The Grumpface is a poetic fairy-tale that tells the story of Dan, an inventor who ventures into a forest looking for a rose. Instead he finds the mysterious Grumpface who threatens to hold him captive unless he passes some difficult challenges. What follows is a humorous adventure that neither Dan nor the Grumpface could have anticipated.

The Grumpface is a tale in the spirit of any grand adventure. It is about a clumsy young inventor’s quest for love and the challenges he must face to find it. It is also a tale of bravery, absurdity and happiness, and the power of these qualities over negativity and sheer grumpiness.

Every parent will be acquainted with their own little ‘grumpface’ now and then. This story stands as a small piece of hope – that no matter how ingrained the grump, there will always remain in every one of us a smile or a laugh just waiting to come out.

Grumpface, is a grumpy old ogre-like green man, who lives in the forest of Ho. He has lived there ever since he was cursed by a wizard.

Whenever people wander into his forest, Grumpface catches them and makes them complete a task. If they win they go free, if they lose, they have to stay with him.

One day Dafty Dan, a failed inventor, wanders into the forest looking for a rose, to give to the woman he loves, Bella. Dan goes too far into the forest and soon ends up in one of Grumpfaces traps. He is then ordered to complete the tasks.

Will Dan be able to complete the tasks, or will have to stay in the forest forever?

The Grumpface is an exquisitely drawn, colourful children’s rhyming book. It reminded me of ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’, with its troll making the goats complete tasks to get across the bridge.

The Story is very enjoyable, and has a fairytale-Esq feel to it. The plot is both humorous and heartwarming at the same time. It will certainly keep youngsters entertained from beginning to end.

BCR Fegan is an Australian author who has written a number of fairy tales and fantasies for children and young adults.

Raised on a small hobby farm only minutes from some of Australia’s greatest beaches, Fegan grew up inspired by the power of natures ambience. From the intensity of the frequent summer storms, to the overwhelming serenity of a lonely beach in the early hours of the morning. His ravenous appetite for both reading and writing soon saw him drawing on the transformational influence of the world around him to craft short stories, poems and picture books.

www.bcrfegan.com
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