The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
mat_tobin's review against another edition
5.0
Grobblechops is another wonderful addition to the Tiny Owl catalogue and fourth in the Tales of Rumi series. It marks a joyful collaboration between the highly-acclaimed children’s writer, Elizabeth Laird and Finnish illustrator, Jenny Lucander (whose subtle nod to the Moomins throughout it well-received). The story is based upon one of Rumi’s tales; a thirteenth-century Persian poet, philosopher and scholar whose teachings and writings are known throughout the world.
With a warm, tongue-in-cheek approach, Grobblechops explores the ‘monster under the bed’ story. Amir isn’t ready for bed yet: his fear of the dark is exacerbated by his fear of what lies under his bed and he’ll do all that he can to avoid sleeping alone in his bedroom. Luckily for Amir, he has a quick-witted, patient and empathetic father dad who takes the time to assure his son that for every problem there is a solution. As Amir shares his worries about the monster, his father retorts with a series of witty, and well-considered resolutions that gradually ask Amir to look beneath the surface of a stranger and try to stand in their shoes (or clawed feet when referring to Grobblechops!)
Laird’s narrative is well-paced and embraces that sense of traditional tale with its fable-like cumulative build up to a wise and warm finale in which our protagonist learns a valuable lesson about life and living. For a traditional tale, Laird is sparse with the dialogue leaving great creative space for Lucander to explore Amir’s rich imaginings of Grobblechops and the monster’s grotesquely-wonderful parents. Full of feathers and fangs and fur, Grobblechops is like something that has crawled out of The Dark Crystal set. Using a mixed-media collage approach which is then finished in photoshop, Lucander uses of perspective and positioning to heighten the chaotic mirroring of Amir’s anxiety.
Both my boys adored this book. Each time I read it with them, they grow closer to Grobblechops and his parents, delighting in his expressions and actions. It’s a lovely bedtime read which not only assures the reader but also leaves us reflecting upon how quick we are to judge others and the how empathy and understanding are key.
With a warm, tongue-in-cheek approach, Grobblechops explores the ‘monster under the bed’ story. Amir isn’t ready for bed yet: his fear of the dark is exacerbated by his fear of what lies under his bed and he’ll do all that he can to avoid sleeping alone in his bedroom. Luckily for Amir, he has a quick-witted, patient and empathetic father dad who takes the time to assure his son that for every problem there is a solution. As Amir shares his worries about the monster, his father retorts with a series of witty, and well-considered resolutions that gradually ask Amir to look beneath the surface of a stranger and try to stand in their shoes (or clawed feet when referring to Grobblechops!)
Laird’s narrative is well-paced and embraces that sense of traditional tale with its fable-like cumulative build up to a wise and warm finale in which our protagonist learns a valuable lesson about life and living. For a traditional tale, Laird is sparse with the dialogue leaving great creative space for Lucander to explore Amir’s rich imaginings of Grobblechops and the monster’s grotesquely-wonderful parents. Full of feathers and fangs and fur, Grobblechops is like something that has crawled out of The Dark Crystal set. Using a mixed-media collage approach which is then finished in photoshop, Lucander uses of perspective and positioning to heighten the chaotic mirroring of Amir’s anxiety.
Both my boys adored this book. Each time I read it with them, they grow closer to Grobblechops and his parents, delighting in his expressions and actions. It’s a lovely bedtime read which not only assures the reader but also leaves us reflecting upon how quick we are to judge others and the how empathy and understanding are key.
kittykult's review against another edition
4.0
Grobblechops is a children's book based on a 13th century poet named Rumi's work. A child is in fear of a monster under his bed, but his dad reassures him that the monster might be more friend than foe.
The art style is chaotic and collage-style in nature, and it really makes the story that much more fun. I think Grobblechops will be a fun bedtime story for kiddos who are into monsters (or maybe those who are afraid of monsters, to reassure them that there's nothing to be afraid of!), but no matter why you read it, it is sure to be great fun!
