About the Holiday

It’s probably safe to say that everyone knows a grouch. And if we’re being honest, it’s probably safe to say that we’ve all been a grouch at one time or another. Some days (weeks?) are just like that. Today’s holiday encourages people to embrace the humor or simply the humanness of grouchiness and aims to make things just a little better for those prone to see the negative side of life. If you know someone who’s grumpy or complainy try giving them a smile or a little special treat. Even doing something goofy or surprising might make them laugh in spite of the doldrums. Perhaps there’s something going on in their life that they’d like to talk about. Spending a little time listening as a friend, may help brighten their day too.

Tot the Toad Makes a Mess

By Jim Benton

Tot the toad knew how to grumble about everything, anything. The rain? Too wet. The sky? Too blue. The white, fluffy clouds? Too fluffy, too many. But when his friend Zoggy passed by with a case of the munchies, Tot perked up. He was, he proclaimed (though “you might not have guessed”) . . . an excellent chef—maybe even the best.” He found Zoggy a seat at the table then went into the kitchen, where he started cooking. “He piled the platters / with things brown and green, / both sticky and slimy, / and gray in between.”

Text and illustration copyright 2026 by Jim Benton. Published by Scholastic copyright 2026.

Proudly, Tot served the first course—a bold appetizer, “which Zoggy thought smelled like some fresh fertilizer.” But Zoggy was politeness itself, and said he wanted to save room for what came next. What came next—and rejected—was a big pot of “gurgling stew.” Growing more grumpy, Tot stomped back to the kitchen and started again. Tot’s new menu had everything Zoggy would never could ever wish for, even a powerfully dreadful aroma. Zoggy eyed a spoonful suspiciously then had an idea: Tot should go first since he’d “been working so hard.”

Tot took a big bite, and although he found it hard to chew or swallow, he proclaimed it “too fancy” for “a child like you.” Then he ran to the kitchen and “guzzled some water.” Zoggy followed with sympathy and an offer to share “one thing he knew how to make.” Tot was doubtful as Zoggy got out bread and two jars. In no time Zoggy handed him a sandwich. With one glance, Tot deemed it too “simple” and clearly not “as good as the things that I made.” Still, he tried it . . . and what do you think he did then?

Text and illustration copyright 2026 by Jim Benton. Published by Scholastic copyright 2026.

Jim Benton’s rollicking and hilarious story of a self-proclaimed gourmet chef and unwitting guinea pig will have kids holding their tummies—with laughter. Known for his free-wheeling rhymes and spot-on vocabulary, Benton perfectly pegs Tot’s haughty personality and Zoggy’s quiet ingeniousness in his conversational delight. Picky (and even adventurous) eaters will appreciate the escalating hijinks in the kitchen and Tot’s growing frustration, and Zoggy’s three-ingredient dish will be a definite crowd pleaser.

Kids and adults will find Benton’s grumpiest of grumpy frogs irresistibly charming as they learn, from his frowning baby portrait, that his demeanor is an ingrained personality trait. Tot’s joy in the kitchen, then—juxtaposed with his towers of questionable dishes—becomes all the more funny. Kids will beg to peruse Tot’s meals, resulting in exclamations of “ewww!” and “gross!” and giggles aplenty. Zoggy is sweet-natured and empathetic and rightly proud of his prowess in the kitchen.

A book that will be read on constant repeat, Tot the Toad Makes a Mess is a must for any library or home collection.

Ages 4 – 8

Scholastic, 2026 | ISBN 979-8225071479

About the Author

Jim Benton is an award-winning author and artist. You may know some of the other things he’s made, like It’s Happy Bunny, Dear Dumb Diary, Franny K. Stein, Victor Shmud, and more. He’s created a TV series, written books, and produced a movie, and he always did everything his parents told him to do. Pretty much. Jim lives in Michigan with his wife and kids and can be found online at jimbenton.com.

National Grouch Day Activity

Make a Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich Game

With just a few ingredients, you can make yourself a delicious lunch! Turns out PB & J and a glass of milk also makes a pretty fun game! Play this printable game for some peanuty perfect fun!

Supplies

• Printable Peanut Butter and Jelly Lunch Game Cards
• Printable Peanut Butter and Jelly Lunch Playing Die
• Paper plate, one for each player (optional)
• Scissors
• Tape

Directions

1. Print one playing die
2. Print enough game cards for each player to have a set
3. Cut out the playing die and game cards
4. Game cards can be stacked near the players
5. Tape the playing die together

To Play the Game

1. Choose a player to go first
2. The first player rolls the die
3. The player takes a game card matching the picture on the side of the die facing up and places it on their paper plate
4. Play passes to the left
5. If a player rolls an item they already have, they pass the die to the player on their left without taking a new card
6. The first player to get all six parts of the peanut butter and jelly lunch is the winner

For a More Difficult Game

To make the game a little harder, roll the die to fill your plate in this order:

1. Plain bread slices
2. Peanut Butter
3. Jelly Jar
4. Jelly Bread
5. Peanut Butter Bread
6. Milk

You can purchase Tot the Toad Makes a Mess from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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