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AIBU?

AIBU to ask why The Gruffalo is so very popular?

142 replies

octaviarose · 19/11/2012 21:39

I don't really understand why the Gruffalo is so very popular as a children's book, please someone explain the enormous appeal.

OP posts:
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SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/11/2012 21:41

It's brilliant! Though I love jd in general and I'd rate a number of her other books higher than grufflo.
And you can sing along to gruffalo soldier. Which always amuses me.

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SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 19/11/2012 21:41

Have you read any others? Snail and the whale is brilliant. Squash and a squeeze is good.

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MammaTJ · 19/11/2012 21:42

I do not know, ask my DS who is Gruffalo obsessed!! It is harmless though, so all good. Grin

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FreudiansSlipper · 19/11/2012 21:42

Shock

it's frigging fantastic the cartoon is too. Sadly ds does not want me to read it to him anymore :(

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SirBoobAlot · 19/11/2012 21:42

The Gruffalo is brilliant. It is a wonderful story :) Julia Donaldson is very talented, all of her books are a huge hit here.

DS adores Gruffalo though :)

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picnicbasketcase · 19/11/2012 21:43

The charming illustrations, sweet storyline, the rhyming helps young children who have just started learning to read, the comical aspect of a main character being small and vulnerable outwitting everyone around him... Stuff like that I expect.

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Bingdweller · 19/11/2012 21:43

The Gruffalo in Scots is fantastic!

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Glittertwins · 19/11/2012 21:44

I dread to think how much she has made from us ever since they were bought The Gruffalo by my oldest friend!

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sidandlinus · 19/11/2012 21:44

as well as book, we used to have the audio tape with imelda staunton - really brilliant stuff - DD loved it - worth looking out for.

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Welovecouscous · 19/11/2012 21:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Disappearing · 19/11/2012 21:45

The DVD version is fab, way better than the book, the music is so enchanting.

I would agree that the plot is a little weak though. My DC are totally disinterested in the book.

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TheMysteryCat · 19/11/2012 21:46

Beautiful writing! Jd understands language development, rhyme and rhythm for children, but also creates books that parents enjoy reading too. We've got all of her books. Tabby mctat is a big favourite

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CSIJanner · 19/11/2012 21:46

The stage show is fab, however it was totally trumped by the Hungry Caterpillar puppet show. Fantastic!

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Pancakeflipper · 19/11/2012 21:47

It's because the nut was good.

It's cos you can do fantastic voices and the mouse triumphs the Gruffalo. And you can spot the squirrel, frogs, woodpecker etc.

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SminkoPinko · 19/11/2012 21:47

I have always thought it is vastly overrated too. It's not bad but not a proper classic like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Green Eggs and Ham or The Tiger who came to Tea. I think Toddle Waddle is JD's finest work, personally.

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honeytea · 19/11/2012 21:47

It's a fantastic book! I read it with kids with very basic English skills and they just love the sound of the words and the pictures.

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derekthehamster · 19/11/2012 21:48

I always preffered 'Room on a broom'

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derekthehamster · 19/11/2012 21:48

preferred Blush

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StickEmWithThePointyEnd · 19/11/2012 21:48

Ds likes to shout "Woof" (I don't know what noise foxes make sorry Grin), "Twit Twohoo" "Hisssssss" "Squeak" and "Grrrrr" at the appropriate moment throughout the book so he can't actually hear the rest of the story.

And with the Gruffalo's Child he also gets to shout "Stick" and "Moon" a lot too. It makes him happy.

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millie30 · 19/11/2012 21:49

DS loves the Gruffalo, although his favourite by Julia Donaldson is The Smartest Giant In Town. I think it's the repetition and the illustrations that appeal to him.

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maddening · 19/11/2012 21:50

It's fab tis why :) I know it off by heart now as ds has a thing for grabbing the book or turning all the pages so it's best just to recite it :)

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GoldPlatedNineDoors · 19/11/2012 21:50

Because DD is so cute when she tries to kiss the Gruffalo's mouth. I love the rythym, and the illustrations, and the sheer ingeniousness of the Mouse.

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Glittertwins · 19/11/2012 21:50

A trip to Room on the Broom at the theatre is their Christmas present this year :)

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louisianablue2000 · 19/11/2012 21:51

YANBU. I do not get why JD is quite so dominant in picture books, there are others who are better. Not fussed about Axel Scheffler's illustration, I don't hate them but I don't adore them like some others.

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StickEmWithThePointyEnd · 19/11/2012 21:52

I struggle with some of her other books, like the Smartest Giant in town because when I talk, giraffe doesn't rhyme with scarf so it makes it sound odd and puts the rhythm out.

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