Book Review: Grumble Boats by Susannah McFarlane

Grumble Boats

Author: Susannah McFarlane

Illustrator: Tamsin Ainslie

Pub Date Apr 15 2025

Goodreads | Amazon

What happens when you’re feeling upset? Grandma shows Emma how to say goodbye to being grumpy in this sweet and sensitive social emotional picture book.

A must-read for preschoolers and kindergarteners who are often caught up in their feels.

Emma is spending the afternoon with her grandmother, but she’s very grumbly. That’s because she didn’t get to go to the pirate party with her brother and now she feels left out.

Grandma shows Emma how to draw your grumbles. Then how to take your grumble drawing and fold it into a boat. They take their boats out to the water and say goodbye to their grumbles forever.

Once they let go of their grumbly feelings, a different type of grumble makes them realize something: it's time for lunch! A gentle and loving social-emotional learning story for little ones learning to navigate their feelings.

My review: 

I'm always searching for books that my son and I can enjoy while teaching valuable life lessons. I came across Grumble Boats, an adorable story that I can’t recommend enough. It’s the perfect book to read with little ones while enjoying its sweet illustrations.

The story revolves around a young girl who feels angry because she couldn’t attend a party with her brother and had to spend a few hours with her grandmother instead. What starts as a frustrating day for the girl turns into an unforgettable moment thanks to her grandmother’s patience, understanding, and love.

The grandmother transforms her granddaughter’s anger into a game called “Grumble Boats.” This game is not only creative (and a very easy idea to try someday) but also offers a beautiful metaphor for managing emotions. It’s such a subtle yet powerful lesson on the importance of validating feelings and finding creative and healthy ways to deal with them.

I can’t forget to mention the adorable dog Bella that accompanies the story. Its presence adds an even warmer and more familiar touch to the narrative since we have a dog (our beagle Bernie). We often go to the park with him and play, although he doesn't behaves as good as Bella. My son and I absolutely loved it!

The illustrations by Tamsin Ainslie, are delightful and beautiful. Each page has a soothing and cozy feel that perfectly complements the story. The soft colors and delicate strokes make the reading experience a visual pleasure for both adults and children.

In short, Grumble Boats is a must-have in any children’s library. It’s a story that fosters family bonds, and teaches respectful emotional management. My son and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’m sure you will too.

Don’t hesitate to give it a try!

Rating: ★★★★★

Thank you Netgalley for providing a copy for review.