Pre-order
1
of
1
The Grumpus
And His Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still
learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Summary
Read More
Format: Hardback
$3499
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Pre-order
Releases
29th
September 2026
(Approx. Date)
Pre-order "The Grumpus" now to secure your copy from our first shipment
Found a better price? Request a price match
The Grumpus
$3499
Unit price
/
Unavailable
Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for families and children, this book suits those looking for a heartwarming, humour-filled Christmas story to enjoy together. Fans of festive tales and vibrant picture books will find The Grumpus a perfect seasonal gift and a story to revisit year after year.
Latest News
The Book Briefing - September 1st
Welcome to this week's Book Briefing where we round up the news for the week!...
Screen Time for Tamariki - the books you need!
Finding the task of navigating screen time and the digital world for children incredibly complex,...
Shirl's Road Trip Reads and Board Game Picks
I recently spent a couple of weeks road-tripping with whΔnau visiting Aotearoa from overseas showing...
The Story to Screen Report - 01/09/2026
Sacha has rounded up all the biggest Story to Screen news from the past week,...
Books Our Dads Gave Us
For Fatherβs Day, we asked some of the team to share the books their Dads...
See moreAnother fantastically festive Christmas adventure from beloved author-illustrator Alex T. Smith, creator of How Winston Delivered Christmas and How Winston Came Home for Christmas.
Another fantastically festive Christmas adventure from beloved author-illustrator Alex T. Smith, creator of How Winston Delivered Christmas and How Winston Came Home for Christmas.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
From Alex T. Smith, bestselling author of the Claude series and How Winston Delivered Christmas, comes a fantastically festive Christmas adventure about a gorgeous grumpy character. A modern day Grinch, The Grumpus is a heartwarming story that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas and is accompanied by irresistible colour artwork, making it the perfect story for all the family to enjoy together.
Do you know about The Grumpus?
And his Dastardly, Dreadful Christmas Plan? And about the Awful Thing that happened at the North Pole on Christmas Eve?
Perhaps I should tell you about it . . .
This gorgeous hardback has a festively foiled cover and beautiful artwork from the author, making it the perfect Christmas gift, and a joy to return to year after year.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Critics praise The Grumpus as a future festive classic, highlighting its hilarious and sweet story that captivates children and adults alike. Zoe West of Woman and Home calls it "gorgeous to read with children leading up to Christmas," while Good Housekeeping commends its appeal to little ones. Sarah Dawson from The Independent notes the book's captivating narrative and amazing illustrations, making it a much-anticipated nightly read. Nicolette Jones of The Sunday Times compares it to a funnier take on a Christmas Carol, praising its spectacular illustrations.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781529041613
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 29 September 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 23.0mm
Width: 193.0mm
Height: 262.0mm
Weight: 724g
Pages: 176
About the Author
Alex T. Smith has drawn and written stories since he could hold a pencil. Alex graduated with a first-class degree in Illustration in 2006 and also won second place in the Macmillan Prize for Illustration in his final year. Since then Alex has gone on to work for a wide variety of clients, not just in the publishing industry, as well as writing and illustrating his own picture books, many of which have won prizes and have been read on TV during the Bedtime Hour on the CBeebies channel. Alex is also the creator of the bestselling Claude series for early readers, which are soon to appear in their own TV series on Disney Junior.
Also by Alex T. Smith
View all-
Mr Penguin and the Fortress of Secrets
From the international bestselling creator of Claude comes a brand new hero: Mr Penguin. Indiana Jones meets Hercule Poirot in this series from Alex T. Smith. Follow Mr Penguin and Colin as they crash-land on a snowy mountain. Will they be able to solve the mystery of the missing pets? What are the strange noises coming from the abandoned fortress?...Paperback$1999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Astrid and the Space Cadets: Attack of the Snailiens!
Blast off on an adventure with the Space Cadets! From beloved children's author-illustrator Alex T. Smith, the bestselling creator of the Claude series and How Winston Delivered Christmas, comes a funny and fast-paced adventure through space! With out-of-this-world illustrations on every page, Astrid and the Space Cadets: Attack of the Snailiens! is perfect for fans of Grimwood and Bad Guys,...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$1999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Astrid and the Space Cadets: Danger at the Black Lagoon!
