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The Gruffalo

by , Axel Scheffler

The Gruffalo Reviews | Toppsta

Book Rating: 5 based on 172
172 Reviews
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"A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood. A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good." Walk further into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when the quick-thinking mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake and a hungry gruffalo ...

The Gruffalo Reviews | Toppsta

9780333710937
  • ISBN: 9780333710937
  • Pub Date: 21st August 1999
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 32

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27th February '16
Piglet read it themselves aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
No modern children's library is complete without this classic.  A clever and wiley mouse ventures through a wood, using his wits to evade being eaten by the creatures he meets. The rhymes are entertaining and clever and the comical pictures are appealing to young children. The repetitive rhythm and sections of the story make it easy for children to know what to expect and easy to join in after a few readings. 
18th October '16
I read it to Ragdollkhanbaby aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This is without doubt a classic book now!  We absolutely love the rhyming the illustrations and the whole style of this book, great imagination, lovely characters no book shelf is complete for a child without having the Gruffalo on it!!
19th January '16
I read it to Ivy aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
The Gruffalo is a must have for pre school children. My daughter and I love to read this book and we read it most nights. My daughter laughs at the story which is all about a little mouse taking a stroll through the deep dark wood meeting different woodland creatures until he meets the Gruffalo and scares him away!. My daughters favourite character is the Gruffalo because she likes his purple prickles allover his back!. We really enjoy this story and I know lots of other children would too. 
22nd August '17
I read it to Caden's chum aged 7 aged 7
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Definitely one of our favourite books, how a very clever mouse manages to fool the big monster! Great that we have grown up with it and he can read it to me.

We love putting on silly voices so that we can act out the characters too.
28th May '16
I read it to Finners aged 6 aged 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
My son's favourite book. Great read the kids will love it
3rd July '16
I read it to SophieKelly aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
The Gruffalo is a classic - a must for every toddler / pre-schoolers shelf.
Daughter quickly knew it off by heart (read to her since she was 2).... but the comprehension is difficult (that the mouse is on the cusp of being eaten several times....) as the wording is quite subtle... "come and have tea in my tree top house"......... ."thats terribly nice of you, but no". So I wonder how many children "know" the story but dont understand it. 
To do: visit the gruffalo / gruffalo child statues hidden in the nearest forest (http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-9htmte) - they all show different poses  from the this book and its sequel.... nice to actually see him lurking in the deep dark wood !!
20th February '17
I read it to Archiebusby aged 7 aged 7 , to Maisiebusby aged 5 aged 5 , to Charliebusby aged 2 aged 2 & to Year 1 aged 5 to 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
The Gruffalo is a favourite for every child!! I have read this numerous times to my class and my children. They join in with the repetitive language and know which animal is coming up next. A truly beautiful story with beautiful illustrations. 
27th April '16
I read it to Mads1811 aged 8 aged 8
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This was my favourite book when I was 3-6 years old me and my mum read it over and over again and because it has lots of rhyming words I knew it by heart. 
31st May '17
I read it to Spidey1 aged 3 aged 3 , to Ayaan15 aged 7 aged 7 & to Anaya1 aged 5 aged 5
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
My little one first read the book at school and insisted we bought it at the supermarket. It was a great decision as I found she loved the book and was always returning to it. At first she did say the Gruffalo was a little scary and felt sorry for the mouse but then explained how she could not pick who was her favourite character. It is 100% a good read for the little ones.
12th December '14
Read to children aged 3 & 5
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
The children and I Loved the story and the children especially found it more fun because of the rhyming and rhythm. Suited both my daughter and son
23rd August '17
I read it myself (an adult) , to THughes14 aged 7 aged 7 , to HHughes28 aged 4 aged 4 & to PHughes22 aged 2 aged 2
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Our favourite book. Through the years it's been each of my children's favourite book. I've lost track of how many times we've read it. My children can now read the book to us and it's just magical. 
The illustrations are superb and the rhyming and repetition is delightful. 
20th February '17
I read it to eric_ aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
My son totally loves this book, he asks us to read it over and over again. He already knows all the lines and recites the entire book. The rhymes, illustrations and actual story are all amazing for kids and for us adults reading the book. Some books for little kids don't have a very interesting story line, but for me this has such an interesting story and a moral lesson that I like a lot. I recommend this book for any child.
28th November '17
I read it to joshgok aged 7 aged 7 & to JakeGOK aged 5 aged 5
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Of course it's going to get 5 stars, it's one of the biggest childrens picture books ever.  What I love most about the story is that it captivates little ones.  Rarely has there been a time when I've read it, and anyone has made a noise! 

