Alien alert!, 30 Nov 2008
My little boy got given this book for CHristmas last year and loves it so much that I could probably quote it all the way through, I've read it so often. Okay, there's not a strong story but what do you expect for a cartoon book for pre-schoolers? The rhymes are cute and the pictures are great - we love it, and so do all the kids at nursery!

Hilarious and silly., 30 Nov 2008
This book is very funny. My five year old boy loved reading the story and looking at all the illustrations of the different underpants.
A few days after reading the book I told him some pants were missing from the washing, to which he replied 'Mummy it's only a story not real!'
This book is great fun and I would recommend it to children young and old.

Brilliant!, 24 Nov 2008
My 6 year old won this in a raffle the other week, and she read it to me last night for the first time. Absolutely brilliant - I actually laughed a few times. Excellent book - and while my daughter is a bit older than the 'target' audience, she loves it as well. A very very good book. Rivals 'Room on the Broom' as a long-standing favourite!

Very funny and entertaining childrens book, 24 Nov 2008
My 3YO loves this book, and always has to check his underpants for aliens! Now, we're crying out for a "Sharks love Socks" sequel :-)

No storyline or substance, 11 Nov 2008
I bought this purely based on the strong reviews here. Thought it would be an amusing book for my 3 year old niece. Unfortunately I can't agree with the positive ratings at all - there is no storyline and so little content, it was over before it really started! I agree the illustrations are quite cute so a small toddler might enjoy looking at the pictures but I think you would have to make up your own story to make it funny or interesting. Even the rhyming phrases are quite weak. I also bought another book called Room on the Broom which is so much better.

"A gruffalo? What's a gruffalo?"
"A gruffalo! Why, didn't you know? He has terrible tusks, and terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws."

And so begins the story of a quick-witted mouse as he encounters a host of predators who seem to think he might make a tasty treat. As he ventures deeper into the deep dark wood, stumbling across a hungry fox, a not-so-wise owl, and a slimy snake, spinning ever-extraordinary yarns about the scary, scaly gruffalo, he quickly realises that the hungry beast he has been talking of isn't imaginary after all.

A witty, sly little story that wrings giggles from the belly of the reader, The Gruffalo is both stylish and hilarious, simple in its execution, as it plays skilfully on a child's fears and then shows that even the most threatening of monsters are not always as scary as they seem.

A combination of read-along-rhyme by Julia Donaldson and illustrations by Alex Sheffler which perfectly capture the atmosphere of the story, The Gruffalo is an excellent picture book for 3-5-year-olds to read along with their parents, and is certain to become something of a classic. --Susan Harrison

Alien alert!, 30 Nov 2008
My little boy got given this book for CHristmas last year and loves it so much that I could probably quote it all the way through, I've read it so often. Okay, there's not a strong story but what do you expect for a cartoon book for pre-schoolers? The rhymes are cute and the pictures are great - we love it, and so do all the kids at nursery!

Hilarious and silly., 30 Nov 2008
This book is very funny. My five year old boy loved reading the story and looking at all the illustrations of the different underpants.
A few days after reading the book I told him some pants were missing from the washing, to which he replied 'Mummy it's only a story not real!'
This book is great fun and I would recommend it to children young and old.

Brilliant!, 24 Nov 2008
My 6 year old won this in a raffle the other week, and she read it to me last night for the first time. Absolutely brilliant - I actually laughed a few times. Excellent book - and while my daughter is a bit older than the 'target' audience, she loves it as well. A very very good book. Rivals 'Room on the Broom' as a long-standing favourite!

Very funny and entertaining childrens book, 24 Nov 2008
My 3YO loves this book, and always has to check his underpants for aliens! Now, we're crying out for a "Sharks love Socks" sequel :-)

No storyline or substance, 11 Nov 2008
I bought this purely based on the strong reviews here. Thought it would be an amusing book for my 3 year old niece. Unfortunately I can't agree with the positive ratings at all - there is no storyline and so little content, it was over before it really started! I agree the illustrations are quite cute so a small toddler might enjoy looking at the pictures but I think you would have to make up your own story to make it funny or interesting. Even the rhyming phrases are quite weak. I also bought another book called Room on the Broom which is so much better.

Get it on your book shelf, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book along with the gruffalo's child for my 3 year old daughter. What a fantastic buy, she loved it, the animation and story telling is brilliant, not only for her but for me as the reader. I will be buying the other books in this collection shortly.

Amazing Book!!!!, 02 Oct 2008
This has to be one of THE best kids books I have read in a long time. Bought it for my nephew who won't really understand it at a year old but the rhyming is so clever. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!! :)

Gruffalo Greatness, 16 Sep 2008
A mouse of the forest uses his wit and cunning to escape the jaws of many passing predators, by saying that he is a friend with a supposedly made-up beast called `The Gruffalo'. As the book progresses through bigger predators, it transpires that the mouse was partially telling the truth in that there is such a thing as The Gruffalo, but it too wishes to eat the mouse...

The book main moral backbone is regarding differences, bullying and confrontation. It also helps with phonics, placing sounds to animals and wildlife knowledge such as habitats.

When read to the pupils in [Primary School], it became clear to me just how popular this book this truly is. There are great possibilities in using this as a backup read, in order to test pupil's memory and participation levels. As suggested at the placement, The Gruffalo books could also be adapted into a musical by higher years, as the book has a compositional layout (clear verses and choruses), whilst the different animals could have different relevant instruments assigned to them (flute for mouse, heavy drums and rock guitar for Gruffalo etc). This then leads to the possibility for a school production, with a stage adaptation that incorporates the entire school.

Brilliant Book, A MUST BUY, 13 Sep 2008
"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! Gruffalo! Gruffalo!"

How many times must I have read this book to the 1-2 year olds in the nursery I work at 100 , 200 times.

I've found the 1 year olds, right up to 4 years old love this story.

This book is really easy to read with a flowing rhythm to the words and great rhymes. Repetitive for the children, which they love, but retaining interest for the reader too.

Its so good I've just gone out and brought this book plus The Gruffalo Child for my just turning 3 year old nephew, I think he will love it too.

I can't sing this book's praises enough

THIS IS A MUST BUY for children aged 2 or upwards

The Gruffalo's Child
Night Monkey, Day Monkey (Book & CD)
Nanny McPhee [2005]
Spot's Treasure Hunt: Lift-the-flap Picture Book (Spot)Baby Busy Books: Colourful Chameleon (Baby Busy Books)
Over The Hedge [2006]
Madagascar [2005]

wonderful, 06 Aug 2008
It's great.

Buy it.

Your kids will love it.

Alien alert!, 30 Nov 2008
My little boy got given this book for CHristmas last year and loves it so much that I could probably quote it all the way through, I've read it so often. Okay, there's not a strong story but what do you expect for a cartoon book for pre-schoolers? The rhymes are cute and the pictures are great - we love it, and so do all the kids at nursery!

Hilarious and silly., 30 Nov 2008
This book is very funny. My five year old boy loved reading the story and looking at all the illustrations of the different underpants.
A few days after reading the book I told him some pants were missing from the washing, to which he replied 'Mummy it's only a story not real!'
This book is great fun and I would recommend it to children young and old.

Brilliant!, 24 Nov 2008
My 6 year old won this in a raffle the other week, and she read it to me last night for the first time. Absolutely brilliant - I actually laughed a few times. Excellent book - and while my daughter is a bit older than the 'target' audience, she loves it as well. A very very good book. Rivals 'Room on the Broom' as a long-standing favourite!

Very funny and entertaining childrens book, 24 Nov 2008
My 3YO loves this book, and always has to check his underpants for aliens! Now, we're crying out for a "Sharks love Socks" sequel :-)

No storyline or substance, 11 Nov 2008
I bought this purely based on the strong reviews here. Thought it would be an amusing book for my 3 year old niece. Unfortunately I can't agree with the positive ratings at all - there is no storyline and so little content, it was over before it really started! I agree the illustrations are quite cute so a small toddler might enjoy looking at the pictures but I think you would have to make up your own story to make it funny or interesting. Even the rhyming phrases are quite weak. I also bought another book called Room on the Broom which is so much better.

Get it on your book shelf, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book along with the gruffalo's child for my 3 year old daughter. What a fantastic buy, she loved it, the animation and story telling is brilliant, not only for her but for me as the reader. I will be buying the other books in this collection shortly.

Amazing Book!!!!, 02 Oct 2008
This has to be one of THE best kids books I have read in a long time. Bought it for my nephew who won't really understand it at a year old but the rhyming is so clever. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!! :)

Gruffalo Greatness, 16 Sep 2008
A mouse of the forest uses his wit and cunning to escape the jaws of many passing predators, by saying that he is a friend with a supposedly made-up beast called `The Gruffalo'. As the book progresses through bigger predators, it transpires that the mouse was partially telling the truth in that there is such a thing as The Gruffalo, but it too wishes to eat the mouse...

The book main moral backbone is regarding differences, bullying and confrontation. It also helps with phonics, placing sounds to animals and wildlife knowledge such as habitats.

