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Saturday 23 November 2019

Review: The Gruffalo's Child

The Gruffalo's Child was first published 15 years ago. It's now considered a modern classic, and rightly so.

With the Gruffalo's Child escaping her cave when she's meant to be sleeping, it's clear from early on that something is going to happen.

Although the Gruffalo's Child is determined to find the Big Bad Mouse, she finds other creatures instead, and they are all friendly and helpful, sending her on her way with directions to where they believe the Big Bad Mouse to be.

Will the Gruffalo's Child ever find the Big Bad Mouse?


Julia Donaldson's rhyming text is clever and children listening will soon be reading along with you, repeating the refrain.

The illustrations by Axel Scheffler are done in just the right way, so as to appeal and encourage curiosity, rather than be scary.

This special 15th anniversary edition of The Gruffalo's Child comes complete with a dust jacket that can be removed and used as a 'snowy play scene'. It also has press out pieces of the characters who feature in the story. They can be pressed out, and folded to stand up along side the snowy scene.

The back of the book includes instructions for setting up, playing and telling your own stories with the characters, plus the words for The Gruffalo's Child Song, and information from the author and illustrator about writing and illustrating the story.

The Gruffalo's Child has earned its popularity with children worldwide, and this special edition deserves a place on bookshelves where it can be easily found for repeat readings.

Title: The Gruffalo's Child
Author: Julia Donaldson
Illustrator: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books, $14.99
Publication Date: September 2019
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781509894475
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book