The characters are good, with lots of opportunity for voices, and there are very good descriptions of the Gruffalo which helps to shape children's ideas and understanding of using words to describe something or someone. 

A classic and a must have.
15th September '16
I read it to Rosie2336 aged 10 aged 10
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
We brought this book because my daughters class was doing a project about the Gruffalo. She loved this book. 
17th June '17
I read it to Terminator aged 11 aged 11 , to BOOKINATOR aged 8 aged 8 & to Earthquake aged 5 aged 5
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
I bought this book for my eldest son when he was a child. I have 3 boys now have read it out aloud to them countless number of time over the years, I think I know it by heart now! They have never got bored of this story - we've even done a role play at home, with the children playing the different characters. The illustrations are fabulous and the cunningness of the mouse to save himself from the owl, fox, snake and Gruffalo really keeps the children engrossed. One of our family all time favourites!! 
31st May '18
I read it to M1m1louise aged 8 aged 8 , to O11ie aged 7 aged 7 , to Georgepickle aged 0 months aged 0 & to Henn aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
We love this book. The rhyming makes it so appealing and the illustrations are hilarious. There are lots of things happening in the background and the rhyming means it's great for new readers to try their hand at. Great book. 
11th December '17
I read it to lyramai aged 9 aged 9 & to lexirai aged 7 aged 7
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
My daughters love this story and have made me read it for them a countless amount of times as their bedtime story. The story of the little mouse conning the other animals makes me girls (7 and 9) laugh out loud and it never seems to lose its shine with them. The gruffalo book is beginning to look pretty old through constantly being chosen but the effect it has on the children and now watching my elder daughter read the book to her little sister is just heartwarming. Great book for all ages.
1st June '17
I read it to DomDom aged 8 aged 8 & to Savannah aged 5 aged 5
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Both my children aged 8 & 5 both love this book still and we read it at least twice a week. We do different voices for each animal and we say the words together now. It's lots of fun and you can also ask the children lots of questions at the end of the book e.g. what colour was his eyes, what's his favourite ice cram etc... All in all a great book for all ages including mummy and daddy's lol. 
19th November '17
I read it to caljames aged 6 aged 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This book is brilliant, it really sticks in your head with the rhymes it uses to tell the story and it really caught my kids attention, my youngest son who is 6 loves this book and really enjoys me reading it with him.  The pictures through out the book are lovely and colourful and really help to tell the story as we read along.   I would definitely recommend this book to other young children,
15th February '18
I read it to Lyds07 aged 10 aged 10 & to Coco09 aged 8 aged 8
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
An absolute classic from Julia Donaldson. As a family we love her story's and books but this is the best! The kids enjoy joining in on the rhyming sentences. A must for any child to read.
31st May '16
HarryB read it themselves aged 6 aged 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
An all-time favourite classic loved by children and adults. Ours has been read so often that we had to buy a second copy! 
6th September '17
I read it to Jd2204 aged 8 aged 8 & to Md2006 aged 5 aged 5
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Great characters and well written
1st May '16
I read it to Belle aged 7 aged 7 & to Harri aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This is a must children's story and needs to be part of every child's collection. Both my children have loved reading this story, and due to the follow and rhyming style have been able to read to me. An excellent book. 
12th August '17
I read it to jasquires aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
I think all children know the Gruffalo, and with great reason, because it's a fantastic read.

