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WORK TITLE: Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever
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COUNTRY: United States
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LAST VOLUME: SATA 385
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PERSONAL
Married Max Lang (an animator and illustrator); children: one daughter, one son.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and television producer. Worked for Cartoon Network as a series development executive; Nickelodeon International, animated shorts producer; writer for the U.K. production company Magic Light Pictures
WRITINGS
A Grumpy Monkey musical was produced by the Pasadena Playhouse.
SIDELIGHTS
Suzanne Lang is an author of children’s books who has frequently teamed up with her husband, Max, an animator and illustrator. A writer as well as producer for television, Lang has worked for the Cartoon Network and most recently for Nickelodeon. After making their debut with Families, Families, Families!, the Langs produced the celebratory picture book Hooray for Kids! The rhyming text proclaims all the different traits, habits, hobbies, and interests that children can have, whether neat or messy, happy in the water or on the sand, fond of jumping or crawling, cooking, reading, eating, or anything else at all. A Kirkus Reviews writer affirmed that the Langs’ successfully “get across that there are all types of kids in this world.”
Lang started a hit series, again with her husband as illustrator, in writing Grumpy Monkey. Waking up for another day in the jungle, Jim Panzee quickly reveals how he sees the glass of his life as half-empty: he is discontented with the brightness of the sun, the blueness of the sky, and the sweetness of the bananas, among other concerns. After his gorilla friend Norman and other animals offer all kinds of thoughtful, but ultimately unhelpful, advice about cheering up, Jim finally just sits with his negativity—and soon it goes away. A Kirkus Reviews writer, affirming that young readers will appreciate Jim’s emotional journey, observed that Lang’s “encouragement to sit with your emotions (thus allowing them to pass) is nearly Buddhist … and it will be great bibliotherapy for the crabby, cranky, and cross.”
[open new]Lang revealed the origins of the “Grumpy Monkey” series in an interview with Rivertowns Moms. Although people often imagine their children inspired the books, Lang’s husband came up with the idea earlier in their relationship. Lang related: “When we were dating I was having a grumpy day, and he kept trying to cheer me up, which only served to annoy me further. I told him I just wanted to be grumpy, and he thought that sentiment—about needing to ride out a mood—would make a good picture book. Of course he read the room and was wise enough to keep it to himself in that moment.” Years later, when they were parents, Max finally shared the idea, and a star was born. About her partnership with her husband, Lang told ShoutoutLA, “Max and I as a creative team are good at striking the balance between silly and heartfelt. Our books always have a message, often on a social-emotional theme, but we try not to hit the readers over the head with it. If a parent and child are laughing together it can often make it easier to open a discussion about other, less easy feelings.”[suspend new]
An upcoming celebration is what sparks a poor mood in Grumpy Monkey Party Time!, because Jim does not know how to dance. His friends once again offer an array of pointers, prompting the resistant Jim to realize that he simply does not enjoy dancing—at which point some of the others admit that they feel the same way. Together, they take advantage of all the other ways to have fun at the party, socializing, playing games, and enjoying the refreshments. A Kirkus Reviews writer appreciated that this title, like its predecessor, “emphasizes self-acceptance and authenticity” and “effectively communicates … the feelings of facing pressure to conform to others’ expectations and the relief of honesty.” In Booklist, John Peters added that from the original title to Grumpy Monkey Party Time!, the focus shifts “from recognizing one’s own feelings to having the courage to express them, providing a decent thematic foundation.”
Grumpy Monkey’s adventures continue in graphic-novel form with Grumpy Monkey Freshly Squeezed. Lang divides the book into three chapters, all featuring beloved Jim Panzee. As the stressed-out protagonist goes on a walk one Wednesday in the jungle carrying an orange, his friends start to appear and disrupt the silence he craves. Jim gets so frustrated by the disruptions that he squeezes his orange and it is no longer edible. The friends search for a replacement snack, which causes adventures to ensure. In the hunt for a papaya, the friends splash in the water, swing from vines, and escape a flock of parrots. A Kirkus Reviews critic took note of the humorous wordplay and the helpful “guide to speaking Jim’s nonsense language.”
