Kindness is strength
Toby shows that responding to meanness with a kind word takes real courage — and works.
Picture book · Ages 3–8
The Grumble-Gator's Greatest Raft
A Tale of Toby, Barnaby, and the Sunny-Stream Pond
★★★★★
At the shimmering 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 his father’s words — and chooses a kind word over a hard shell. What happens next turns an enemy into the pond’s greatest raft-builder. It’s a gentle anti-bullying story about kindness, courage, and standing up to a bully — an ideal read-aloud picture book for ages 3–8, starring a grumpy alligator kids can’t help but root for.
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- 📦 Available in paperback, hardcover & eBook
- 🌐 Now available worldwide — find your copy near you
- ❤️ A gentle lesson in kindness, courage & standing up to bullies
Straight from me
Buy direct from the author
Order a copy right from me — every direct order helps keep Barnaby & Toby’s stories going.
Ordered direct and printed just for you — please allow up to 5 business days before it ships. (Need it fast? Amazon’s the quickest.)
Hear from the author
Cory’s podcast interviews
Two conversations about kindness, courage, and turning a small idea into a finished book.
The details
Book details
- Format
- Paperback
- Pages
- 26
- Reading age
- Ages 3–8
- Published
- June 26, 2026
- Language
- English
- Dimensions
- 8.5 × 8.5 in
- ISBN-13
- 979-8182359337
- Publisher
- JCT Creations
What your child will take away
Big lessons, gently told
Second chances are real
The rare story where the bully isn’t defeated — he’s changed. Children learn that people can grow, and that a kind word can be the reason.
Friendship is built
Toby and Barnaby literally build something together — a warm picture of teamwork and belonging.
Praise for the book
What readers are saying
Real words from the parents, families, and readers who’ve shared the story.
“It was INCREDIBLE! Loved the story line, and the pictures are some of my favorite. Rowan said, ‘How did they paint these?!’ … It’s perfect — super cute, and a good lesson my daughter actually needed to hear this week.”
“A lovingly told tale, based on a true story from the author’s life. I read it to my nephews (6 and 9), and they really enjoyed it.”
“Great story and wonderful artwork. Can help many people who deal with being picked on — a positive approach some people could try.”
“This is such a cute book. My kids have loved it.”
“Educational and family-friendly… it stands out immediately.” — Jeff R., via Facebook
Editorial praise
From the editorial assessment
An independent editorial review of The Grumble-Gator’s Greatest Raft by Prime Book Publishers.
“A warm, engaging, and highly accessible story concept with strong potential as a children’s picture book. Its greatest strengths are its memorable characters, clear emotional journey, positive message, and strong opportunities for visual storytelling.”
“Barnaby’s development is especially effective. He moves from being isolated and disruptive to discovering that he can contribute and become part of the community.”
“The story communicates kindness and empathy in a natural way. Rather than simply explaining the lesson, Toby demonstrates it through his actions.”
“A clear and satisfying progression from conflict to understanding to cooperation to friendship, easy for young readers to follow.”
“The raft works beautifully as both a story element and a metaphor for friendship, showing that cooperation can turn differences into strengths.”
“The story naturally supports conversations about kindness, empathy, friendship, inclusion, forgiveness, cooperation, and changing one’s behavior.”
“The characters and Sunny-Stream Pond provide a strong foundation for many more adventures to come.”
Questions parents ask
Frequently asked questions
What age group is it for?
It’s written for children ages 3–8 and shines as a read-aloud book for preschool and early elementary.
What is the book about?
A kind turtle named Toby is bullied by Barnaby, a grumpy alligator. Instead of hitting back, Toby offers a kind word and invites him to build a raft — a gentle lesson in empathy, peaceful courage, and change.
Is this a good book about bullying for young children?
Yes. It’s a gentle anti-bullying picture book that shows kids how to respond to a bully with kindness and courage instead of hitting back — a warm, hopeful message with nothing scary, made for ages 3–8.
Is it good for classrooms and social-emotional learning?
Absolutely. Teachers and homeschoolers use it as a read-aloud for kindness, empathy, and social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons, and it pairs perfectly with our free kindness printables.
How much is it and where can I buy it?
It’s available in paperback, hardcover, and eBook. Pick your country on our where-to-buy page and we’ll point you to the nearest store — from Amazon to independent bookshops worldwide.
Is it part of a series?
Yes — it’s the first book set in Sunny-Stream Pond, with more Toby & Barnaby adventures planned.