Julia Donaldson is an amazing author who manages to capture her audience perfectly and her writing builds up a natural rhythm so the story just flows.

The story centres around a small brown mouse out on his own taking a stroll through a deep dark wood when he meets people who mean him harm, he tells little white lies to get away from them but eventually his lies come true and he has to think quickly when he meets the Gruffalo! It's like a modern day twist on the boy who called wolf but with a fun element.

The illustrations that go with the story are brilliant and really help the characters to come alive and although the actual Gruffalo is meant to be super scary he is drawn in a way that wouldn't frighten young children.

I've now read this story so many times I could recite it from memory.
24th May '17
JayGra read it themselves aged 6 aged 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
One of our favourite books! Such a good story and after watching the short film it made the book all the more realistic to Jayden.
15th October '16
I read it to Eric aged 6 aged 6 , to Ame aged 8 aged 8 & to Nutmeg aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Amazing rhyming book about a little mouse who makes up a gruffalo to save him from being eaten,we always come back to this book it's one of are favourites 
10th January '17
I read it to PMK aged 6 aged 6 , to MAK aged 4 aged 4 & to DFK aged 2 aged 2
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
A classic story, for both children and adults alike. The building up of the story, the descriptions of the Gruffalo, great illustrations, suspense, the underlying note of bravery and confidence. Fabulous.
25th December '14
Read to a child aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Tried to make the story lifelike and of course its on tv at this time
4th July '16
I read it to Maxwell12 aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This has turned into one of my sons favourite books. This book is a MUST read. My son has gone on to love the Gruffalo. The characters in this book were all very fun. 
25th December '14
Read to a child aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Fantastic my daughter loves both gruffalo and gruffalos child highly highly highly recommend
28th January '16
I read it to Spencer aged 5 aged 5 & to Lolly aged 2 aged 2
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
We have read this book so many times.  The lovely poetic story telling and colourful pictures make the story come alive.  My eldest has enjoyed being read to, but is now having a go at reading it himself too which is so lovely.
20th April '18
I read it to Readingchamp aged 9 aged 9
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This is a lovely book and I loved the way it reflected such a brilliant story   
30th November '17
I read it to mrbear aged 7 aged 7 & to mrfox aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
I think we know this book off by heart now. Everyone loves the Gruffalo!
11th October '17
I read it to Mt13 aged 4 aged 4 & to Ht15 aged 2 aged 2
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
We absolutely love this book. Fantastic, exciting story and great illustrations. I will never get bores of reading it
25th May '16
lewis1 read it themselves aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This book is a must read for every child. My son knows all the words by heart because we have read it loads of times but still loves to read it regularly. Its so well written and a lovely rhyming book.
25th December '14
Read to a child aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
My little girl really loves this book her favourite part is the rhyme describing the gruffalo she remembers all the words and reads along with me
25th December '14
Read to children aged 1 & 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This book was great. It kept both of my children interested throughout the whole story. The characters were great and the rhyming was brilliant.
24th March '17
I read it to joshgok aged 6 aged 6 & to JakeGOK aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Another classic and one every child will read in Reception at school. It's a story about a mouse who bumps into lots of animals who want to eat the mouse, and to escape them he builds up a story about a 'Gruffalo' to scare them away.  The mouse gets a surprise at the end, and has to think quickly so he can escape once again!

I like the almost poetic verse, with its repetitive nature that children adore, remember and recite with ease.

