The Gruffalo
July 8, 2010
Written by Julia Donaldson and wonderfully illustrated by Axel Sceffler The Gruffalo was voted as the UK’s favourite children’s bedtime story by BBC Radio 2 listeners in 2009.
First published in 1999 the book has now sold over ten million copies and is a contemporary classic. Written in rhyming couplets with an engaging rhythm, the book tells the story of a clever mouse who is foraging in the woods for a tasty nut to eat. On his journey he meets variously an owl, a snake and a fox, each of which think the mouse will make an extremely delicious snack.
To evade their clutches the cunning mouse makes up a story about a terrifying creature called a Gruffalo who happens to enjoy eating foxes, snakes and owls! At the mention of this hideous beast the other animals soon flee and leave the mouse to continue his search.
However, imagine the mouse’s horror when he finally encounters a Gruffalo! Then the mouse………… Well that would be telling wouldn’t it?
Based on a traditional Chinese folk tale this book is aimed firmly at the 3-7 year group and comes thoroughly recommended.