When read to the pupils in [Primary School], it became clear to me just how popular this book this truly is. There are great possibilities in using this as a backup read, in order to test pupil's memory and participation levels. As suggested at the placement, The Gruffalo books could also be adapted into a musical by higher years, as the book has a compositional layout (clear verses and choruses), whilst the different animals could have different relevant instruments assigned to them (flute for mouse, heavy drums and rock guitar for Gruffalo etc). This then leads to the possibility for a school production, with a stage adaptation that incorporates the entire school.

Brilliant Book, A MUST BUY, 13 Sep 2008
"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! Gruffalo! Gruffalo!"

How many times must I have read this book to the 1-2 year olds in the nursery I work at 100 , 200 times.

I've found the 1 year olds, right up to 4 years old love this story.

This book is really easy to read with a flowing rhythm to the words and great rhymes. Repetitive for the children, which they love, but retaining interest for the reader too.

Its so good I've just gone out and brought this book plus The Gruffalo Child for my just turning 3 year old nephew, I think he will love it too.

I can't sing this book's praises enough

THIS IS A MUST BUY for children aged 2 or upwards

The Gruffalo's Child
Night Monkey, Day Monkey (Book & CD)
Nanny McPhee [2005]
Spot's Treasure Hunt: Lift-the-flap Picture Book (Spot)Baby Busy Books: Colourful Chameleon (Baby Busy Books)
Over The Hedge [2006]
Madagascar [2005]

wonderful, 06 Aug 2008
It's great.

Buy it.

Your kids will love it.

The Night Pirates, 18 Nov 2008
A fantastic book for girls. This book quoshes the pirate stereotype of boys. Beautifully worded, this book also has interesting pictures and although I said it is excellent for girls it was bought for my son originally, who at nearly 8 still keeps it as one of his favourites. My daughter steals a read whenever possible!

For wannabe pirates whether boys or girls, 24 Jul 2008
Favourite quote of the book: 'Give me my treasure back or I'll tell my mum'

This book is a firm favourite with my 5yo son - he loves the rhythm and the pace and most of all he loves the little girl pirates for NOT saying 'certainly not, you're only a boy'. I have bought lots of copies for little girls as an antidote to stories of soppy princesses, and had to make a complete Captain Patch costume for my son for World Book Day!

bedtime story night after night, 19 Jul 2008
We bought this along with 'pirate things to make and do' and again this was a great purchase. My 6 year old son chose this for his bedtime story night after night after night. He enjoyed reciting the first page or two himself. He loved the repetition and also the typography. This book has spurred my son on into wanting to read and the different typography has been helpful in recognising the word phrases.

absolutely captivating, 03 Jan 2008
This is one of my and my 4 year old son's favourite books. It tells the fantastic story of Tom and a team of girl pirates who steal the front of Tom's house and use it to disguise their ship so they can steal treasure from Captain Patch and his grown up pirates.

What sets this book apart is the wonderful illustrations and the text which not only has a gentle rhyme and repetition but flows across the page using different fonts and layouts to help tell the story. for instance when the pirates run away, so do the letters.....

This book will be treasured by any boy or girl and it is particularly refreshing to find a story about girls who are not pink princessese. Buy this book - you will not be disappointed!

the night pirates, 30 Dec 2007
I love the illustrations in this book and the story seems to start off well but i thought that the middle of the story was lacking a little.
Where was the big adventure? They said what it was but i feel they could have taken us into the adventure in just a little bit more detail.
Im afraid to say i was a bit disapointed in the book by itself although the book along with the cd is much better.

Alien alert!, 30 Nov 2008
My little boy got given this book for CHristmas last year and loves it so much that I could probably quote it all the way through, I've read it so often. Okay, there's not a strong story but what do you expect for a cartoon book for pre-schoolers? The rhymes are cute and the pictures are great - we love it, and so do all the kids at nursery!

Hilarious and silly., 30 Nov 2008
This book is very funny. My five year old boy loved reading the story and looking at all the illustrations of the different underpants.
A few days after reading the book I told him some pants were missing from the washing, to which he replied 'Mummy it's only a story not real!'
This book is great fun and I would recommend it to children young and old.

Brilliant!, 24 Nov 2008
My 6 year old won this in a raffle the other week, and she read it to me last night for the first time. Absolutely brilliant - I actually laughed a few times. Excellent book - and while my daughter is a bit older than the 'target' audience, she loves it as well. A very very good book. Rivals 'Room on the Broom' as a long-standing favourite!

Very funny and entertaining childrens book, 24 Nov 2008
My 3YO loves this book, and always has to check his underpants for aliens! Now, we're crying out for a "Sharks love Socks" sequel :-)

No storyline or substance, 11 Nov 2008
I bought this purely based on the strong reviews here. Thought it would be an amusing book for my 3 year old niece. Unfortunately I can't agree with the positive ratings at all - there is no storyline and so little content, it was over before it really started! I agree the illustrations are quite cute so a small toddler might enjoy looking at the pictures but I think you would have to make up your own story to make it funny or interesting. Even the rhyming phrases are quite weak. I also bought another book called Room on the Broom which is so much better.

Get it on your book shelf, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book along with the gruffalo's child for my 3 year old daughter. What a fantastic buy, she loved it, the animation and story telling is brilliant, not only for her but for me as the reader. I will be buying the other books in this collection shortly.

Amazing Book!!!!, 02 Oct 2008
This has to be one of THE best kids books I have read in a long time. Bought it for my nephew who won't really understand it at a year old but the rhyming is so clever. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!! :)

Gruffalo Greatness, 16 Sep 2008
A mouse of the forest uses his wit and cunning to escape the jaws of many passing predators, by saying that he is a friend with a supposedly made-up beast called `The Gruffalo'. As the book progresses through bigger predators, it transpires that the mouse was partially telling the truth in that there is such a thing as The Gruffalo, but it too wishes to eat the mouse...

The book main moral backbone is regarding differences, bullying and confrontation. It also helps with phonics, placing sounds to animals and wildlife knowledge such as habitats.

When read to the pupils in [Primary School], it became clear to me just how popular this book this truly is. There are great possibilities in using this as a backup read, in order to test pupil's memory and participation levels. As suggested at the placement, The Gruffalo books could also be adapted into a musical by higher years, as the book has a compositional layout (clear verses and choruses), whilst the different animals could have different relevant instruments assigned to them (flute for mouse, heavy drums and rock guitar for Gruffalo etc). This then leads to the possibility for a school production, with a stage adaptation that incorporates the entire school.

Brilliant Book, A MUST BUY, 13 Sep 2008
"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! Gruffalo! Gruffalo!"

How many times must I have read this book to the 1-2 year olds in the nursery I work at 100 , 200 times.

I've found the 1 year olds, right up to 4 years old love this story.

This book is really easy to read with a flowing rhythm to the words and great rhymes. Repetitive for the children, which they love, but retaining interest for the reader too.

Its so good I've just gone out and brought this book plus The Gruffalo Child for my just turning 3 year old nephew, I think he will love it too.

I can't sing this book's praises enough

THIS IS A MUST BUY for children aged 2 or upwards

The Gruffalo's Child
Night Monkey, Day Monkey (Book & CD)
Nanny McPhee [2005]
Spot's Treasure Hunt: Lift-the-flap Picture Book (Spot)Baby Busy Books: Colourful Chameleon (Baby Busy Books)
Over The Hedge [2006]
Madagascar [2005]

wonderful, 06 Aug 2008
It's great.

Buy it.

Your kids will love it.

The Night Pirates, 18 Nov 2008
A fantastic book for girls. This book quoshes the pirate stereotype of boys. Beautifully worded, this book also has interesting pictures and although I said it is excellent for girls it was bought for my son originally, who at nearly 8 still keeps it as one of his favourites. My daughter steals a read whenever possible!

For wannabe pirates whether boys or girls, 24 Jul 2008
Favourite quote of the book: 'Give me my treasure back or I'll tell my mum'

This book is a firm favourite with my 5yo son - he loves the rhythm and the pace and most of all he loves the little girl pirates for NOT saying 'certainly not, you're only a boy'. I have bought lots of copies for little girls as an antidote to stories of soppy princesses, and had to make a complete Captain Patch costume for my son for World Book Day!

bedtime story night after night, 19 Jul 2008
We bought this along with 'pirate things to make and do' and again this was a great purchase. My 6 year old son chose this for his bedtime story night after night after night. He enjoyed reciting the first page or two himself. He loved the repetition and also the typography. This book has spurred my son on into wanting to read and the different typography has been helpful in recognising the word phrases.

absolutely captivating, 03 Jan 2008
This is one of my and my 4 year old son's favourite books. It tells the fantastic story of Tom and a team of girl pirates who steal the front of Tom's house and use it to disguise their ship so they can steal treasure from Captain Patch and his grown up pirates.

What sets this book apart is the wonderful illustrations and the text which not only has a gentle rhyme and repetition but flows across the page using different fonts and layouts to help tell the story. for instance when the pirates run away, so do the letters.....