Blast off on an adventure with the Space Cadets! From beloved children's author-illustrator Alex T. Smith, the bestselling creator of Claude and How Winston Delivered Christmas, comes a funny and fast-paced illustrated adventure through space. Filled with out-of-this-world illustrations on every page, Astrid and the Space Cadets: Danger at the Black Lagoon! is perfect for fans of Grimwood and Bad...Paperback$2299Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Pre-orderHow Winston Delivered Christmas
Join a brave little mouse on a big Christmas adventure! This is the chapter book edition of Alex T. Smith's modern Christmas classic How Winston Delivered Christmas, with gorgeous black and white illustrations from the author throughout - the perfect festive gift for newly confident readers. Winston is on a Very Important Mission. On Christmas Eve, he finds a letter...Paperback$1800Elsewhere:$2300Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-orderClaude On His Holidays
Come with Claude on three classic summer-themed adventures . . . Join Claude and Sir Bobblysock as they XXXXXXXXXXX, XXXXXXXXX and XXXXXXXXXX. A delight for young readers β Telegraph A collection of three favourite waggy tales, Claude XXXXX, Claude XXXXXXX and Claude XXXXXX - perfect for new readers, with illustrations on every page.Paperback$2999Unit price /UnavailableOut 13 Oct 2026Pre-order -
Pre-orderJ. Algernon Pickle in The Mystery at Odd-Doings House
Imagine if Hercule Poirot was a beaver... A fast-paced crime caper for readers aged 7+ with black and white illustrations. Ten-year-old Jacob Oolong lives with his eccentric great aunt, Lady Petronella Oolong, in the penthouse flat of Odd-Doings House. They arrive home one afternoon to find an enormous heart-shaped box of delicious chocolates has arrived for Lady Oolong. And these...Paperback$1999Unit price /UnavailableOut 22 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-orderHow Winston Delivered a Christmas Wish
Join Winston the mouse as he sets out on another irresistible Christmas adventure! A Christmas mystery written in 24-and-a-half chapters. The perfect Christmas gift for children who are ready to start reading by themselves. From beloved children's author-illustrator Alex T. Smith comes How Winston Delivered a Christmas Wish. Full of gorgeous colour artwork and Christmassy activities, this third Winston adventure...Hardback$3799Elsewhere:$4500Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Astrid and the Space Cadets: Race from Planet Peril!
Blast off on an adventure with the Space Cadets! From beloved children's author-illustrator Alex T. Smith, the bestselling creator of Claude and How Winston Delivered Christmas, comes a funny and fast-paced illustrated adventure through space. Filled with out-of-this-world illustrations on every page, Astrid and the Space Cadets: Race from Planet Peril! is perfect for fans of Grimwood and Bad Guys,...Paperback$1999Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
Pre-orderHow Winston Came Home for Christmas
Join Winston the mouse as he sets out on another irresistible Christmas adventure! From Alex T. Smith, bestselling author of the Claude series, comes How Winston Came Home for Christmas β the festive sequel to the much-loved How Winston Delivered Christmas. Full of gorgeous colour artwork and Christmassy activities for all the family to enjoy, this second Winston adventure is...Hardback$3499Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-orderThe Nutcracker
The perfect gift for any child this Christmas. From Alex T. Smith, bestselling author of festive favourites How Winston Delivered Christmas, How Winston Came Home for Christmas and The Grumpus, comes a gorgeous retelling of children's Christmas classic The Nutcracker - a Christmas Story in twenty-four-and-a-half chapters. The Mouse King is up to some very sneaky shenanigans. The night before...Hardback$3799Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Pre-orderThe Twelve Days of Christmas
A gorgeously illustrated Christmas classic re-written and illustrated by Alex T. Smith, The Twelve Days of Christmas, or Grandma is Overly Generous, is the creator of the Claude series and How Winston Delivered Christmas. On the first day of Christmas my Grandma sent to me . . . Grandma's presents may start off sensible - a partridge is easy enough...Hardback$1999Unit price /UnavailableOut 29 Sep 2026Pre-order -
Mr Penguin and the Lost Treasure
From the international bestselling creator of Claude, comes a brand new hero - Mr Penguin, adventurer and penguin. Indiana Jones meets Hercule Poirot in this new Alex T. Smith series with plenty of slapstick humour, mystery, and adventure. Highly illustrated throughout with a striking black and orange design. It has been weeks since Mr Penguin's last adventure and he's been...PaperbackSold Out
More from Children's Books
View all-
New ReleaseThe Neverfear
A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell Itβs the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyoneβs lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2299Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseMatihe! Achoo!
What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of TΔmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pΕ«rΔkau e pΔ ana ki a Mataoho me ngΔ puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...Paperback$1899Elsewhere:$2100Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleasePocket Observology
Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...Paperback$2399Elsewhere:$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Pre-orderNew ReleaseMinecraft Annual 2027
The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This yearβs annual includes: Mob guides on happy...Hardback$1999Elsewhere:$2499Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
Buy to WinNew ReleaseGiant Heart
Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. β[David Hillβs] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...Hardback$1999Elsewhere:$2500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New Release
Protector of Beyond 1
Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...Paperback$2199Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseAnimalia 40th Anniversary Edition
A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...Hardback$2999Elsewhere:$3500Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseThe Little Kiwi Builder
Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...Paperback$1899Elsewhere:$2199Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseYou Choose Party Time
It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...Hardback$2599Elsewhere:$3400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseWhen Nature Calls (Duck #2)
New in 2026, the latest story from Duck, the quirky new children's series by million-copy bestselling author Matt Stanton. Do you ever wonder what animals think about humans? Do they feel they could do a better job running things? Would they ever try and take over? Duck, Mouse and Dog are alarmed that the adults in Redhill are being brainwashed...Paperback$1700Elsewhere:$1999Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseThe Case of the Viral Video: Violet and the Velvets 3
Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...Paperback$1600Elsewhere:$1899Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today -
New ReleaseRoyalslinger
K Pop Demon Hunters fans will love this! Graci Kim is back with the second book in her exciting and fantastical Slinger series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life. Praise forΒ Dreamslinger: βA mind-blowingly original fantasy adventureβGraci Kim has done it again!ββRick Riordan,Β New York TimesΒ #1...Paperback$1999Elsewhere:$2400Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips today
Why buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Bookstore
We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.
