This story of a grumpy badger who learns about friendship as he tries to clean up his fall leaves was a bit over my toddlers' heads, but is beautiful and I think the comic style will appeal to older kids.

I received an electronic ARC from Diamond Book Distributors through NetGalley.
Mister Grumph comes across as serious and grumpy. Readers see Grumph cleaning up his front area to clear the leaves. However, he always stops to care for friends when they need it. The contrast between his brief vocal sounds and the way he nurtures everyone will come across as both humorous and loving. This care is returned when his friends clear the leaves and all are prepared for winter. Plenty of humor to finish the book as readers see one final "grumpf" as the season changes.
The artwork captures the character expressions and the connections among the characters.

3.8 Stars

As the title says, the book is about Mister Grumpf, who is always grumpy. He’s got to sweep the dried leaves again and again, and that’s bound to make anyone grumpy.
His neighbors stop by to chat with him, ask for help, and so on. He’s still grumpy, but that doesn’t stop him from helping them. And, of course, when the time comes, they all show up uninvited to help Mister Grumpf clean the piles of leaves blocking his door.
The illustrations are color with the autumn leaves bright and dancing in the wind. Mister Grumpf has pretty much the same grumpy expression most of the book. I’m guessing that the book is about neighbors who are a bit abrupt and even seem rude but are good people at heart. It sort of reminded me of A Man Called Ove, so I gave the book a few points extra.
But, hey, did they have to uproot a tree to get a kite?
Thank you, NetGalley, Diamond Book Distributors, and Magnetic Press, for the ARC.

This book is adorable. It has wonderful artwork in it, very much in a Calvin and hobbs style art and color but in its own distinct way. It's got a very sweet storyline and it would be very very easy for a child too help you read it because one of the main characters doesn't even speak. But it doesn't take away from the storyline and it actually adds to it. I can absolutely see reading this book to my preschool class and the kids making the noises with me and giggling. I liked that it was a moral book but didn't have an agenda. Just a generalized treat others as you'd like to be treated lesson. I highly recommend this book. It's sweet and innocent and has a simple yet powerful voice.

Thank you #netgalley for allowing me the chance to read this book and exchange for an honest review.

This is a well-illustrated book for children. The simplicity of the story is alright. I can say that the vivid colors and cute characters can put one enough to be in the world of the story.
Even though that's the case, maybe I am looking for something like a kind of surprise or aha moment in the latter part realizing what has ensued in his departure; a deep feeling to the character that would attach me, especially to Mr. Grumpf or the other characters.
Overall, it's a quick, short read that would suit the taste of children.

Very cute, simple and wholesome. I think the art is very expressive and lovable, which alone could sell a series like this. But more importantly, I think this has potential to be a great starter book for younger children who want to get into reading comics. I'm sure adults who are comics fans who want to share their interests with their children would love to use books like these for their own kids.

The Book       

This delightful book is the first one in a 4 part series.  Each book can stand alone and will be released in a different season of the year.  The golden rule ... rules... in this tale.  "Treat others the way YOU want to be treated" is a beautiful standard to practise and to live by.  

Mr. Grumpf, a disgruntled badger, is busy trying to rake up his autumn leaves but his neighbours keep interrupting him.  Although he is grouchy and annoyed he always stops what he is doing and helps.  He extends kindness to his neighbours and puts his needs on hold. 

In the meantime the leaves keep falling and piling up which makes him very frustrated and angry.  How is he supposed to get his work done with these distractions?  When he finally calms down and returns to his house a BIG, BEAUTIFUL SURPRISE awaits him.

The colourful illustrations are truly amazing and kids will love the comic book/ graphic novel format. One feels the more chilling winds of autumn blowing with the colour pallet chosen and the fall activities that are happening.  I love the book from start to finish and I highly recommend it.

This book is wonderful! The illustrations are beautiful with a lovely autumnal setting, and the characters are so sweet. Mr. Grumpf is a super fun character to follow as he grumpily tries to clear the leaves from the front of his house while his neighbours chat and ask for his help. The overall story is super cute with how the community comes together to help their neighbour that just helped all of them. I’m very intrigued that this is part of a seasonal series! I love the idea of having a book like this for every season, and I can imagine how nice the illustrations would be for those as well. Mr. Grumpf would definitely be a favourite for kids to read about.

Mr. Grumpf is a lovable curmudgeon. When we first meet him, Mr. Grumpf is busy trying to sweep away the last of the leaves from his doorstep in preparation for the fast-approaching winter. He is a badger that doesn’t want to be bothered. His neighbors, however, must have missed the memo because he is constantly being interrupted.

Despite his ill-tempered disposition, Mr. Grumpf always helps his neighbors when they ask and sometimes even when they don’t. Whether it’s helping a mouse retrieve his kite that’s stuck in a tree (and then repairing it when it turns out to be broken) or delivering nuts to a beleaguered father squirrel who has fallen behind in gathering nuts for winter, Mr. Grumpf is always of service to his neighbors…though never with a smile.

When Mr. Grumpf finally makes it home, he finds all the neighbors he’s helped helping him with his pre-winter chores. The smallest of smiles breaks through his grumpy veneer when the same mouse whose kite he saved presents him with his once-broken broom—repaired and ready to go.

I loved the illustrations in this book. The author uses a minimal of dialogue and narration to tell the story. It is image-driven, so children must interpret what’s happening most often by following the sequence of images on the page and reading the characters’ facial expressions.

All in all, I loved Beneath the Trees and I’m looking forward to the next books in the series.

This is a story of Mister Grumph, who is desperately trying to prepare for winter, and all of his neighbors who need something. Children will likely laugh each time that Mister Grumph is interrupted, yet again! I really liked that this was written in a comic / graphic novel style for very young readers. This story is really driven by its illustrations, often having little dialogue (especially from Mister Grumph), which makes it the perfect format. It also helps introduce that format to our youngest readers so they can learn to read the pictures and the words, panel by panel. Overall, a solid addition to a children's library, but I'm not sure how many times it would be good for re-reading. It might depend on the child!

I am not normally a fan of the comic book styled books, especially when I have to try and read it out loud, but this completely changed my opinion. The drawings and story were so beautifully done and flowed perfectly together to paint the whole story better than words alone. All 3 of my kids, from pre-k to 6th grade rated this 5 stars. I really enjoyed reading it. The characters allowed for some fun voices to present themselves, and we were all entertained the whole way through. You must read this one!

Beneath the Trees: The Autumn of Mister Grumph by Dav is a seasonal autumn book written in a graphic novel/comic format. The illustrations are accompanied by minimal text, allowing readers to use their imagination and the illustrations to interpret what is happening in the story. This is a heartwarming story about being a good friend.

I love a good seasonal book, so I was excited about the opportunity to review this book and even more excited to see that it's the first in a four-part series. Mister Grumph is a badger that just wants to clear the leaves from in front of his home, but he keeps getting interrupted by his neighbors. At first, Mister Grumph comes off as a grumpy old man, but we quickly learn that he has a kind heart and is willing to put aside his task in order to help those in need. As Mister Grumph delays his work, the falling leaves continue to build up until the task becomes overwhelming. Grumph becomes angry and leaves to take a break. I was thrilled to see that Mister Grumph's neighbors stepped up and helped him out while he was away. I wasn't sure about this book when I first started it, but see Mister Grumph's kindness repaid by his neighbors made this book one that I would recommend to young readers.

This is a great book for young readers that are interested in graphic novels that may not be ready for more complex or mature themes. Additionally, this book would be great for readers that are beginning to gain confidence in their reading abilities, but have not moved on the beginning chapter books yet. This book would be ideal for K-2nd grade readers, although readers of various ages and abilities could enjoy the story.

Thank you to NetGally and Magnetic for an ARC of this title.

#BeneaththeTrees #NetGalley

Absolutely beautiful illustrations in this picture book about various woodland creatures preparing for winter. I loved all the depictions of fall and the various activities of the animals. I was however a little confused as to the target audience for this book. It reads almost like a graphic novel, with numerous pages and storyline without any text whatsoever, as well as some jokes that I thought were more targeted at an adult audience. Otherwise however, the book seems aimed at children. A parent reading this to a child would likely have to explain some of the jokes and narrate a lot of the section without any text.

Beneath the Trees is a delightful children’s book. The artistry is beautifully done, the graphic novel format is sure to engage many young readers, and the storyline is absolutely charming.
Mr. Grumpf is a curmudgeonly badger with a heart of gold who you can’t help but grow to love. He reminds me of a children’s version of the character Ove in Fredrick Backman’s novel A Man Called Ove.
Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a sweet story about Mr. Grumpf the badger who is trying to rake leaves in front of his house before winter comes, but a series of neighbors come by his house asking for help. He helps them out, but in the process leaves pile up in front of his house. At first he is discouraged, but then his friends help him out in return. The paintings are beautiful as well as the story. This is a great book about autumn/winter, but also about friendship and being kind.

Cute, cosy, autumnal, warm and gives you a fuzzy feeling in your tummy. I can imagine reading this by an open fire, with hot chocolate in hand to my niece on a cold, windy evening.

Thanks NetGalley for the early copy!!! My toddler and I very much enjoyed this autumn read! It read I little more like a graphic novel which we don't usually pick up but the story was super cute and had all the animals my toddler loves. There wasn't an overwhelming amount of text and it gave us time to just talk about what was happening in the pictures. Seeing her understanding and adding in her own bits to the story was fun. Looking forward to a print copy and more in this seasonal storyline!

Sweet story about the kindness of neighbors and lending a helping hand. Although Mr. Grumpf doesn't say much, he is always willing to help his neighbors and doesn't expect anything in return.

How can you not love this book? It has cozy fall and winter elements and adorable animals! The illustrations are absolutely perfect! It made me want to crawl under a quilt with a warm mug of cocoa.

This was such a lovely little book, Mr Grumph really is someone(a badger) that I can relate to strangely enough. He is trying to rake the leaves in front of his house but keeps getting distracted by his neighbours. It holds a lovely message about helping the people around you and I think that’s so lovely for a children’s book. The graphics in this book are utterly stunning and it made me feel so autumnal and cozy.