This book will be treasured by any boy or girl and it is particularly refreshing to find a story about girls who are not pink princessese. Buy this book - you will not be disappointed!

the night pirates, 30 Dec 2007
I love the illustrations in this book and the story seems to start off well but i thought that the middle of the story was lacking a little.
Where was the big adventure? They said what it was but i feel they could have taken us into the adventure in just a little bit more detail.
Im afraid to say i was a bit disapointed in the book by itself although the book along with the cd is much better.

Fabulous, 03 Nov 2008
This has been one of our little boy's favourite few books for about a year now. He's just over 2 and 1/2 now and there is no sign of him tiring of it yet. Just wonderful.

Never get tired!, 19 Oct 2008
My daughter has loved this book from the age of two, she is now four and still asks for it again and again.

Brilliant, 30 Jul 2008
My 2 year old daughter loves all of these books - very imaginative stories - great illustrations - pages contain lots of detail she really enjoys.

Top marks!, 07 Jul 2008
My daughter who is not yet two just loves this book, she finds it hard to put down and wants to read it over and over (luckily for us, Mummy and Daddy enjoy it too)
The only mistake I made though was buying the paperback version first (I didn't see the board one was available at the time) so if you are buying for smaller hands and fingers then I would suggest buying the board book first. I am going to and then put aside the paperback for when she is a bit older....as it is, this favorite isn't going to last very long in our home as my daughter would take it with her in the bath if she could!

Excellent storyline and illustrations. Top marks all round!!


Great Pre-school Reading, 06 Jul 2008
Absolutely fascinating book. My twin nieces have enjoyed this from the age of three, when it was first bought for them until now, at the ripe old age of 4 years.
They love the story, the illustrations and love telling Mum & Dad what is going to happen on the next page before it is turned over !!!
This book was well worth the cost and has been excellent in every way. Highly recommended for your toddler.

Alien alert!, 30 Nov 2008
My little boy got given this book for CHristmas last year and loves it so much that I could probably quote it all the way through, I've read it so often. Okay, there's not a strong story but what do you expect for a cartoon book for pre-schoolers? The rhymes are cute and the pictures are great - we love it, and so do all the kids at nursery!

Hilarious and silly., 30 Nov 2008
This book is very funny. My five year old boy loved reading the story and looking at all the illustrations of the different underpants.
A few days after reading the book I told him some pants were missing from the washing, to which he replied 'Mummy it's only a story not real!'
This book is great fun and I would recommend it to children young and old.

Brilliant!, 24 Nov 2008
My 6 year old won this in a raffle the other week, and she read it to me last night for the first time. Absolutely brilliant - I actually laughed a few times. Excellent book - and while my daughter is a bit older than the 'target' audience, she loves it as well. A very very good book. Rivals 'Room on the Broom' as a long-standing favourite!

Very funny and entertaining childrens book, 24 Nov 2008
My 3YO loves this book, and always has to check his underpants for aliens! Now, we're crying out for a "Sharks love Socks" sequel :-)

No storyline or substance, 11 Nov 2008
I bought this purely based on the strong reviews here. Thought it would be an amusing book for my 3 year old niece. Unfortunately I can't agree with the positive ratings at all - there is no storyline and so little content, it was over before it really started! I agree the illustrations are quite cute so a small toddler might enjoy looking at the pictures but I think you would have to make up your own story to make it funny or interesting. Even the rhyming phrases are quite weak. I also bought another book called Room on the Broom which is so much better.

Get it on your book shelf, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book along with the gruffalo's child for my 3 year old daughter. What a fantastic buy, she loved it, the animation and story telling is brilliant, not only for her but for me as the reader. I will be buying the other books in this collection shortly.

Amazing Book!!!!, 02 Oct 2008
This has to be one of THE best kids books I have read in a long time. Bought it for my nephew who won't really understand it at a year old but the rhyming is so clever. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!! :)

Gruffalo Greatness, 16 Sep 2008
A mouse of the forest uses his wit and cunning to escape the jaws of many passing predators, by saying that he is a friend with a supposedly made-up beast called `The Gruffalo'. As the book progresses through bigger predators, it transpires that the mouse was partially telling the truth in that there is such a thing as The Gruffalo, but it too wishes to eat the mouse...

The book main moral backbone is regarding differences, bullying and confrontation. It also helps with phonics, placing sounds to animals and wildlife knowledge such as habitats.

When read to the pupils in [Primary School], it became clear to me just how popular this book this truly is. There are great possibilities in using this as a backup read, in order to test pupil's memory and participation levels. As suggested at the placement, The Gruffalo books could also be adapted into a musical by higher years, as the book has a compositional layout (clear verses and choruses), whilst the different animals could have different relevant instruments assigned to them (flute for mouse, heavy drums and rock guitar for Gruffalo etc). This then leads to the possibility for a school production, with a stage adaptation that incorporates the entire school.

Brilliant Book, A MUST BUY, 13 Sep 2008
"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! Gruffalo! Gruffalo!"

How many times must I have read this book to the 1-2 year olds in the nursery I work at 100 , 200 times.

I've found the 1 year olds, right up to 4 years old love this story.

This book is really easy to read with a flowing rhythm to the words and great rhymes. Repetitive for the children, which they love, but retaining interest for the reader too.

Its so good I've just gone out and brought this book plus The Gruffalo Child for my just turning 3 year old nephew, I think he will love it too.

I can't sing this book's praises enough

THIS IS A MUST BUY for children aged 2 or upwards

The Gruffalo's Child
Night Monkey, Day Monkey (Book & CD)
Nanny McPhee [2005]
Spot's Treasure Hunt: Lift-the-flap Picture Book (Spot)Baby Busy Books: Colourful Chameleon (Baby Busy Books)
Over The Hedge [2006]
Madagascar [2005]

wonderful, 06 Aug 2008
It's great.

Buy it.

Your kids will love it.

The Night Pirates, 18 Nov 2008
A fantastic book for girls. This book quoshes the pirate stereotype of boys. Beautifully worded, this book also has interesting pictures and although I said it is excellent for girls it was bought for my son originally, who at nearly 8 still keeps it as one of his favourites. My daughter steals a read whenever possible!

For wannabe pirates whether boys or girls, 24 Jul 2008
Favourite quote of the book: 'Give me my treasure back or I'll tell my mum'

This book is a firm favourite with my 5yo son - he loves the rhythm and the pace and most of all he loves the little girl pirates for NOT saying 'certainly not, you're only a boy'. I have bought lots of copies for little girls as an antidote to stories of soppy princesses, and had to make a complete Captain Patch costume for my son for World Book Day!

bedtime story night after night, 19 Jul 2008
We bought this along with 'pirate things to make and do' and again this was a great purchase. My 6 year old son chose this for his bedtime story night after night after night. He enjoyed reciting the first page or two himself. He loved the repetition and also the typography. This book has spurred my son on into wanting to read and the different typography has been helpful in recognising the word phrases.

absolutely captivating, 03 Jan 2008
This is one of my and my 4 year old son's favourite books. It tells the fantastic story of Tom and a team of girl pirates who steal the front of Tom's house and use it to disguise their ship so they can steal treasure from Captain Patch and his grown up pirates.

What sets this book apart is the wonderful illustrations and the text which not only has a gentle rhyme and repetition but flows across the page using different fonts and layouts to help tell the story. for instance when the pirates run away, so do the letters.....

This book will be treasured by any boy or girl and it is particularly refreshing to find a story about girls who are not pink princessese. Buy this book - you will not be disappointed!

the night pirates, 30 Dec 2007
I love the illustrations in this book and the story seems to start off well but i thought that the middle of the story was lacking a little.
Where was the big adventure? They said what it was but i feel they could have taken us into the adventure in just a little bit more detail.
Im afraid to say i was a bit disapointed in the book by itself although the book along with the cd is much better.

Fabulous, 03 Nov 2008
This has been one of our little boy's favourite few books for about a year now. He's just over 2 and 1/2 now and there is no sign of him tiring of it yet. Just wonderful.

Never get tired!, 19 Oct 2008
My daughter has loved this book from the age of two, she is now four and still asks for it again and again.

Brilliant, 30 Jul 2008
My 2 year old daughter loves all of these books - very imaginative stories - great illustrations - pages contain lots of detail she really enjoys.

Top marks!, 07 Jul 2008
My daughter who is not yet two just loves this book, she finds it hard to put down and wants to read it over and over (luckily for us, Mummy and Daddy enjoy it too)
The only mistake I made though was buying the paperback version first (I didn't see the board one was available at the time) so if you are buying for smaller hands and fingers then I would suggest buying the board book first. I am going to and then put aside the paperback for when she is a bit older....as it is, this favorite isn't going to last very long in our home as my daughter would take it with her in the bath if she could!

Excellent storyline and illustrations. Top marks all round!!


Great Pre-school Reading, 06 Jul 2008
Absolutely fascinating book. My twin nieces have enjoyed this from the age of three, when it was first bought for them until now, at the ripe old age of 4 years.
They love the story, the illustrations and love telling Mum & Dad what is going to happen on the next page before it is turned over !!!
This book was well worth the cost and has been excellent in every way. Highly recommended for your toddler.

