Fuse 8 n’ Kate: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, ill. Axel Scheffler

If we are to assume that the point of my podcast Fuse 8 n’ Kate is to shine a light on “classic” picture books and ascertain whether or not they deserve that designation, it’s a short walk to doing the same for books from other countries. What better then than to consider a picture book that is MASSIVELY successful in England, and only mildly recognized in the States. As a reminder, it was listener Rebekah Harris-Hughes who should receive full credit for suggesting today’s book. So thank you, Rebekah!

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Source Notes:

-If you follow no other links in these source notes, you MUST listen to the Deep In Bear Country: Episode 156. I have never heard such insightful discussions of bullying in children’s literature.

– Do check out the Dean Forest and it’s rather adorable Gruffalo Trail.

– Further information on checking out the Gruffalo statues at Kilmardinny Loch.

– You’ll have to pay YouTube to see the full film of this Best Animated Short nominee, but here are some clips:

– Kate would like me to specify that yes, there is a Dean McDermott. And he is married to Tori Spelling. That is all.

– Here is the frog that looks a bit perturbed.

– And this is Kate’s chosen tattoo. Look, you answer me this. How does this bird feel at this moment in time?

– It is possible that the Chinese folktale this book borrowed its idea from is the 1921 collection The Chinese Fairy Book. A bit vague on the origins there, though.

– The Gruffalo website is a bit of a trip. Watch out for its theme song. It surprises you if you don’t expect it.

– There really is a Gruffalo River Ride Adventure. Would I lie to you?

– And for those of you wondering, this is the tanuki. Awwww.

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate