Misery Moo by Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross (Andersen Press)

Apparently, I can be quite grumpy at times. When behind the wheel of the car, yes I'll admit I'm grumpy. When the cistern on one of the loos breaks for the umpteenth time, yep that would most certainly make me grumpy. When the local woodpigeons or bees decide to wake me up at 4.30 in the morning by cooing stupidly or buzzing like a buzzsaw. Yeah that would do it.

But I've got nothing on Misery Moo, the main character in Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross's book. Misery Moo always finds something to moan about. In the winter it's too cold and rainy. In the summer it's too hot and sticky. Despite her constant moaning and groaning, Misery Moo ends up with a rather lovely friend - who can see past her downtrodden exterior through to her heart of gold.

But when Misery Moo's friend, the lovely sheep, disappears one day, what happens next?

Of course you'll have to read the book to find out. We thought we'd done a really good job of hoovering up all the Jeanne Willis / Tony Ross books but just when we think we've read them all, another one pops out of the woodwork. Misery Moo tells a touching tale of friendship, and why it's not always ideal to go around with a face as long as a fiddle. Your mood may rub off on others! So I'm committed to trying to be the less grumpy of the seven dwarves, I'll happily trade for dopey instead :)

Charlotte's best bit: Misery Moo's happy go lucky sheep friend

Daddy's favourite bit: Misery Moo's expressions, no one does 'miserable' like Tony Ross!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars