When we first arrived in England, I was puzzled by the Gruffalo's prevalence; why would (otherwise) loving mothers and fathers send their kiddos to school with this creature plastered all over their backpacks and lunchboxes?
I resisted reading for months and months (mostly because the book was never to be found at the library) . . . but once I did, I realized the error of my ways.
So, I'm here to shout it out and set the record straight for my fair reading friends . . . or something like that.
Moving on.
Here's what I think. (Consider it an overly formal summary of the work and my thoughts thereon. Sometimes, in the midst of zest and zeal, I get a little too serious for my own good. How's that for self-aware? Aren't you proud of me?)
Moving on, once more (for reals this time).
"The Gruffalo" is a clever, rollicking tale of an ingenious mouse who outsmarts the hungry inhabitants of a "deep dark wood." The little mouse scares off a fox, an owl, and a snake with his colorful descriptions of the Gruffalo, with whom he claims to have lunch plans.
But then, the Gruffalo appears, and then mouse has to use all his wits to escape the Gruffalo's rumbling tummy.
The story is told in a spectacularly rhythmic rhyme. (I love it when I find books that I can read with the proper rhythm the first time though; no awkward recitations or creative vocal interpretations necessary to make it work). My three kiddos (ages two, five, and seven) are all captivated by the tale, and join in throughout the story, chanting their favorite lines:
"Silly old Fox! Doesn't he know,
There's no such thing as a gruffalo?"
"But who is this creature with terrible claws
And terrible teeth in his terrible jaws?
He has knobbly knees and turned-out toes
And a poisonous wart at the end of his nose.
His eyes are orange, his tongue is black;
He has purple prickles all over his back."
"Oh help! Oh no!
It's a gruffalo!"
Frightful appearance notwithstanding, we've got a thing for the Gruffalo.
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