The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a magical story that no childhood should be without. This journey of a mouse through a deep, dark wood captures the imagination and now means that every time we walk through woodland we all keep our eyes peeled for the illusive Gruffalo. The little mouse shows that even a small animal can outwit predators and a fantastical creature in order to have some peace and quiet to enjoy a delicious snack. It is the story of a victorious underdog, or should that be undermouse?
A mouse took a stroll through a deep dark wood.
On his walk, the mouse meets a fox. The fox definitely wants mouse for lunch. Some quick thinking and a bit of confidence helps the mouse to conjure a terrible creature in the fox’s mind. This creature has terrible tusks, claws and teeth. Added to that, the creature loves roasted fox. This is enough to scare the fox away and the mouse journeys on. The name of that creature? A Gruffalo!
The woods are a dangerous place for a little mouse and it isn’t long before an owl has marked the mouse out for his tea. The mouse makes full use of his new invention and describes the terrifying Gruffalo to the owl. This time the creature has knobbly knees, turned-out toes and a poisonous wart on the end of his nose. The owl doesn’t want to hang around and meet this menacing Gruffalo and once again the mouse is left alone to continue on his way.
The poor mouse doesn’t get far before he is interrupted again. This time a hungry snake would love to have a mouse-shaped feast. The mouse deploys another gruesome description of a creature with orange eyes, a black tongue and with purple prickles all over his back. The snake doesn’t like the sound of the Gruffalo and quickly slithers off.
The mouse is suddenly stopped in his tracks by a… Gruffalo!
The Gruffalo has a healthy appetite for the mouse too but the mouse will not be defeated. He manages to persuade the Gruffalo that he is, in fact, the scariest creature in the wood. He wants to prove it to the Gruffalo and asks him to follow him back through the woods. The snake, owl and fox are terrified of the Gruffalo but the mouse manages to trick the Gruffalo into thinking that it is actually the mouse that they are running from. Eventually the Gruffalo flees before the mouse can make him into a crumble! The mouse finally has the woods to himself and he sits down to enjoy a delicious nut.
Talk about
The story is a fantastic tale and the sequence is easy to remember so that even very young children can delight in remembering what comes next.
You could use the story to talk about animals and habitats as the fox lives underground, the owl in the treetop and the snake in a log pile house. You could also use the story to talk about which animals are frightened, who they are frightened of and why.
It is interesting to explore the fact that the Gruffalo (big, powerful and strong) is still able to be frightened and even frightened of a small thing and that is ok. Even big brothers or sisters, Mummies and Daddies can be frightened sometimes and sharing that fear or talking about it with someone can help - perhaps if the Gruffalo had a friend to walk with then they could have discussed the fear of the mouse and the end of the story might have been very different.
You can even explore language, have some fun and change things around to show your hold the impact just switching a few words can have. What would the Gruffalo look like if he had purple eyes, yellow eyes, grey spikes all over his tail?
You might also think about the fact that the mouse is triumphant due to his own quick mind and intelligence and he doesn’t need violence or shouting to get himself out of a sticky situation.
Here are some ideas or questions that you might want to use to start a discussion in your family. You know your family and which questions they are ready to tackle now and which can be left for another day:
- Why does the fox want the mouse to come to his house for lunch?
- Why does the fox run away instead of eating the mouse?
- Do you think that the fox, owl and snake are afraid of the Gruffalo?
- If everyone is afraid of the Gruffalo, why does the Gruffalo run away from the mouse?
- Are you surprised that a creature as big and powerful as the Gruffalo can be scared?
- When you are scared what can you do to help deal with your fear?
- Does talking about something that you are frightened of, or about, help you to feel better?
- Is the mouse really be the scariest creature in the wood?
- If you had to make up a fantastical creature to scare someone, or something away, what would it look like?
- Who, or what would you like your creature to scare away?
Crafts and activities for kids
The Gruffalo is a brilliantly crafted story and children can pick up the order of the encounters with each animal very quickly. Learning to put together and remember a sequence is an important skill and helps children to develop their own abilities to tell stories and recount events. We made a Gruffalo Felt Board to play with and to retell the story.
To accompany your reading take a look at this video of Julia Donaldson talking about writing The Gruffalo and singing The Gruffalo Song.
- Read and Create The Gruffalo Felt Board
- The Gingerbread House Gruffalo Cupcakes
- The Imagination Tree Gruffalo Playdough
- The Fairy and the Frog Gruffalo Story Sack
- The Feverish Feltist Gruffalo Wooden Spoon Puppets
- Here Come The Girls Gruffalo Cardboard Tube Characters
- The Educators Spin On It Gruffalo Finger Puppets
- The Crafty Crow Moving Story Book
- Learning Parade Gruffalo Story Wheel
- Eats Amazing Gruffalo Snack
- Mummy Mishaps Gruffalo Party Treats
- Domestic Bliss NZ Gruffalo Shadow Puppet Theatre
What have you been reading this week?
The Gruffalo is such a classic children’s book - I love the felt Gruffalo you’ve made to help tell the story - what fun! x
Michelle recently posted…His ‘n’ Her Fashion at the UK Blog Awards 2014! #UKBA14
One of the best books ever!
Becky recently posted…Tuesday Treats..The 5 Linkys I Love Best
We adore the Gruffalo it’s the favourite of both of my kiddies
Emmys Mummy recently posted…I’m jumping from a plane and raising money for the Lullaby Trust with an awesome competition!
We love Gruffalo in our home too! a lot!
Such a fabulous story with plenty of talking points and fun activities. Is there anyone who doesn’t love the Gruffalo?!
