Help remembering a book.

[Yourinmyspot]

I read a story when I was a child in the late 70’s early 80’s. It was about this old man who was always grumpy and miserable and the children were scared of him, until one day a boy smiled at him and he smiled back. They became friends over time and it turned out the man was just lonely.

It really stuck with me. I can’t remember if it was a book in it’s self or a short story.

It doesn't exactly fit your description, but could it be the Oscar Wilde story "The Selfish Giant"?

Abebooks has a forum where people ask questions like this, @Yourinmyspot - if the wisdom of MN doesn’t come up with the title, you could try there.

Was it a picture book? Or a book someone read aloud to you? Do you remember the context of the story?

if you read it yourself, do you remember the cover?

That sounds like Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian?

First thought was The Selfish Giant.

Agree that The Selfish Giant or Goodnight Mr Tom are more likely, but a rogue suggestion would be Heidi.

Mr Grumpygroo’s Hat?

Thanks for the suggestions it’s not Goodnight Mr Tom or The Selfish Giant.

Ooh thank you it could well be this, i think it could well have been an Enid Blyton book.