This is the tale......., 22 Nov 2008
My 2 year old son and I adore this book. He requests it nightly, choosen from 2 huge shelves of books, with a smile from mummy as I don't tire of it either! The illustrations are beautifully drawn, accompanying the story perfectly. The tale rhymes nicely, although if read too quickly becomes a bit of a tongue twister which makes us both laugh. This book was originally recommended to me by a friend, and is now passed on enthusiastically to others. I would recommend the board book to even the youngest of children as the illustrations are lovely, with lots of things to point out and look for. We are just about to invest in our second copy as the original is looking a bit old and battered now! Enjoy!

Excellent Story, 20 Oct 2008
This is a fabulous story about being friends with and helping each other, no matter who or what you are! It stirs emotions when the whale gets into a pickle, but all turns out well ;) Everybody pitches in to help, and isn't that the way it should be. This book essentially teaches your child important values relating to real life, and is an absolute pleasure to read.

It's also about travel, with plenty of creatures and land/sea features to hold the interest of any fidgety child.

All wrapped up with delightful and colourful illustrations which are just packed with interest, not to mention the lovely rhyme in which the story is cleverly told.

Do your child a favour, and buy this book! Read it aloud to your child, and it will be an instant favourite, I'm sure. My 4-year-old loves it.

A must for any childs collection., 20 Sep 2008
My 8 year old daughter has had this book for many years along with Room on the Broom, Monkey Puzzle, Gruffalo etc. and I have to say that all of the books are brilliant (even a cynical 41 year old like me enjoys reading them repeatedly....to her of course). They are all cleverly written (in a rhyming style) and beautifully illustrated (with some repeat themes / characters popping up in various books - look out for them). I would strongly recommend buying this or Room on the Broom as an introduction to the world of Donaldson / Scheffler.

another crowd pleaser, 27 Jul 2008
Another crowd pleaser from the author and illustrator of The Gruffalo and Room on a Broom. My kids love these books. They don't ever get tired of hearing them, which is why this gets four stars. It doesn't get five because I don't like it at all. If you're looking for funny rhyming books with great illustrations I highly recommend the work of Lynley Dodd whose prolific output includes Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy and Slinky Malinky.

What I find most annoying about reading this book out loud is the fact that the words are squeezed to fit the fact that this is a rhyming story. The sentences just don't work, and yet the rhyme is so appealing for children that it is both memorable and immensely popular. The illustrations are good and there is lots of detail to talk about which keeps them amused and very engaged with the story.

So, great for kids, not for me.

This is a tale of a tiny snail..., 21 Jul 2008
I don't normally write reviews (laziness really!) but for this book I make an exception. My 16 month old LOVES this book. I thought he'd be a bit young for the lengthy story, but not at all, he can't get enough of it!! 4 times in a 2hour period yesterday!! Maybe that's a bad thing!? Illustrations are beautiful & the story is simple yet wonderful... it's probably my favourite book too!

Alien alert!, 30 Nov 2008
My little boy got given this book for CHristmas last year and loves it so much that I could probably quote it all the way through, I've read it so often. Okay, there's not a strong story but what do you expect for a cartoon book for pre-schoolers? The rhymes are cute and the pictures are great - we love it, and so do all the kids at nursery!

Hilarious and silly., 30 Nov 2008
This book is very funny. My five year old boy loved reading the story and looking at all the illustrations of the different underpants.
A few days after reading the book I told him some pants were missing from the washing, to which he replied 'Mummy it's only a story not real!'
This book is great fun and I would recommend it to children young and old.

Brilliant!, 24 Nov 2008
My 6 year old won this in a raffle the other week, and she read it to me last night for the first time. Absolutely brilliant - I actually laughed a few times. Excellent book - and while my daughter is a bit older than the 'target' audience, she loves it as well. A very very good book. Rivals 'Room on the Broom' as a long-standing favourite!

Very funny and entertaining childrens book, 24 Nov 2008
My 3YO loves this book, and always has to check his underpants for aliens! Now, we're crying out for a "Sharks love Socks" sequel :-)

No storyline or substance, 11 Nov 2008
I bought this purely based on the strong reviews here. Thought it would be an amusing book for my 3 year old niece. Unfortunately I can't agree with the positive ratings at all - there is no storyline and so little content, it was over before it really started! I agree the illustrations are quite cute so a small toddler might enjoy looking at the pictures but I think you would have to make up your own story to make it funny or interesting. Even the rhyming phrases are quite weak. I also bought another book called Room on the Broom which is so much better.

Get it on your book shelf, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book along with the gruffalo's child for my 3 year old daughter. What a fantastic buy, she loved it, the animation and story telling is brilliant, not only for her but for me as the reader. I will be buying the other books in this collection shortly.

Amazing Book!!!!, 02 Oct 2008
This has to be one of THE best kids books I have read in a long time. Bought it for my nephew who won't really understand it at a year old but the rhyming is so clever. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!! :)

Gruffalo Greatness, 16 Sep 2008
A mouse of the forest uses his wit and cunning to escape the jaws of many passing predators, by saying that he is a friend with a supposedly made-up beast called `The Gruffalo'. As the book progresses through bigger predators, it transpires that the mouse was partially telling the truth in that there is such a thing as The Gruffalo, but it too wishes to eat the mouse...

The book main moral backbone is regarding differences, bullying and confrontation. It also helps with phonics, placing sounds to animals and wildlife knowledge such as habitats.

When read to the pupils in [Primary School], it became clear to me just how popular this book this truly is. There are great possibilities in using this as a backup read, in order to test pupil's memory and participation levels. As suggested at the placement, The Gruffalo books could also be adapted into a musical by higher years, as the book has a compositional layout (clear verses and choruses), whilst the different animals could have different relevant instruments assigned to them (flute for mouse, heavy drums and rock guitar for Gruffalo etc). This then leads to the possibility for a school production, with a stage adaptation that incorporates the entire school.

Brilliant Book, A MUST BUY, 13 Sep 2008
"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! Gruffalo! Gruffalo!"

How many times must I have read this book to the 1-2 year olds in the nursery I work at 100 , 200 times.

I've found the 1 year olds, right up to 4 years old love this story.

This book is really easy to read with a flowing rhythm to the words and great rhymes. Repetitive for the children, which they love, but retaining interest for the reader too.

Its so good I've just gone out and brought this book plus The Gruffalo Child for my just turning 3 year old nephew, I think he will love it too.

I can't sing this book's praises enough

THIS IS A MUST BUY for children aged 2 or upwards

The Gruffalo's Child
Night Monkey, Day Monkey (Book & CD)
Nanny McPhee [2005]
Spot's Treasure Hunt: Lift-the-flap Picture Book (Spot)Baby Busy Books: Colourful Chameleon (Baby Busy Books)
Over The Hedge [2006]
Madagascar [2005]

wonderful, 06 Aug 2008
It's great.

Buy it.

Your kids will love it.

The Night Pirates, 18 Nov 2008
A fantastic book for girls. This book quoshes the pirate stereotype of boys. Beautifully worded, this book also has interesting pictures and although I said it is excellent for girls it was bought for my son originally, who at nearly 8 still keeps it as one of his favourites. My daughter steals a read whenever possible!

For wannabe pirates whether boys or girls, 24 Jul 2008
Favourite quote of the book: 'Give me my treasure back or I'll tell my mum'

This book is a firm favourite with my 5yo son - he loves the rhythm and the pace and most of all he loves the little girl pirates for NOT saying 'certainly not, you're only a boy'. I have bought lots of copies for little girls as an antidote to stories of soppy princesses, and had to make a complete Captain Patch costume for my son for World Book Day!

bedtime story night after night, 19 Jul 2008
We bought this along with 'pirate things to make and do' and again this was a great purchase. My 6 year old son chose this for his bedtime story night after night after night. He enjoyed reciting the first page or two himself. He loved the repetition and also the typography. This book has spurred my son on into wanting to read and the different typography has been helpful in recognising the word phrases.

absolutely captivating, 03 Jan 2008
This is one of my and my 4 year old son's favourite books. It tells the fantastic story of Tom and a team of girl pirates who steal the front of Tom's house and use it to disguise their ship so they can steal treasure from Captain Patch and his grown up pirates.

What sets this book apart is the wonderful illustrations and the text which not only has a gentle rhyme and repetition but flows across the page using different fonts and layouts to help tell the story. for instance when the pirates run away, so do the letters.....

This book will be treasured by any boy or girl and it is particularly refreshing to find a story about girls who are not pink princessese. Buy this book - you will not be disappointed!

the night pirates, 30 Dec 2007
I love the illustrations in this book and the story seems to start off well but i thought that the middle of the story was lacking a little.
Where was the big adventure? They said what it was but i feel they could have taken us into the adventure in just a little bit more detail.
Im afraid to say i was a bit disapointed in the book by itself although the book along with the cd is much better.

Fabulous, 03 Nov 2008
This has been one of our little boy's favourite few books for about a year now. He's just over 2 and 1/2 now and there is no sign of him tiring of it yet. Just wonderful.

