I always enjoy reviewing children's books as the holidays approach. Books were such a part of my growing up, I don't remember ever having been without them. Although it has been argued that my mom taught me to read in self-defense, I don't ever remember learning how to read, I just did. Nothing made me happier than picking up a book and escaping into the world the author created. So I enjoy talking up books I would have been thrilled to unwrap. The stories by PJ Cowan definitely fit into that category.

First of all, who could resist such cute dragons? Part of a good children's book, is in the names of the characters. Well, in this case, the main character is actually three characters because it is a hydra dragon. The parents of the hydra baby is a hydra itself... Gertrude-Geraldine-Germaine. And this is how they came to name the baby:

The proud new Mom named the head on the left Giggle after the sound he made when she tickled him. She named the head on the right Gurgle because he gurgled when he ate his food and he gurgled when he drank his milk and he gurgled when he laughed. Gertrude-Geraldine-Germaine named the head in the middle Grump because he was grumpy. He did not giggle and he did not gurgle. He did not like being tickled, and he frowned all of the time.

As soon as I started reading this story, I could hear my mom's voice in my head reading with gusto. It lends itself to reading out loud, with much dramatic affect. Even the title is cause for delight. Ms. Cowan not only named her dragon's well, but she gave us sounds to have fun with, with the giggles and the gurgles. And we find out why Grump was so Grumpy, and how he came to be the dreaded Thunder Hydra.

The illustrations for the book are delightful throughout. Mike Motz always does a superb job in his illustrative work. Giggle Grump Gurgle will make a welcome addition to any child's bookshelf, whether for the holidays, a birthday, or just because. And while you're looking, Ms. Cowan has several other delightful children's books available, so be sure to check them out. We have previously reviewed Michael O'Brien and the Magic Hat (review 66) and Tilbee Toadlet's Trip to Town (review 85)

Preview Giggle Grump Gurgle

Originally reviewed for the LL Book Review