Grumpy Monkey School Stinks!: A Graphic Novel

by Suzanne Lang, Max Lang (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

The Grumpy Monkey goes graphic novel! That means gobs more hilarity from your favorite frowner and all his hilarious antics as Jim navigates school.

An original graphic novel based on the #1 New York Times bestselling Grumpy Monkey picture books, perfect for children who are ready for longer storylines and hilarious dialogue. This time, Jim Panzee is going back to school. And he is NOT pleased.

During a game of hide-and-seek, Jim Panzee causes a real stink. Literally. He walks right into Polecat’s log to hide and instead gets covered in Polecat’s smelly spray. His friends remind Jim that if he’d paid attention in class, he’d have learned to identify animals by their footprints. So it’s back to school for Jim!

Guess what! School can be fun—once you get into the swing of it! But when Jim finds himself failing, his best friend, Norman, helps him understand that learning doesn’t only happen when you get everything right—you can learn from your mistakes, too.

This silly back-to-school graphic novel will engage even the most reluctant readers and will keep kids laughing from the first page to the last.

Also inside: A Primate Primer from Jim’s mom! A trail mix recipe from Jim’s dad!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593709344
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	06/17/2025
Series:	Grumpy Monkey Graphic Novels
Pages:	80
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Suzanne Lang is the author of the New York Times bestselling Grumpy Monkey books as well as several other titles. When she’s not writing books, Suzanne writes for animation. When she’s not doing that, she hangs out with her very funny kids, feeds her many pets, and tries (but usually fails) to take a nap!

Max Lang has illustrated over twenty books, including all the titles in the Grumpy Monkey series. When he’s not making books, he makes films. He has co-directed several animated movies, including The Snail and the Whale, Zog, Room on the Broom, and The Gruffalo. He has received three BAFTAs, two Emmys, two Oscar nominations, and many other honors for his film work. In his spare time, he tries to make his kids laugh at dad jokes, and when he inevitably fails, he takes his dogs for a walk.

Editorial Reviews

"Grumpy Monkey will win over readers with his antics and ­possibly introduce them to some new animal facts....this book that may become a ­favorite ­reread." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

05/01/2025

Gr 3–5—Another series title offering a humorous learning experience combined with the frantic energy level of Grumpy Monkey. Jim Panzee is playing with his jungle friends when he is sprayed by a polecat. Everyone agrees: he stinks! Could this accident have been avoided? What about attending school where he, accompanied by readers, can learn jungle life lessons? Jim resists attending, but begrudgingly goes with his friends. The animals learn jungle survival skills, like identifying other animals through their sense of smell and recognizing tracks. As the students begin "physical tests," they put their senses to work. Jim is starting to learn that school can be both practical and fun. The creators know how to keep young readers engaged. There's great humor when Jim experiences something new, with his entire body going into a pouting, curled-up, sulking pose. Jim's actions and emotions are on full display through very energetic illustrations that reveal exactly what he's thinking. Pages dedicated to learning new animal terms and a snack-making activity are a bonus. Grumpy Monkey will win over readers with his antics and possibly introduce them to some new animal facts. VERDICT Grumpy Monkey retains his usual humor while slipping in a little new knowledge in this book that may become a favorite reread.—Jessica A. Bushore

School Library Journal