Never get tired!, 19 Oct 2008
My daughter has loved this book from the age of two, she is now four and still asks for it again and again.

Brilliant, 30 Jul 2008
My 2 year old daughter loves all of these books - very imaginative stories - great illustrations - pages contain lots of detail she really enjoys.

Top marks!, 07 Jul 2008
My daughter who is not yet two just loves this book, she finds it hard to put down and wants to read it over and over (luckily for us, Mummy and Daddy enjoy it too)
The only mistake I made though was buying the paperback version first (I didn't see the board one was available at the time) so if you are buying for smaller hands and fingers then I would suggest buying the board book first. I am going to and then put aside the paperback for when she is a bit older....as it is, this favorite isn't going to last very long in our home as my daughter would take it with her in the bath if she could!

Excellent storyline and illustrations. Top marks all round!!


Great Pre-school Reading, 06 Jul 2008
Absolutely fascinating book. My twin nieces have enjoyed this from the age of three, when it was first bought for them until now, at the ripe old age of 4 years.
They love the story, the illustrations and love telling Mum & Dad what is going to happen on the next page before it is turned over !!!
This book was well worth the cost and has been excellent in every way. Highly recommended for your toddler.

This is the tale......., 22 Nov 2008
My 2 year old son and I adore this book. He requests it nightly, choosen from 2 huge shelves of books, with a smile from mummy as I don't tire of it either! The illustrations are beautifully drawn, accompanying the story perfectly. The tale rhymes nicely, although if read too quickly becomes a bit of a tongue twister which makes us both laugh. This book was originally recommended to me by a friend, and is now passed on enthusiastically to others. I would recommend the board book to even the youngest of children as the illustrations are lovely, with lots of things to point out and look for. We are just about to invest in our second copy as the original is looking a bit old and battered now! Enjoy!

Excellent Story, 20 Oct 2008
This is a fabulous story about being friends with and helping each other, no matter who or what you are! It stirs emotions when the whale gets into a pickle, but all turns out well ;) Everybody pitches in to help, and isn't that the way it should be. This book essentially teaches your child important values relating to real life, and is an absolute pleasure to read.

It's also about travel, with plenty of creatures and land/sea features to hold the interest of any fidgety child.

All wrapped up with delightful and colourful illustrations which are just packed with interest, not to mention the lovely rhyme in which the story is cleverly told.

Do your child a favour, and buy this book! Read it aloud to your child, and it will be an instant favourite, I'm sure. My 4-year-old loves it.

A must for any childs collection., 20 Sep 2008
My 8 year old daughter has had this book for many years along with Room on the Broom, Monkey Puzzle, Gruffalo etc. and I have to say that all of the books are brilliant (even a cynical 41 year old like me enjoys reading them repeatedly....to her of course). They are all cleverly written (in a rhyming style) and beautifully illustrated (with some repeat themes / characters popping up in various books - look out for them). I would strongly recommend buying this or Room on the Broom as an introduction to the world of Donaldson / Scheffler.

another crowd pleaser, 27 Jul 2008
Another crowd pleaser from the author and illustrator of The Gruffalo and Room on a Broom. My kids love these books. They don't ever get tired of hearing them, which is why this gets four stars. It doesn't get five because I don't like it at all. If you're looking for funny rhyming books with great illustrations I highly recommend the work of Lynley Dodd whose prolific output includes Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy and Slinky Malinky.

What I find most annoying about reading this book out loud is the fact that the words are squeezed to fit the fact that this is a rhyming story. The sentences just don't work, and yet the rhyme is so appealing for children that it is both memorable and immensely popular. The illustrations are good and there is lots of detail to talk about which keeps them amused and very engaged with the story.

So, great for kids, not for me.

This is a tale of a tiny snail..., 21 Jul 2008
I don't normally write reviews (laziness really!) but for this book I make an exception. My 16 month old LOVES this book. I thought he'd be a bit young for the lengthy story, but not at all, he can't get enough of it!! 4 times in a 2hour period yesterday!! Maybe that's a bad thing!? Illustrations are beautiful & the story is simple yet wonderful... it's probably my favourite book too!

Entertaining and Informative!, 30 Nov 2008
If you ever wanted to know the real reason the dinosaurs died out, this is the book for you.

Brightly illustrated with wonderfully amusing drawings and a memorable rhyming text, this book tells the story of the battle between first the cavemen and the dinosaurs for pants supremacy, and then the battle between the dinosaurs themselves.

My two year old son absolutely adores this book and roars with laughter at all the ridiculous pictures. There is something inherently funny about the word pants, which always sends him into peals, but convulses him when added to pictures of very fierce monsters struggling to run about in very tight pants.

Superb!

Laugh out loud funny., 18 Nov 2008
My 6 year old has just managed to read this aloud to my 4 year old (just with a little help with the Dinosaur names) and they were both laughing hysterically at the fabulous story. There are lots of brilliantly hilarious illustrations in this very large paperback edition to keep young children amused too.

The front cover is great and the 'Dinosaurs Love Underpants' is in sparkly blue lettering. It is a gift giving quality edition.

There are 24 main stages of story with a 4 line self contained poem on every other page. They have great rhyming and rhythm and together they form a brilliant story explaining a funny theory of why the dinosaurs became extinct.

The poem starts:

Dinosaurs were all wiped out,
A long way back in history.
No one knows quite how or why,
Now this book solves the mystery....

It all began when cavemen,
Felt embarrassed in the nude,
So someone dreamt up underpants,
To stop them looking rude.

And so it goes on in a really entertaining story.

Highly recommended.

Colourful fun with pant-clad dinosaurs for preschoolers!, 26 Sep 2008
This book is based on same premise as the successful Aliens love underpants from the same author/illustrator duo, that small children will find the incongruity between everyday pants and imaginary creatures wearing them very funny, and of course they do. But whereas many follow up books are more of the same, this has a very different story which, in my opinion, is the stronger of the two (though no less silly).
Bright amusing illustrations of dinosaurs dressed in flamboyant and colourful pants accompany decent rhyming verse:
"Triceratops was happy, wearing pants on every horn,
Til Styracosaurus snatched them, and they ended up all torn."
Pants are so prized that squabbles erupt and it's dinosaur underwear anarchy as they fight to the death.
[If you are a prehistory stickler, please note that in this story leopard-skin-pant wearing cavemen co-exist with the Jurassic giants which is archaeologically incorrect and the fluffy pink knickers may not accurately reflect the fashions of the dinosaur era.]


Another Winner for 3yr olds, 14 Jul 2008
My daughter loved "Alien's love underpants" and while this isn't quite as good, it is entertaining and the illustrations are great. My 3 year old has a real sense of humour and finds these books hillarious

Alien alert!, 30 Nov 2008
My little boy got given this book for CHristmas last year and loves it so much that I could probably quote it all the way through, I've read it so often. Okay, there's not a strong story but what do you expect for a cartoon book for pre-schoolers? The rhymes are cute and the pictures are great - we love it, and so do all the kids at nursery!

Hilarious and silly., 30 Nov 2008
This book is very funny. My five year old boy loved reading the story and looking at all the illustrations of the different underpants.
A few days after reading the book I told him some pants were missing from the washing, to which he replied 'Mummy it's only a story not real!'
This book is great fun and I would recommend it to children young and old.

Brilliant!, 24 Nov 2008
My 6 year old won this in a raffle the other week, and she read it to me last night for the first time. Absolutely brilliant - I actually laughed a few times. Excellent book - and while my daughter is a bit older than the 'target' audience, she loves it as well. A very very good book. Rivals 'Room on the Broom' as a long-standing favourite!

Very funny and entertaining childrens book, 24 Nov 2008
My 3YO loves this book, and always has to check his underpants for aliens! Now, we're crying out for a "Sharks love Socks" sequel :-)

No storyline or substance, 11 Nov 2008
I bought this purely based on the strong reviews here. Thought it would be an amusing book for my 3 year old niece. Unfortunately I can't agree with the positive ratings at all - there is no storyline and so little content, it was over before it really started! I agree the illustrations are quite cute so a small toddler might enjoy looking at the pictures but I think you would have to make up your own story to make it funny or interesting. Even the rhyming phrases are quite weak. I also bought another book called Room on the Broom which is so much better.

Get it on your book shelf, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book along with the gruffalo's child for my 3 year old daughter. What a fantastic buy, she loved it, the animation and story telling is brilliant, not only for her but for me as the reader. I will be buying the other books in this collection shortly.

Amazing Book!!!!, 02 Oct 2008
This has to be one of THE best kids books I have read in a long time. Bought it for my nephew who won't really understand it at a year old but the rhyming is so clever. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!! :)

Gruffalo Greatness, 16 Sep 2008
A mouse of the forest uses his wit and cunning to escape the jaws of many passing predators, by saying that he is a friend with a supposedly made-up beast called `The Gruffalo'. As the book progresses through bigger predators, it transpires that the mouse was partially telling the truth in that there is such a thing as The Gruffalo, but it too wishes to eat the mouse...

