Stories that help kids ask for help and handle big feelings.
Hi, I'm Brian Edwards — author of Gary Gets The Grade and Gary Gets The Grumps. Meet Gary, a kid who learns that advocating for help and how to manage your feelings leads to transformational growth.
New: Gary Gets The Grumps
$10.00 — order now
Two stories, One brave kid
Warm, funny picture books built for bedtime, circle time, and every wobbly moment in between.
Gary Gets The Grumps
Some days the grumps show up and refuse to leave. In this warm, funny picture book, Gary learns that big feelings are not bad feelings — and that naming them out loud is the first step to feeling better. A gentle story about emotional awareness for young readers, parents, and classrooms.
- Picture book for ages 4u20138
- Themes: big emotions, self-regulation, emotional awareness
- Great for SEL lessons and read-alouds
- Signed copies available on request
Gary Gets The Grade
Gary is stuck on a tough assignment and too embarrassed to say so. With a little courage — and one raised hand — he discovers that asking for help is something strong learners do. A story that normalizes help-seeking behavior and builds academic resilience.
- Picture book for ages 4u20138
- Themes: help-seeking, academic resilience, confidence
- Supports equity-minded school library collections
- Signed copies available on request
A kid who learns that speaking up is brave
Gary is curious, funny, and completely normal — which means some days he's stuck on a worksheet and some days the grumps take over. He doesn't have all the answers, and that's the point.
Across both books, Gary discovers two skills that carry kids far past the last page: asking a grown-up for help, and putting words to a feeling before it takes the wheel.
Asking for help
Normalizes help-seeking so kids stop equating "I'm stuck" with "I'm not smart."
Naming big feelings
Gives children language for frustration, worry, and the grumps — the first step to managing them.
Parent & educator resources
Ways to take Gary's stories further at the kitchen table, in the classroom, and across your library collection.
Discussion questions
Simple prompts for after the last page — "When did you feel like Gary?" — that open up honest conversation at home or in circle time.
Read-aloud tips
Pacing, voices, and natural pause points so the story lands with a whole classroom, not just one lap.
SEL connections
Both books map neatly to social-emotional learning goals: naming feelings, self-regulation, and asking for help.
Library & equity fit
Relatable, practical titles for school library collections supporting academic resilience, equity, and emotional awareness.
Hi, I'm Brian Edwards
I'm the author of Gary Gets The Grade and Gary Gets The Grumps. Both books normalize help-seeking behavior and help children deal with big emotions, making them relatable, practical additions to school library collections that support academic resilience, equity, and emotional awareness.
I hold a BS in Finance from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the University of St. Thomas–TX. I believe that all children can learn, and that every child should be aware of and have access to books like the ones in my Gary series so that they too can experience transformative life/academic progress.
I live in Katy, Texas with my family.
Based in
Katy, TX
Education
BS Finance · MBA
Books
Two and counting
Let's Talk Books,Visits, & Big Feelings.
Questions about the books, bulk orders for your school, or scheduling an author visit? Send a note and Brian will get back to you.
- bke@buildingknowledgeeverywhere.org
- @bkedwar1987
- Katy, Texas
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