[resume new]In the picture book Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared, Jim Panzee is in denial as he and friends walk through the jungle on Halloween. He insists he is not scared as they pass strange sounds and sights—which turn out to be friendly critters—but when a snarling red-eyed creature appears, Jim’s fear becomes loudly apparent. In School Library Journal, Emily Brush observed that this “dialogue-driven romp through the nighttime jungle” features “a spookier tone than the rest of the ‘Grumpy Monkey’ series.” Seized by restlessness in Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever, Jim Panzee seeks advice from friends about how to calm himself down. The scent of lavender, deep breaths, and a cup of tea only agitate him further, so finally Norman suggests that he simply enjoy and make the most of his energy. School Library Journal reviewer Jillian Girardeau observed that, like other books in the series, this one soundly “encourages readers to embrace their emotions” as Jim himself “chooses to embrace his feelings and find constructive ways to let his energy out.”
One of the Langs’ “Grumpy Monkey” chapter books for early readers is Grumpy Monkey Too Many Bugs. Jim Panzee would love to play, but Norman is too busy carefully collecting insects. As Jim tries to deal with his frustration, Norman starts to realize that, however nice he is being, maybe the bugs are not exactly pleased about getting collected. The story includes fun facts about beetles, grasshoppers, and butterflies. In School Library Journal, Lyn Smith called this title an “engaging … entertaining story of friendship, curiosity, and caring for others.”[close new]
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, September 1, 2019, John Peters, review of Grumpy Monkey Party Time!, p. 112.
Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2015, review of Hooray for Kids!; March 1, 2018, review of Grumpy Monkey; August 15, 2019, review of Grumpy Monkey Party Time!; April 15, 2021, review of Grumpy Monkey Freshly Squeezed.*
School Library Journal, June, 2023, Emily Brush, review of Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared, p. 56; February, 2024, Jillian Girardeau, review of Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever, p. 83; May, 2024, Lyn Smith, review of Grumpy Monkey Too Many Bugs, p. 66.
ONLINE
Rivertowns Moms, https://rivertownsmoms.com/ (August 18, 2024), “Meet a Mom: Suzanne Lang, Author of Grumpy Monkey.”
ShoutoutLA, https://shoutoutla.com/ (March 4, 2024), “Meet Suzanne Lang: Children’s Book Author & Animation Writer.”
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!
Meet a Mom Suzanne Lang, Author of Grumpy Monkey
If you’re a toddler parent, you likely have at least one or two books from the Grump Monkey series. Young fans of The New York Times bestselling books love Jim Panzee, who in turn helps them learn how to deal with common but challenging feelings.
Suzanne Lang lives in California with her husband, illustrator Max Lang (who she’s created the 13-book series with), and their children, a daughter, 12, and a son, 8, as well as plenty of pets. In this week’s Meet a Mom interview, she shares her inspiration, advice for anyone with an idea for a children’s book, and more.
Where did the idea for Grumpy Monkey originate?
People assume Grumpy Monkey was inspired by our kids, but actually Max had the idea long before we were parents. When we were dating I was having a grumpy day, and he kept trying to cheer me up, which only served to annoy me further. I told him I just wanted to be grumpy, and he thought that sentiment — about needing to ride out a mood — would make a good picture book. Of course he read the room and was wise enough to keep it to himself in that moment. In fact. he didn’t share the idea with me until years later when we were parents.
Love that story. How do you come up with ideas for the series now?
The ideas are often inspired by issues our kids or their friends — or we as parents — are experiencing or thinking about. Other times our publisher suggests a theme. This is particularly true with the board books, which are about toddler issues such as fussy eating or that fun phase where they always say no.
Every toddler parent knows that one well! Why do you think the series has resonated so well with audiences, kids and parents alike?
I think the message that it’s okay to feel our feelings as long as we don’t take them out on others is validating both for kids and parents. I also like to think the fact that we deliver heartfelt messages with humor is appealing.
What are you proudest of in terms of your books?
Every time I hear from a child, parent, grandparent, or educator about how one of our books resonated for them or someone they care about, I am moved.
What advice do you have for parents who have an idea for a children’s book?
Make it! We live in an era where we can make things ourselves so just do it. When we made our first two books, they were for our daughter, who was a toddler at the time. We didn’t make them expecting to get them published; they were just books we wanted her to have.
Any advice on raising kids who love reading?
Make a routine around reading together from a young age. But like everything with kids, be flexible and don’t beat yourself up when it doesn’t work. Take advantage of local libraries and try lots of different kinds of books to see what your child likes at a given time. Expose them to different formats, but be mindful of where they are developmentally. It can be tempting to hurry kids into books that we as parents find more engaging, but if the child is not ready for it, they might become bored or frustrated.
And while we are all eager to have our kids read on their own, don’t worry if it doesn’t happen. Keep reading with them, and enjoy that special time together. And lastly, be kind to yourself. Just because your child doesn’t like reading one day doesn’t mean they won’t have a change of heart down the road. But also it’s okay if reading is just not your kid’s thing. You’re still a great mom raising a unique and fascinating human being.
Favorite children’s books (recent or classic) other than your own?
Too many to name, but here are a few: all the Frog and Toad books; Where the Wild Things Are; Mrs. McTats and her Houseful of Cats; Oh No, George!; 13 Words; Ottoline; The Chronicles of Narnia; Harry Potter; pretty much anything by Roald Dahl.
Meet Suzanne Lang | Children’s Book Author & Animation Writer
March 4, 2024
Leave a reply
We had the good fortune of connecting with Suzanne Lang and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Suzanne, what role has risk played in your life or career?
My impulse is to play it safe when it comes to my career. I worked for years as a development and current series executive because the thought of trying to strike out on my own as a writer was too terrifying. I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of not knowing where my next paycheck was coming from. For a while I was happy to be creative-adjacent, helping talented artists and writers to shape their visions. But as the years wore on, I found myself growing more frustrated. My job was to help everyone else get something made, all the while stifling my own urges to write and create.
When I met my husband, we had a creative spark, and he began encouraging me to prioritize my own writing over the steady paycheck. It took years for him to convince me, but I am glad he never gave up. Finally taking that step to put my own ideas first – and our ideas as a creative team – ultimately led to a truly fulfilling work life. It didn’t happen overnight, but it was absolutely worth the risk of walking away from more steady work.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
First and foremost I am a children’s book author, most known for the Grumpy Monkey series of picture books which I make with my husband, illustrator Max Lang. To date we have written close to twenty Grumpy Monkey titles spanning formats from board books to picture books, young graphic novels, and early readers. Our work has been translated into more than twenty-seven languages, and there is even a Grumpy Monkey musical now, which was produced by the Pasadena Playhouse!
When I am not working on books, I write for animation, most often for a wonderful production company in the UK called Magic Light Pictures. Max and I have adapted several Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture books into scripts for animated specials for Magic Light. Titles include Zog, Zog and the Flying Doctors, Stick Man, The Snail and The Whale, and Tabby McTat. I’ve also done some development work for Magic Light including the written development on their first TV series, Pip and Posy.
My career began in animation as a development and current series executive so writing for animation came naturally to me once I allowed myself to leave the comfort of a steady paycheck and try out the far scarier but ultimately more satisfying existence of freelance writing and producing. Max was key to my taking these risks; he believed in me as a writer more than I believed in myself, and his relentless encouragement to the point of nagging is what ultimately forced me to take what was for me the very difficult step of prioritizing my own ideas. He knew that together we would be great creative partners; he just needed to convince me. Having worked for well over a decade as an executive whose job it was to shepherd other people’s creative visions, I somehow lost the idea of myself as a writer and creator, both because as an executive the companies I worked for put me into a box and also because I started to buy into that narrative, telling myself the artists and writers I hired were the talented people, and as an executive I had to accept I was not one of them.