The book main moral backbone is regarding differences, bullying and confrontation. It also helps with phonics, placing sounds to animals and wildlife knowledge such as habitats.

When read to the pupils in [Primary School], it became clear to me just how popular this book this truly is. There are great possibilities in using this as a backup read, in order to test pupil's memory and participation levels. As suggested at the placement, The Gruffalo books could also be adapted into a musical by higher years, as the book has a compositional layout (clear verses and choruses), whilst the different animals could have different relevant instruments assigned to them (flute for mouse, heavy drums and rock guitar for Gruffalo etc). This then leads to the possibility for a school production, with a stage adaptation that incorporates the entire school.

Brilliant Book, A MUST BUY, 13 Sep 2008
"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! Gruffalo! Gruffalo!"

How many times must I have read this book to the 1-2 year olds in the nursery I work at 100 , 200 times.

I've found the 1 year olds, right up to 4 years old love this story.

This book is really easy to read with a flowing rhythm to the words and great rhymes. Repetitive for the children, which they love, but retaining interest for the reader too.

Its so good I've just gone out and brought this book plus The Gruffalo Child for my just turning 3 year old nephew, I think he will love it too.

I can't sing this book's praises enough

THIS IS A MUST BUY for children aged 2 or upwards

The Gruffalo's Child
Night Monkey, Day Monkey (Book & CD)
Nanny McPhee [2005]
Spot's Treasure Hunt: Lift-the-flap Picture Book (Spot)Baby Busy Books: Colourful Chameleon (Baby Busy Books)
Over The Hedge [2006]
Madagascar [2005]

wonderful, 06 Aug 2008
It's great.

Buy it.

Your kids will love it.

The Night Pirates, 18 Nov 2008
A fantastic book for girls. This book quoshes the pirate stereotype of boys. Beautifully worded, this book also has interesting pictures and although I said it is excellent for girls it was bought for my son originally, who at nearly 8 still keeps it as one of his favourites. My daughter steals a read whenever possible!

For wannabe pirates whether boys or girls, 24 Jul 2008
Favourite quote of the book: 'Give me my treasure back or I'll tell my mum'

This book is a firm favourite with my 5yo son - he loves the rhythm and the pace and most of all he loves the little girl pirates for NOT saying 'certainly not, you're only a boy'. I have bought lots of copies for little girls as an antidote to stories of soppy princesses, and had to make a complete Captain Patch costume for my son for World Book Day!

bedtime story night after night, 19 Jul 2008
We bought this along with 'pirate things to make and do' and again this was a great purchase. My 6 year old son chose this for his bedtime story night after night after night. He enjoyed reciting the first page or two himself. He loved the repetition and also the typography. This book has spurred my son on into wanting to read and the different typography has been helpful in recognising the word phrases.

absolutely captivating, 03 Jan 2008
This is one of my and my 4 year old son's favourite books. It tells the fantastic story of Tom and a team of girl pirates who steal the front of Tom's house and use it to disguise their ship so they can steal treasure from Captain Patch and his grown up pirates.

What sets this book apart is the wonderful illustrations and the text which not only has a gentle rhyme and repetition but flows across the page using different fonts and layouts to help tell the story. for instance when the pirates run away, so do the letters.....

This book will be treasured by any boy or girl and it is particularly refreshing to find a story about girls who are not pink princessese. Buy this book - you will not be disappointed!

the night pirates, 30 Dec 2007
I love the illustrations in this book and the story seems to start off well but i thought that the middle of the story was lacking a little.
Where was the big adventure? They said what it was but i feel they could have taken us into the adventure in just a little bit more detail.
Im afraid to say i was a bit disapointed in the book by itself although the book along with the cd is much better.

Fabulous, 03 Nov 2008
This has been one of our little boy's favourite few books for about a year now. He's just over 2 and 1/2 now and there is no sign of him tiring of it yet. Just wonderful.

Never get tired!, 19 Oct 2008
My daughter has loved this book from the age of two, she is now four and still asks for it again and again.

Brilliant, 30 Jul 2008
My 2 year old daughter loves all of these books - very imaginative stories - great illustrations - pages contain lots of detail she really enjoys.

Top marks!, 07 Jul 2008
My daughter who is not yet two just loves this book, she finds it hard to put down and wants to read it over and over (luckily for us, Mummy and Daddy enjoy it too)
The only mistake I made though was buying the paperback version first (I didn't see the board one was available at the time) so if you are buying for smaller hands and fingers then I would suggest buying the board book first. I am going to and then put aside the paperback for when she is a bit older....as it is, this favorite isn't going to last very long in our home as my daughter would take it with her in the bath if she could!

Excellent storyline and illustrations. Top marks all round!!


Great Pre-school Reading, 06 Jul 2008
Absolutely fascinating book. My twin nieces have enjoyed this from the age of three, when it was first bought for them until now, at the ripe old age of 4 years.
They love the story, the illustrations and love telling Mum & Dad what is going to happen on the next page before it is turned over !!!
This book was well worth the cost and has been excellent in every way. Highly recommended for your toddler.

This is the tale......., 22 Nov 2008
My 2 year old son and I adore this book. He requests it nightly, choosen from 2 huge shelves of books, with a smile from mummy as I don't tire of it either! The illustrations are beautifully drawn, accompanying the story perfectly. The tale rhymes nicely, although if read too quickly becomes a bit of a tongue twister which makes us both laugh. This book was originally recommended to me by a friend, and is now passed on enthusiastically to others. I would recommend the board book to even the youngest of children as the illustrations are lovely, with lots of things to point out and look for. We are just about to invest in our second copy as the original is looking a bit old and battered now! Enjoy!

Excellent Story, 20 Oct 2008
This is a fabulous story about being friends with and helping each other, no matter who or what you are! It stirs emotions when the whale gets into a pickle, but all turns out well ;) Everybody pitches in to help, and isn't that the way it should be. This book essentially teaches your child important values relating to real life, and is an absolute pleasure to read.

It's also about travel, with plenty of creatures and land/sea features to hold the interest of any fidgety child.

All wrapped up with delightful and colourful illustrations which are just packed with interest, not to mention the lovely rhyme in which the story is cleverly told.

Do your child a favour, and buy this book! Read it aloud to your child, and it will be an instant favourite, I'm sure. My 4-year-old loves it.

A must for any childs collection., 20 Sep 2008
My 8 year old daughter has had this book for many years along with Room on the Broom, Monkey Puzzle, Gruffalo etc. and I have to say that all of the books are brilliant (even a cynical 41 year old like me enjoys reading them repeatedly....to her of course). They are all cleverly written (in a rhyming style) and beautifully illustrated (with some repeat themes / characters popping up in various books - look out for them). I would strongly recommend buying this or Room on the Broom as an introduction to the world of Donaldson / Scheffler.

another crowd pleaser, 27 Jul 2008
Another crowd pleaser from the author and illustrator of The Gruffalo and Room on a Broom. My kids love these books. They don't ever get tired of hearing them, which is why this gets four stars. It doesn't get five because I don't like it at all. If you're looking for funny rhyming books with great illustrations I highly recommend the work of Lynley Dodd whose prolific output includes Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy and Slinky Malinky.

What I find most annoying about reading this book out loud is the fact that the words are squeezed to fit the fact that this is a rhyming story. The sentences just don't work, and yet the rhyme is so appealing for children that it is both memorable and immensely popular. The illustrations are good and there is lots of detail to talk about which keeps them amused and very engaged with the story.

So, great for kids, not for me.

This is a tale of a tiny snail..., 21 Jul 2008
I don't normally write reviews (laziness really!) but for this book I make an exception. My 16 month old LOVES this book. I thought he'd be a bit young for the lengthy story, but not at all, he can't get enough of it!! 4 times in a 2hour period yesterday!! Maybe that's a bad thing!? Illustrations are beautiful & the story is simple yet wonderful... it's probably my favourite book too!

Entertaining and Informative!, 30 Nov 2008
If you ever wanted to know the real reason the dinosaurs died out, this is the book for you.

Brightly illustrated with wonderfully amusing drawings and a memorable rhyming text, this book tells the story of the battle between first the cavemen and the dinosaurs for pants supremacy, and then the battle between the dinosaurs themselves.

My two year old son absolutely adores this book and roars with laughter at all the ridiculous pictures. There is something inherently funny about the word pants, which always sends him into peals, but convulses him when added to pictures of very fierce monsters struggling to run about in very tight pants.

Superb!

Laugh out loud funny., 18 Nov 2008
My 6 year old has just managed to read this aloud to my 4 year old (just with a little help with the Dinosaur names) and they were both laughing hysterically at the fabulous story. There are lots of brilliantly hilarious illustrations in this very large paperback edition to keep young children amused too.

The front cover is great and the 'Dinosaurs Love Underpants' is in sparkly blue lettering. It is a gift giving quality edition.

There are 24 main stages of story with a 4 line self contained poem on every other page. They have great rhyming and rhythm and together they form a brilliant story explaining a funny theory of why the dinosaurs became extinct.

