Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Funny story shows non-romantic side of Valentine's Day.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Jim Panzee is disgusted by the holiday and all the loving couples in GRUMPY MONKEY VALENTINE'S DAY GROSS-OUT until he learns that Valentine's Day is about caring for friends and family, not just kissing. After Jim rants about how gross this holiday is, his friend Norman and his parents tell him about the other sides of Valentine's Day, about the ways we can show our friends and family that we care, and how that can make people feel.
Is It Any Good?
The idea of celebrating love among friends and family is buried a bit deep under the idea that romance is gross. Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out has a wonderful premise and is a fantastic reminder that Valentine's Day is about gratitude and caring, but Jim Panzee could spend a little less time being disgusted by love and a little more time being generous with his loved ones. It's a fun read, though, with lots of great places to make faces, do funny voices, and remember that love isn't just about romance. The illustrations are a delight, filled with vibrant colors and ridiculous facial expressions to charm young readers and their adults reading aloud.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the ways we can show others we care about them, like Jim does in Grumpy Monkey Valentine Gross-Out. How do you show your friends and family that you care about them?
What does Valentine's Day mean to you?
In what ways do other people celebrate Valentine's Day? Why would some people not celebrate it?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Max Lang
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Friendship , Holidays , Animals ( Wild Animals )
- Character Strengths : Gratitude
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Studio
- Publication date : November 29, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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