Even when I finally took the plunge and decided to try out a freelance life, I focused first on creative producer jobs over writing jobs. Those jobs felt safer to me, and I felt more comfortable in putting myself forward as a producer than a writer. But over time I put myself forward for more and more writing work in animation. This coincided with our first child being born, and the timing surely helped me to see the benefits of a freelance life as a working parent. When our daughter was getting ready to start preschool, I wanted to find a book for her that would show her that not all of her soon-to-be classmates had families that looked like ours. We were living in London at the time, and I couldn’t find such a book. Eventually Max said we should just make the book ourselves. And so we did. It was really just intended for our daughter, but making it opened the floodgates, and Max also mocked up the skeleton of what would eventually become the first Grumpy Monkey book. So we had these two books we printed ourselves for our daughter, but since we both worked in animation we thought it couldn’t hurt to show them to a few people to see if anyone felt they had legs. One of the people we showed them to came out of the publishing world, and she felt she could sell the books. She did. The families book was made first; it wasn’t a big success, but the publisher still ordered a follow-up to it. That title went out of print almost instantly. On the heels of that failure we assumed Grumpy Monkey would be the last book we ever made. But it struck a chord and found an audience.
And now I find myself regularly moved when I hear from children, parents, and educators about how the Grumpy Monkey books impact their lives. Max and I as a creative team are good at striking the balance between silly and heartfelt. Our books always have a message, often on a social-emotional theme, but we try not to hit the readers over the head with it. If a parent and child are laughing together it can often make it easier to open a discussion about other, less easy feelings.
And so now Max and I get to work together every day. We get to keep making Grumpy Monkey books, and we’ve even got a book coming out next year that isn’t Grumpy Monkey. It took a long time to get here, and while there are lessons to be learned – believe in yourself, take risks, stick with it – I also know that for me at least, it’s much easier to give advice than to follow advice. I also believe in the importance of the journey. There were clearly things I needed to learn in my pre-writing career in order for me to cultivate and appreciate my current life as a writer.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If someone is visiting LA, they want to see the beach. My favorite is Abalone Cove in Palos Verdes. It is not necessarily what people picture when they think of a Southern California beach, but its rockiness makes me think fondly of beaches I visited when I lived in England. Of course The Getty is a must for anyone visiting LA, and I like that it is equally fun for young kids all the way up to grandparents. I am an author so I will encourage any visitors to LA to check out some of the great, independent bookstores around town such as The Last Bookstore, Children’s Book World, Annabelle’s Book Club, Diesel, a special shout out to Vroman’s in Pasadena and extra hugs to Once Upon a Time in Montrose who have always been so supportive of Max’s and my work. I always take visitors exploring in Los Feliz and Silver Lake, making a particular point to stop in at Wacko, which has been one of my favorite LA shops since long before I lived here. Foodwise everyone needs to visit The Apple Pan for the atmosphere as much as anything. I am originally from the east coast so bagels are important to me. All my visitors get treated to Belle’s Bagels in Highland Park. And everyone who comes to town must try a cheese roll from Porto’s, though has anyone ever just had one Porto’s cheese roll? I love checking out local supermarkets when I travel, and I assume many visitors to LA might like to do the same. H Mart in Arcadia is particularly fun. There are so many more places and eats to shout out, but I worry if I don’t stop myself now, I’ll prattle on for too long!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would not have my career were it not for my husband and creative partner, Max Lang. His support of my writing has been unrelenting from the early days of our relationship. Thank goodness he is tenacious because it took years for him to convince me that my ideas were worth prioritizing. I am challenged and inspired by him constantly, and I am daily grateful that we get to work together.
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/suzanne-lang-33a04562
Facebook: @SuzanneMaxLang
Image Credits
All images credited to Ericka Kreutz EXCEPT “grumpy monkey 6” which is credited to Samantha Smith
LANG, Suzanne. Grumpy Monkey: Too Many Bugs. illus. by Max Lang. 32p. (Step into Reading). Random. Jun. 2024. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9780593434680; pap. pap. $5.99. ISBN 9780593434673.