The poem starts:

Dinosaurs were all wiped out,
A long way back in history.
No one knows quite how or why,
Now this book solves the mystery....

It all began when cavemen,
Felt embarrassed in the nude,
So someone dreamt up underpants,
To stop them looking rude.

And so it goes on in a really entertaining story.

Highly recommended.

Colourful fun with pant-clad dinosaurs for preschoolers!, 26 Sep 2008
This book is based on same premise as the successful Aliens love underpants from the same author/illustrator duo, that small children will find the incongruity between everyday pants and imaginary creatures wearing them very funny, and of course they do. But whereas many follow up books are more of the same, this has a very different story which, in my opinion, is the stronger of the two (though no less silly).
Bright amusing illustrations of dinosaurs dressed in flamboyant and colourful pants accompany decent rhyming verse:
"Triceratops was happy, wearing pants on every horn,
Til Styracosaurus snatched them, and they ended up all torn."
Pants are so prized that squabbles erupt and it's dinosaur underwear anarchy as they fight to the death.
[If you are a prehistory stickler, please note that in this story leopard-skin-pant wearing cavemen co-exist with the Jurassic giants which is archaeologically incorrect and the fluffy pink knickers may not accurately reflect the fashions of the dinosaur era.]


Another Winner for 3yr olds, 14 Jul 2008
My daughter loved "Alien's love underpants" and while this isn't quite as good, it is entertaining and the illustrations are great. My 3 year old has a real sense of humour and finds these books hillarious

Brilliant, 30 Jul 2008
My 2 year old daughter loves all of these books - very imaginative stories - great illustrations - pages contain lots of detail she really enjoys.

Another Triumph from Julia Donaldson , 15 Jun 2008
What a fantastic read and great for all ages - although the Gruffalo is still the frim favourite in our house this book gives it a real run for its money..... highly recommend this for all 1-7 year olds. Also as an adult that enjoys doing the voices (badly!) its easy to read this book aloud again and again without getting tired of it.
Julia and Alex are a great team - brilliant story and brilliant pics.

The goat chewed the curtains and trod on the egg, then sat down to nibble a table leg!, 21 Apr 2008
I bought this for my son who is about to turn three and it has become a firm favourite. The fun rhyming text makes him laugh out loud, particularly "The goat chewed the curtains and trod on the egg, then sat down to nibble a table leg" and the bit where the cow does a jig on the table. The pictures are equally entertaining and my son will happily sit and study the book on his own and chat about what is going on in the nice clear pictures. There is nothing crude or scary about this book. It is simply a fun tale that teaches the child to appreciate what he or she has. My son loves this book, and if your child appreciates animals doing mad things, then yours will too.

Excellent and educational - for now and later, 03 Feb 2008
A Squash and a Squeeze is a great book, with a deeper meaning than most small-childrens' books. It's a good enough, simple story with rhyming verses and nice illustrations, that lilts along at just the right pace for my 16-month-old daughter to choose it again and again from her shelf of bedtime books.

But it also has a deeper, more philosophical message for her to pick up later. And that message is essentially 'be thankful for what you've got, because your life could be a lot worse'. This, of course, is not an easy message for small children to grasp, but one which I think most parents would be happy for them to understand at some later point in their childhood.

All in all, it's a cheerful, colourful and educational book with messages on different levels for children from toddler age to young school age, I'd suggest.

Lovely, 02 Feb 2008
The story itself is based on a Jewish folktale.
An old lady is complaining her house is too small, so asks the wiseman for help. Instead of tellling her to build an extension, he gives some interesting and unique advice!
By the end of the story, the old lady is delighted with her house and the space she has.
Wonderfully illustrated and with witty engaging rhyme.
Highly recommended as a bedtime/anytime reader. Just the right length to keep a youngster's attention with enough change and variation to keep interest.

Alien alert!, 30 Nov 2008
My little boy got given this book for CHristmas last year and loves it so much that I could probably quote it all the way through, I've read it so often. Okay, there's not a strong story but what do you expect for a cartoon book for pre-schoolers? The rhymes are cute and the pictures are great - we love it, and so do all the kids at nursery!

Hilarious and silly., 30 Nov 2008
This book is very funny. My five year old boy loved reading the story and looking at all the illustrations of the different underpants.
A few days after reading the book I told him some pants were missing from the washing, to which he replied 'Mummy it's only a story not real!'
This book is great fun and I would recommend it to children young and old.

Brilliant!, 24 Nov 2008
My 6 year old won this in a raffle the other week, and she read it to me last night for the first time. Absolutely brilliant - I actually laughed a few times. Excellent book - and while my daughter is a bit older than the 'target' audience, she loves it as well. A very very good book. Rivals 'Room on the Broom' as a long-standing favourite!

Very funny and entertaining childrens book, 24 Nov 2008
My 3YO loves this book, and always has to check his underpants for aliens! Now, we're crying out for a "Sharks love Socks" sequel :-)

No storyline or substance, 11 Nov 2008
I bought this purely based on the strong reviews here. Thought it would be an amusing book for my 3 year old niece. Unfortunately I can't agree with the positive ratings at all - there is no storyline and so little content, it was over before it really started! I agree the illustrations are quite cute so a small toddler might enjoy looking at the pictures but I think you would have to make up your own story to make it funny or interesting. Even the rhyming phrases are quite weak. I also bought another book called Room on the Broom which is so much better.

Get it on your book shelf, 05 Oct 2008
I bought this book along with the gruffalo's child for my 3 year old daughter. What a fantastic buy, she loved it, the animation and story telling is brilliant, not only for her but for me as the reader. I will be buying the other books in this collection shortly.

Amazing Book!!!!, 02 Oct 2008
This has to be one of THE best kids books I have read in a long time. Bought it for my nephew who won't really understand it at a year old but the rhyming is so clever. Buy it, you won't be disappointed!! :)

Gruffalo Greatness, 16 Sep 2008
A mouse of the forest uses his wit and cunning to escape the jaws of many passing predators, by saying that he is a friend with a supposedly made-up beast called `The Gruffalo'. As the book progresses through bigger predators, it transpires that the mouse was partially telling the truth in that there is such a thing as The Gruffalo, but it too wishes to eat the mouse...

The book main moral backbone is regarding differences, bullying and confrontation. It also helps with phonics, placing sounds to animals and wildlife knowledge such as habitats.

When read to the pupils in [Primary School], it became clear to me just how popular this book this truly is. There are great possibilities in using this as a backup read, in order to test pupil's memory and participation levels. As suggested at the placement, The Gruffalo books could also be adapted into a musical by higher years, as the book has a compositional layout (clear verses and choruses), whilst the different animals could have different relevant instruments assigned to them (flute for mouse, heavy drums and rock guitar for Gruffalo etc). This then leads to the possibility for a school production, with a stage adaptation that incorporates the entire school.

Brilliant Book, A MUST BUY, 13 Sep 2008
"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! Gruffalo! Gruffalo!"

How many times must I have read this book to the 1-2 year olds in the nursery I work at 100 , 200 times.

I've found the 1 year olds, right up to 4 years old love this story.

This book is really easy to read with a flowing rhythm to the words and great rhymes. Repetitive for the children, which they love, but retaining interest for the reader too.

Its so good I've just gone out and brought this book plus The Gruffalo Child for my just turning 3 year old nephew, I think he will love it too.

I can't sing this book's praises enough

THIS IS A MUST BUY for children aged 2 or upwards

The Gruffalo's Child
Night Monkey, Day Monkey (Book & CD)
Nanny McPhee [2005]
Spot's Treasure Hunt: Lift-the-flap Picture Book (Spot)Baby Busy Books: Colourful Chameleon (Baby Busy Books)
Over The Hedge [2006]
Madagascar [2005]

wonderful, 06 Aug 2008
It's great.

Buy it.

Your kids will love it.

The Night Pirates, 18 Nov 2008
A fantastic book for girls. This book quoshes the pirate stereotype of boys. Beautifully worded, this book also has interesting pictures and although I said it is excellent for girls it was bought for my son originally, who at nearly 8 still keeps it as one of his favourites. My daughter steals a read whenever possible!

For wannabe pirates whether boys or girls, 24 Jul 2008
Favourite quote of the book: 'Give me my treasure back or I'll tell my mum'

This book is a firm favourite with my 5yo son - he loves the rhythm and the pace and most of all he loves the little girl pirates for NOT saying 'certainly not, you're only a boy'. I have bought lots of copies for little girls as an antidote to stories of soppy princesses, and had to make a complete Captain Patch costume for my son for World Book Day!

bedtime story night after night, 19 Jul 2008
We bought this along with 'pirate things to make and do' and again this was a great purchase. My 6 year old son chose this for his bedtime story night after night after night. He enjoyed reciting the first page or two himself. He loved the repetition and also the typography. This book has spurred my son on into wanting to read and the different typography has been helpful in recognising the word phrases.

absolutely captivating, 03 Jan 2008
This is one of my and my 4 year old son's favourite books. It tells the fantastic story of Tom and a team of girl pirates who steal the front of Tom's house and use it to disguise their ship so they can steal treasure from Captain Patch and his grown up pirates.