Some children may find the Gruffalo scary!
25th June '18
I read it myself (an adult) & to Gymnastjay aged 5 aged 5
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
A fab story about a clever little mouse! Wonderful rhyming and illustrations. An absolute classic for children to enjoy time and time again 
23rd February '17
Freya14 read it themselves aged 6 aged 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
A classic favourite in our house. Beautifully written and illustrated, we know it word for word we have read it that much. It is brilliant that Freya is now able to read it by herself.
27th September '16
I read it to anisha aged 11 aged 11 , to amanni aged 9 aged 9 & to faraaz aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
A children's classic, everyone should have a copy of the Gruffalo, a super book with great rhyming. A tale of quick wit, confidence and empowerment, love it!
22nd February '18
I read it to NathBoy aged 6 aged 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
One of Julia Donaldson’s timeless classics which we have read to all of our children over the years. Nathan loved the rhyming pattern and was soon able to join in with the reading. He loved the fact that the little mouse manages to outsmart all the woodland creatures. The illustrations just help bring it all to life. He is still not completely sure if Gruffalos really exist!
1st February '16
Rihanna Bangor read it themselves aged 7 aged 7
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This is my favourite movie and when i seen it in love book I had to get with birthday money, the character I like the most is the mouse, if u are not very good at reading like me ask your mum to help u with reading it, the pictures in the book are well illustrated you can tell the story by the picture, there is a park in Belfast that has all the characters in it and we would walk round it and tell the story it is so fun
2nd July '15
Read to a child aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
My child loved the book, so catchy my 3rd night my child was reciting the story to me.
29th July '15
Read to children aged 1 & 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
The gruffalo is a fantastic book my 5 and 2 year old absolutely love it. We read this book with out fail every night. The illustrations in the book are so bright and colourful that it keeps my youngest one engaged and the story is really fun my son likes to join in with the rhyming words.
26th May '16
I read it to flash aged 6 aged 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
We love this book, it is fun, easy to read, great for co-reading with my 6 year old and the illustrations are colourful and eye-catching. 
3rd November '16
I read it myself (an adult) , to Aby aged 6 aged 6 & to Laya aged 1 aged 1
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
A fantastic story about the adventures of a mouse in the deep dark wood and his fables about a monster.
"He has terrible tusks, and terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws... He has knobbily knees and turned-out toes, and a poisounous wart at the end of his nose. His eyes are orange, his tongue is black; He has purple prickles all over his back... He's the Gruffalo!
What a wonderfully narrative story with heartwarming and humours  illustrations  .
Really enjoy reading this to my daughters who enjoys looking at the pictures and listening to the fun filled rhyming sentences.
16th January '15
Read to children aged 5 , 7 & 9
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This book has been a family favourite for many years Andy youngest son now loves it too it has everything you need from a kids book a few laughs and a little bit of mystery too keep them turning the page
27th December '16
I read it to Oscar10 aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Absolutely love the gruffalo , who doesn't like the gruffalo. 
It's a catchy story and very each to understand for little ones , we have read it that much my son knows the story of by heart. 
The mouse is a clever little man says Oscar as he tricks the gruffalo
8th November '16
I read it to RhysMc aged 8 aged 8 & to CadenMc aged 6 aged 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Both my kids love this book. It is definitely the most read book in our house.  The mouse is walking through the woods and comes across various animals that want to eat him.  This is done very subtly so kids don't get upset. He manages to avoid getting eaten by tricking them. However, he gets a little surprise when he bumps into an actual gruffalo.
27th May '16
I read it to Hllatchem06 aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This book is a firm favourite with our 3 year old! It has to be read every day! Fab story that keeps the child interested and wanting to know more of what's going to happen. The Mouse is a clever little mouse who manages to outwit all the creatures it meets. The Pictures are great and my son loves to spot this within the pages too! Generally a brilliant book ! 
13th September '16
I read it to Atlanta aged 11 aged 11 & to Evamae aged 7 aged 7
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
A timeless classic. This flows and rhymes and is full of bright pictures which will entertain a baby right upto an older child. My girls loved it when I dropped off the last word and they would say it.
1st March '18
I read it to mrbear aged 7 aged 7 & to mrfox aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
A very clever story, and who doesn't love the Gruffalo! A favourite with big and small in our house.
27th May '16
I read it to Henry aged 5 aged 5 & to Lois aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Such a well known story now it's a must have book. We have read it so much that both kids can now recite it by heart between them! The audio book and the BBC programme have made it even more loved in our house
3rd January '18
I read it to meg aged 8 aged 8 , to archie aged 5 aged 5 & to flick aged 1 aged 1
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
All 3 of my children loved this book. It caught their attention from the beginning and has become such a favourite of there's.  They love the pictures in the book and they love to make up there own story with the pictures after. 
11th November '14
Read to children aged 2 & 7
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This book really draws the children in to the fantasy that is the Gruffalo. The simplicity of the rhyming makes it very easy to read to younger children.
22nd April '16
I read it to HarryDH aged 6 aged 6 & to ImmySC aged 2 aged 2
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
this book is one of our favourites from the julia donaldson collection! A much loved and read story, we love it. Both my 2 year old and 6 year old will sit and read and admire the illustrations and laugh with joy whilst doing so. Its a book that once it has been read the first time, it will be read again and again and will be treasured through childhood. You cannot just read this book once!! Oh help, oh no, its a gruffalo!! 
22nd June '17
Mylesydr read it themselves aged 6 aged 6
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Lovely story and lovely illustrations. My little boy loves the Gruffalo
9th April '18
I read it to Hbhb aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Great book that the children never seem to get bored with. Beautifully illustrated, a real modern day classic.
10th July '16
I read it to Superhero aged 5 aged 5
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
My 5 year old Loved it from start to finish !pictures were great too 
14th June '18
TRSlow read it themselves aged 7 aged 7
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Tulisa loved this book so much! Her favourite character was the little mouse and she loved the adventure he went on! When I told her there was a sequel to the book she has demanded that I go out and buy it. Loves reading the gruffalo and even got a gruffalo teddy that she holds while reading.
17th May '16
I read it to Tommy aged 7 aged 7
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
Tommy loved this book. He enjoyed the scary scenarios thought up by the little mouse. He's a big fan of monsters and really loved the Gruffalo character.