Mummy of Two recently posted…Happy #TheGallery
I remember my sister reading me The Gruffalo one Christmas morning before either of us had children
I don’t need to tell you how much I love the Gruffalo!
Liz Burton recently posted…Natural comfort and luxury with Gingerlily silk bedding
An absolute classic book. A true favourite.
My boys love this book and I think some of these activities would be perfect for them, thanks for sharing!
My girls can recite the Gruffalo without any help from me. It is a firm fave in our house. I bet they would love these crafts!!
Donna recently posted…What a girl wants
We love this book! A great classic read x
Kerry recently posted…Outspiration App
What great activities! We love The Gruffalo
Emma recently posted…Celebrating with Jacob’s Creek
i hav always loved the illustrations in this book, my children , all of them loved reading it and my son is now enjoying it x
The Gruffalo is a favourite in our house, the boys want this book read to them most days! xxx
Vikki Holness recently posted…Riley: 29 Month Update
I love these book posts you do! I’ve missed them when I haven’t been around as much… the gruffalo is always a winner so I’ll be checking out some of those activities to go along with it!
Charlotte recently posted…Easter egg seed bombs
The Gruffalo is such a big fav in our house, off to have a look at the pinterest board!
Sonya Cisco recently posted…A Quirky Space To Work
Oooo love the Gruffalo - and have been mooching round your Pinterest board - some real gems on there!
Mammasaurus recently posted…Photos from a day out at Whipsnade
This book has to be our absolute favourite, J loved it and now the twins are discovering it too x
Kirsty - Hijacked by Twins recently posted…Cheap Budget Meal - One Pot Bacon and Broad Bean Rice
ive heard a lot about Gruffallo but didnt have a chance to read it, now i will for my little one when she is old enough
Victoria recently posted…Baby Shower preparations
We had went to their stage live stage and we all love it!
we adore The Gruffalo and and eating, sleeping, playing and talking all things Gruffalo! great collection of activities here thank you and for including my post x
jenny paulin recently posted…Sleep Monsters – Which One Keeps You Awake At Night?
Such a lovely post and I love the craft ideas you’ve given, especially the felt board is adorable x
Carolin recently posted…Clarks Shoes for girls - Amy adds to her shoe collection
Yup, it’s a fourite here too. Lovely ideas for exploring story as always thank you!
Chris at Thinly Spread recently posted…Learning to Ride a Horse and Toboganning - Visit Wales!
I love the illustrations in The Gruffalo. Brilliantly informative post x
We love the Gruffalo. Love the activities you created with it x
wendy recently posted…Things Can Only Get Better
My kids loved the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s child when they were small - and went to see them at the theatre too. Great stories
Both of my kids and my niece and nephew love this book! It really is a classic!
I so need to get some books like those,we still have not read this one .x
Like many other families, I assume, we all know the book off by heart! It’s a favourite and I’m sure will continue to be for a long time to come
Shell Louise recently posted…Happy Anniversary S.W.H.
We love the Gruffalo and so glad to see that there are so many exhibitions etc of it - which really help the kids get involved.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Gruffalo Live Relaxed Performance Birmingham Town Hall 24th August 2014
The gruffalo totally passed us by when JJ was young and to be honest the girls have never engaged that much with it either, but it is a fab book. Favourites here at the moment are the Alex Rider series for JJ and the girls are liking the rainbow fairies series (yawn) and some young Enid Blyton reads. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted…Facing your insecurities - can I love me just as I am?
we love the gruffalo! It’s such a good story
Polly recently posted…Earl Grey Cupcakes
Love the Gruffalo! Something we can always read or watch and everyone will enjoy x
Bex Smith recently posted…Benefit ‘Do The Bright Thing’ Giveaway with Life In A Breakdown
Easily my children’s favourite book. Thanks for including our Gruffalo cupcakes too
Jenny recently posted…Ellaâs Kitchen The Big Baking Book (The Yellow One)
Aahh such a magical story, one we have loved in our house for years. My daughter knew it off by heart at 3 years old. Good old Julia and Axel.
Steph ( recently posted…Pizza Bianca with Spinach, Artichoke & Ricotta
No matter what books come along in our house, the Gruffalo is a firm favourite! My oldest is four and makes up little rhymes about Mommy Ice Cream and Roasted Daddy…. I love the felt board!
Sara-Jayne recently posted…Wordless Wednesday… Easter Bunny Cake
One of our all time favorite books, never seen that video before though!
Kizzy recently posted…Local Loves - Belton House
LOVE The Gruffalo! I had to do a reading of it recently with an 8 ft Gruffalo joining at the end, I’ve never heard screaming like it! x
We are Gruffalo fans. Hayden calls it ‘Rah Rah’ meaning monster lol crazy child.
Great linky too.
Thanks for sharing hunny
Lotte xo
Berice Baby - London Lifestyle and Kids Fashion Blogger
You have a wonderful review of The Gruffalo, thank you.
I love your site and I voted for you in the Brilliance in Blogging Award and good luck, you deserve it.
I am also nominated in an Australian writing competition for my blog - Australian Picture Books -
If you get a chance to look at my blog over the weekend I would love you to vote for me in the People’s Choice Awards. It is about content and writing not about style. There is a badge on my blog which links to the vote - thanks
Lesley recently posted…Tanglewood by Margaret Wild
The gruffalo is such a great modern classic, we have nearly all if the Julia Donaldson books and sons of the plush toys to as F likes to act out the story with them x
Lori recently posted…MY WORKING DESK SPACE
We love the Gruffalo and I am gutted they have taken away our local Gruffalo trail
Kara recently posted…A Day Out with Warner
Wow, I love the idea of all these crafts which can follow up the book