What sets this book apart is the wonderful illustrations and the text which not only has a gentle rhyme and repetition but flows across the page using different fonts and layouts to help tell the story. for instance when the pirates run away, so do the letters.....

This book will be treasured by any boy or girl and it is particularly refreshing to find a story about girls who are not pink princessese. Buy this book - you will not be disappointed!

the night pirates, 30 Dec 2007
I love the illustrations in this book and the story seems to start off well but i thought that the middle of the story was lacking a little.
Where was the big adventure? They said what it was but i feel they could have taken us into the adventure in just a little bit more detail.
Im afraid to say i was a bit disapointed in the book by itself although the book along with the cd is much better.

Fabulous, 03 Nov 2008
This has been one of our little boy's favourite few books for about a year now. He's just over 2 and 1/2 now and there is no sign of him tiring of it yet. Just wonderful.

Never get tired!, 19 Oct 2008
My daughter has loved this book from the age of two, she is now four and still asks for it again and again.

Brilliant, 30 Jul 2008
My 2 year old daughter loves all of these books - very imaginative stories - great illustrations - pages contain lots of detail she really enjoys.

Top marks!, 07 Jul 2008
My daughter who is not yet two just loves this book, she finds it hard to put down and wants to read it over and over (luckily for us, Mummy and Daddy enjoy it too)
The only mistake I made though was buying the paperback version first (I didn't see the board one was available at the time) so if you are buying for smaller hands and fingers then I would suggest buying the board book first. I am going to and then put aside the paperback for when she is a bit older....as it is, this favorite isn't going to last very long in our home as my daughter would take it with her in the bath if she could!

Excellent storyline and illustrations. Top marks all round!!


Great Pre-school Reading, 06 Jul 2008
Absolutely fascinating book. My twin nieces have enjoyed this from the age of three, when it was first bought for them until now, at the ripe old age of 4 years.
They love the story, the illustrations and love telling Mum & Dad what is going to happen on the next page before it is turned over !!!
This book was well worth the cost and has been excellent in every way. Highly recommended for your toddler.

This is the tale......., 22 Nov 2008
My 2 year old son and I adore this book. He requests it nightly, choosen from 2 huge shelves of books, with a smile from mummy as I don't tire of it either! The illustrations are beautifully drawn, accompanying the story perfectly. The tale rhymes nicely, although if read too quickly becomes a bit of a tongue twister which makes us both laugh. This book was originally recommended to me by a friend, and is now passed on enthusiastically to others. I would recommend the board book to even the youngest of children as the illustrations are lovely, with lots of things to point out and look for. We are just about to invest in our second copy as the original is looking a bit old and battered now! Enjoy!

Excellent Story, 20 Oct 2008
This is a fabulous story about being friends with and helping each other, no matter who or what you are! It stirs emotions when the whale gets into a pickle, but all turns out well ;) Everybody pitches in to help, and isn't that the way it should be. This book essentially teaches your child important values relating to real life, and is an absolute pleasure to read.

It's also about travel, with plenty of creatures and land/sea features to hold the interest of any fidgety child.

All wrapped up with delightful and colourful illustrations which are just packed with interest, not to mention the lovely rhyme in which the story is cleverly told.

Do your child a favour, and buy this book! Read it aloud to your child, and it will be an instant favourite, I'm sure. My 4-year-old loves it.

A must for any childs collection., 20 Sep 2008
My 8 year old daughter has had this book for many years along with Room on the Broom, Monkey Puzzle, Gruffalo etc. and I have to say that all of the books are brilliant (even a cynical 41 year old like me enjoys reading them repeatedly....to her of course). They are all cleverly written (in a rhyming style) and beautifully illustrated (with some repeat themes / characters popping up in various books - look out for them). I would strongly recommend buying this or Room on the Broom as an introduction to the world of Donaldson / Scheffler.

another crowd pleaser, 27 Jul 2008
Another crowd pleaser from the author and illustrator of The Gruffalo and Room on a Broom. My kids love these books. They don't ever get tired of hearing them, which is why this gets four stars. It doesn't get five because I don't like it at all. If you're looking for funny rhyming books with great illustrations I highly recommend the work of Lynley Dodd whose prolific output includes Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy and Slinky Malinky.

What I find most annoying about reading this book out loud is the fact that the words are squeezed to fit the fact that this is a rhyming story. The sentences just don't work, and yet the rhyme is so appealing for children that it is both memorable and immensely popular. The illustrations are good and there is lots of detail to talk about which keeps them amused and very engaged with the story.

So, great for kids, not for me.

This is a tale of a tiny snail..., 21 Jul 2008
I don't normally write reviews (laziness really!) but for this book I make an exception. My 16 month old LOVES this book. I thought he'd be a bit young for the lengthy story, but not at all, he can't get enough of it!! 4 times in a 2hour period yesterday!! Maybe that's a bad thing!? Illustrations are beautiful & the story is simple yet wonderful... it's probably my favourite book too!

Entertaining and Informative!, 30 Nov 2008
If you ever wanted to know the real reason the dinosaurs died out, this is the book for you.

Brightly illustrated with wonderfully amusing drawings and a memorable rhyming text, this book tells the story of the battle between first the cavemen and the dinosaurs for pants supremacy, and then the battle between the dinosaurs themselves.

My two year old son absolutely adores this book and roars with laughter at all the ridiculous pictures. There is something inherently funny about the word pants, which always sends him into peals, but convulses him when added to pictures of very fierce monsters struggling to run about in very tight pants.

Superb!

Laugh out loud funny., 18 Nov 2008
My 6 year old has just managed to read this aloud to my 4 year old (just with a little help with the Dinosaur names) and they were both laughing hysterically at the fabulous story. There are lots of brilliantly hilarious illustrations in this very large paperback edition to keep young children amused too.

The front cover is great and the 'Dinosaurs Love Underpants' is in sparkly blue lettering. It is a gift giving quality edition.

There are 24 main stages of story with a 4 line self contained poem on every other page. They have great rhyming and rhythm and together they form a brilliant story explaining a funny theory of why the dinosaurs became extinct.

The poem starts:

Dinosaurs were all wiped out,
A long way back in history.
No one knows quite how or why,
Now this book solves the mystery....

It all began when cavemen,
Felt embarrassed in the nude,
So someone dreamt up underpants,
To stop them looking rude.

And so it goes on in a really entertaining story.

Highly recommended.

Colourful fun with pant-clad dinosaurs for preschoolers!, 26 Sep 2008
This book is based on same premise as the successful Aliens love underpants from the same author/illustrator duo, that small children will find the incongruity between everyday pants and imaginary creatures wearing them very funny, and of course they do. But whereas many follow up books are more of the same, this has a very different story which, in my opinion, is the stronger of the two (though no less silly).
Bright amusing illustrations of dinosaurs dressed in flamboyant and colourful pants accompany decent rhyming verse:
"Triceratops was happy, wearing pants on every horn,
Til Styracosaurus snatched them, and they ended up all torn."
Pants are so prized that squabbles erupt and it's dinosaur underwear anarchy as they fight to the death.
[If you are a prehistory stickler, please note that in this story leopard-skin-pant wearing cavemen co-exist with the Jurassic giants which is archaeologically incorrect and the fluffy pink knickers may not accurately reflect the fashions of the dinosaur era.]


Another Winner for 3yr olds, 14 Jul 2008
My daughter loved "Alien's love underpants" and while this isn't quite as good, it is entertaining and the illustrations are great. My 3 year old has a real sense of humour and finds these books hillarious

Brilliant, 30 Jul 2008
My 2 year old daughter loves all of these books - very imaginative stories - great illustrations - pages contain lots of detail she really enjoys.

Another Triumph from Julia Donaldson , 15 Jun 2008
What a fantastic read and great for all ages - although the Gruffalo is still the frim favourite in our house this book gives it a real run for its money..... highly recommend this for all 1-7 year olds. Also as an adult that enjoys doing the voices (badly!) its easy to read this book aloud again and again without getting tired of it.
Julia and Alex are a great team - brilliant story and brilliant pics.

The goat chewed the curtains and trod on the egg, then sat down to nibble a table leg!, 21 Apr 2008
I bought this for my son who is about to turn three and it has become a firm favourite. The fun rhyming text makes him laugh out loud, particularly "The goat chewed the curtains and trod on the egg, then sat down to nibble a table leg" and the bit where the cow does a jig on the table. The pictures are equally entertaining and my son will happily sit and study the book on his own and chat about what is going on in the nice clear pictures. There is nothing crude or scary about this book. It is simply a fun tale that teaches the child to appreciate what he or she has. My son loves this book, and if your child appreciates animals doing mad things, then yours will too.

Excellent and educational - for now and later, 03 Feb 2008
A Squash and a Squeeze is a great book, with a deeper meaning than most small-childrens' books. It's a good enough, simple story with rhyming verses and nice illustrations, that lilts along at just the right pace for my 16-month-old daughter to choose it again and again from her shelf of bedtime books.

But it also has a deeper, more philosophical message for her to pick up later.