PreS-Gr 1--Step right up and into reading success with this delightful early reader, starring the one and only Grumpy Monkey. Jim Panzee wants so much to play with his gorilla friend, Norman. But Norman is too busy collecting bugs to play with him, and Jim feels left out. Relationships are tested as Jim's frustrations mount, and Norman begins to doubt his soft-hearted actions towards the bugs, quietly admitting, "They are quite a handful." Colorful animated illustrations, easy-to-read words, and simple science bug facts about butterflies ("Its name is Butterfly-Butterfly. It drinks nectar from flowers"), beetles, and grasshoppers will lead young readers right along in this entertaining story of friendship, curiosity, and caring for others that's gone a wee bit awry. This book is perfect for young ones learning to read, as it uses basic vocabulary and short sentences while telling an engaging story. VERDICT An energetic early reader with humorous illustrations that young readers will return to again and again.--Lyn Smith
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Smith, Lyn. "LANG, Suzanne. Grumpy Monkey: Too Many Bugs." School Library Journal, vol. 70, no. 5, May 2024, p. 66. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A797499832/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=c1a3f7c6. Accessed 20 June 2024.
LANG, Suzanne. Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever. illus. by Max Lang. 32p. (Grumpy Monkey). Random House Studio. Jan. 2024. Tr $11.99. ISBN 9780593652336.
PreS-Gr 1--Jim Panzee the chimpanzee wakes one morning bursting with energy. "Why do I feel so silly?" he asks a friend, Norman. The answer might be "spring fever." Horrified, Jim sets off through the jungle, asking all of his neighbors for help to cure his illness. The animals suggest a variety of mindfulness tactics: smell some lavender, take deep breaths, have a cup of tea, but these only make Jim more energetic. Finally, Norman makes a wise suggestion: Jim should enjoy himself rather than seek a cure! As with previous books, Lang's story encourages readers to embrace their emotions. Jim's friends highlight many useful tools that children can use when they are feeling rowdy. However, when these tools fail to make an impact on Jim, he chooses to embrace his feelings and find constructive ways to let his energy out. VERDICT A good book to have on hand for more raucous story hours; many children will find comfort in the familiar characters and story structure, but this will also suit any child needing to get the wiggles out.--Jillian Girardeau
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Girardeau, Jillian. "LANG, Suzanne. Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever." School Library Journal, vol. 70, no. 2, Feb. 2024, p. 83. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A784714348/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=cc30f9eb. Accessed 20 June 2024.
LANG, Suzanne. Grumpy Monkey Don't Be Scared. illus. by Max Lang. 32p. (Grumpy Monkey). Random House Studio. Jul. 2023. Tr $10.99. ISBN 9780593486955.
PreS-Gr 2--Jim Panzee, the chimpanzee, and his friends hear a distant, eerie knocking sound in the jungle as they set out for treats on Halloween night. The moonlit prowl is less inviting than their daytime jaunts, offering more tricks than treats as creeping, crawling creatures spy from the shadowy undergrowth. Jim denies his obvious fear of the unfamiliar sights and sounds with his repeated phrase, "I'm not scared." As they walk, the gang discovers that most of the unsettling noises they hear are actually their nocturnal friends scurrying around in the dark. However, as they press on, the distant knocking sound grows louder and more imminent. Suddenly, the knocking becomes screaming, "Aye! Aye! Aye! Aye!," and the friends are face-to-face with scraggly hair, bulging red eyes, and sharp fangs. Too frightening for Jim, he admits his fear and cries out, "I'm really, really scared!" This dialogue-driven romp through the nighttime jungle works in unison with expressive, cartoon-style pen and watercolor sketches to produce a spookier tone than the rest of the "Grumpy Monkey" series. This jungle escapade could momentarily remind readers of Jonathan Allen's I'm Not Scared!, but the memory will swiftly fade as the goosebumps creep in. The initial illustration of the red-eyed, screaming creature is particularly frightening, and coupled with some light fart humor between the friends, this book will likely be most entertaining for early elementary readers. VERDICT Libraries that purchase this Halloween edition in the "Grumpy Monkey" series will see it quickly flee the shelves.--Emily Brush
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
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Brush, Emily. "LANG, Suzanne. Grumpy Monkey Don't Be Scared." School Library Journal, vol. 69, no. 6, June 2023, p. 56. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A751405687/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=1d47f513. Accessed 20 June 2024.