The Grumble-Gator's Greatest Raft

By Cory Tarwater

He was supposed to be the enemy. He became the friend who learned his strength was for building, not breaking.

A picture book about kindness and anti-bullying for ages 3-8, where the bully isn't defeated. He becomes the hero.

At the sunny center of Sunny-Stream Pond lives Toby, a kind young turtle. At its shadowy edge lives Barnaby - a Grumble-Gator with a splashy tail and a grumpy heart. When Barnaby's teasing goes too far, Toby remembers something his father once told him... and chooses a kind word over a hard shell.

What happens next turns an enemy into a friend - and the pond's greatest raft-builder. Because as Toby comes to say, "Being big just means you have more room for friends."

A gentle, heartwarming story about kindness, courage, and standing up to a bully without hitting back, The Grumble-Gator's Greatest Raft is a read-aloud picture book for children ages 3-8. It's perfect for bedtime, story time, and classroom or homeschool lessons on empathy and social-emotional learning (SEL).

Children and grown-ups will love:

A warm, hopeful message about responding to meanness with kindnessA lovable, grumpy alligator who learns that no one is beyond a second chanceGentle themes of friendship, empathy, and belonging - with nothing scaryBeautiful, hand-painted pond illustrations on every pageA story inspired by a true experience from the author's own life

Whether your child is learning how to handle a bully, how to be a good friend, or simply why kindness matters, Toby and Barnaby's story offers a lesson that stays long after the last page.

A picture book about kindness and anti-bullying for ages 3-8 - a meaningful gift for birthdays, holidays, and new readers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0H6QFLL76
• ISBN13: 9798182359337
• Release Date: June 2026
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 28 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.5" x 8.5"