The book is funny and has great rhymes to keep kids entertained.

He can read most of this himself now but it's a really fun bedtime story to read to him anyway and I'd highly recommend it!
18th August '16
I read it to Elliotb aged 2 aged 2
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
5 stars
This is a fantastic rhyming book, my son aged 2 enjoys listening to it and loves the gruffalo character. I enjoy reading it because of the rhythm. 
20th February '16
Belllboo read it themselves aged 8 aged 8
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
4 stars
I know I am to old for this book, but my mummy used to read it to me when I was a baby and I still love it.  I love the rhymes and the pictures and the characters.  I am big enough now to read this to my baby cousin and we kept the hardbook so she can have it when she is big.  
2nd July '15
Read to a child aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
4 stars
Brilliant book for this age group! What enhanced the qualities of the book even more was the fact that it had sounds! This meant that my boys could not only listen to me read, but join in by associating the correct sound with the right animal.
11th July '18
I read it to aiwilford aged 6 aged 6 & to mrwilford aged 4 aged 4
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
4 stars
This is a great book. I really enjoy reading it to my little ones but it's not their favourite of the Julia Donaldson books. It's a long book so I would recommend it to over 4s. 
29th October '16
I read it to Nath aged 5 aged 5 & to Olli aged 3 aged 3
The Gruffalo 9780333710937
4 stars
Both my children Oliver 3 and Nathan 5 love this book to be read at night or to watch the film on telly. I love the story it tells that think about it and you will come out on top. a valuable lesson. I am happy to read this over and over again.
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Axel Scheffler is an acclaimed illustrator, animator and more recently author of children's books. He was born in Hamburg in 1957 and moved to England in 1982 in order to study illustration at the Bath Academy of Art. He then worked for a variet...

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