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
★★★★★
He was supposed to be the enemy. He became the friend who learned his strength was for building, not breaking.
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
Hear from the author
Cory in conversation
Podcast interviews, a live talk-show panel, and a live reader Q&A about kindness, courage, and turning a small idea into a finished book.
The Round Table Talk ShowLive panel on The Round Table Talk Show with host Sharifah Hardie: Cory joins seven other guests to talk about kindness and the story behind his books. · Watch →
The Kimberly Cloud ShowLive on The Kimberly Cloud Show: Cory talks about his journey as an author from Payson, Utah, and the kindness story behind The Grumble-Gator’s Greatest Raft. · Watch →
In conversation with Daniel KobrynerCreativity, courage & turning a small idea into a real book · Watch →
Mindset2Results with Elena Apalkova“Stop Waiting to Feel Ready: Turn Your Ideas Into Reality” · Watch →
Live reader Q&ACory answers readers’ questions from around the world: the boy who sat with him when he was bullied, why Toby chooses kindness instead of hitting back, and his one piece of advice: compliment one stranger a day. · Watch →
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.
4.8
from 52 reader reviews
S
Suzanna Nelson
The Grumble-Gator’s Greatest Raft Book
“My favorite scene is at sunset when their reed raft is finished and Barnaby says, ‘I thought being big meant I had to be scary,’ and Toby replies, ‘Being big just means you have more room for friends.’ Gentle, funny, and heartwarming — perfect for ages 3–7 and classrooms.”
Amazon reviewA
Abigail
A Sweet Story About Kindness and Friendship
“A charming children’s story with a wonderful message about kindness, friendship, and second chances. I loved how Toby chose not to fight back and instead found a way to include Barnaby. A lovely read for children learning about empathy and giving others a chance to change.”
Amazon reviewB
Brad R
How a Gentle Turtle and a Grumpy Gator Build Something Beautiful Together
“Toby remembers his father’s advice that ‘a kind word can plant a forest’ and chooses an entirely unexpected approach — showing how inclusion can dissolve aggression faster than retaliation ever could. Tarwater grounds the narrative in relatable childhood dynamics, making complex emotional choices clear and engaging for young readers. An ideal pick for parents, educators, and children who love gentle animal fables with meaningful lessons about kindness.”
Amazon reviewEditorial 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.