flower girl whom he secretly admires.

When it comes to his attention that Bella has no more roses to sell, he decides to brave the dark forest in order to find her one. The only problem, is that the forest is inhabited by a grumpy creature known as the Grumpface, and this creature is not known for his kindness to lost travellers.

It doesn’t take long before our poor hero is confronted by the Grumpface who quickly challenges the young inventor to three tasks. If he is able to pass even a single challenge, he will be freed, if not, he will remain forever in the forest.

Dan readily accepts the challenges and, having a bag of small inventions with him, tries desperately to put them to good use in each of the challenges. Unfortunately, the more he tries, the more spectacularly he fails. However all is not lost. Each time the clumsy inventor fails the task, the Grumpface struggles more and more to maintain his grumpy composure.

As Dan fails his final task, the Grumpface can no longer contain himself. Dan’s clumsiness and clueless behaviour is too much for the Grumpface, and he can’t help but laugh. Surprisingly, this breaks the creature’s curse, and the Grumpface is transformed into an old man. In gratitude, he provides Dan with two welcome instructions – The first, is the way out of the forest. The second, is a small detour that will lead Dan to a single, red rose.

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