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
The art style is chaotic and collage-style in nature, and it really makes the story that much more fun. I think Grobblechops will be a fun bedtime story for kiddos who are into monsters (or maybe those who are afraid of monsters, to reassure them that there's nothing to be afraid of!), but no matter why you read it, it is sure to be great fun!
Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.
ellalouise99's review against another edition
3.0
Amir is scared of going to bed because he is worried there will be a monster in his bedroom. He tells his dad about the monster and all his ideas about how the problem could get worse. As he talks to his dad he reassures him and the problem gets smaller until it is not longer a fear anymore. A nice story to show children that sharing their worries can help them feel better about those things. A good read aloud story for KS1 children.
alicebennett's review against another edition
5.0
This lovely book reinvents the complex of the 'monster under the bed' by turning the monster into something that exhibits human-like behaviour and teaches children that there is nothing to scared of. A young boy called Amir finds an unlikely friend in his monster, getting the comfort he needs when his parents argue with each other.
The monsters are quickly established as friendly and unthreatening, as we learn that both adults and children have them. This is shown through the monsters appearing in the pictures alongside the Amir's' parents when they are telling him that if the monsters come then they will protect him. As the reader we have to decide whether we think the monsters are just inside his head or whether they are real. This would be a great opportunity to pause the book and have a conversation with a KS1 class to hear their thoughts and make predictions.
The monsters are quickly established as friendly and unthreatening, as we learn that both adults and children have them. This is shown through the monsters appearing in the pictures alongside the Amir's' parents when they are telling him that if the monsters come then they will protect him. As the reader we have to decide whether we think the monsters are just inside his head or whether they are real. This would be a great opportunity to pause the book and have a conversation with a KS1 class to hear their thoughts and make predictions.
mat_tobin's review
5.0
Grobblechops is another wonderful addition to the Tiny Owl catalogue and fourth in the Tales of Rumi series. It marks a joyful collaboration between the highly-acclaimed children’s writer, Elizabeth Laird and Finnish illustrator, Jenny Lucander (whose subtle nod to the Moomins throughout it well-received). The story is based upon one of Rumi’s tales; a thirteenth-century Persian poet, philosopher and scholar whose teachings and writings are known throughout the world.
With a warm, tongue-in-cheek approach, Grobblechops explores the ‘monster under the bed’ story. Amir isn’t ready for bed yet: his fear of the dark is exacerbated by his fear of what lies under his bed and he’ll do all that he can to avoid sleeping alone in his bedroom. Luckily for Amir, he has a quick-witted, patient and empathetic father dad who takes the time to assure his son that for every problem there is a solution. As Amir shares his worries about the monster, his father retorts with a series of witty, and well-considered resolutions that gradually ask Amir to look beneath the surface of a stranger and try to stand in their shoes (or clawed feet when referring to Grobblechops!)
Laird’s narrative is well-paced and embraces that sense of traditional tale with its fable-like cumulative build up to a wise and warm finale in which our protagonist learns a valuable lesson about life and living. For a traditional tale, Laird is sparse with the dialogue leaving great creative space for Lucander to explore Amir’s rich imaginings of Grobblechops and the monster’s grotesquely-wonderful parents. Full of feathers and fangs and fur, Grobblechops is like something that has crawled out of The Dark Crystal set. Using a mixed-media collage approach which is then finished in photoshop, Lucander uses of perspective and positioning to heighten the chaotic mirroring of Amir’s anxiety.
Both my boys adored this book. Each time I read it with them, they grow closer to Grobblechops and his parents, delighting in his expressions and actions. It’s a lovely bedtime read which not only assures the reader but also leaves us reflecting upon how quick we are to judge others and the how empathy and understanding are key.
With a warm, tongue-in-cheek approach, Grobblechops explores the ‘monster under the bed’ story. Amir isn’t ready for bed yet: his fear of the dark is exacerbated by his fear of what lies under his bed and he’ll do all that he can to avoid sleeping alone in his bedroom. Luckily for Amir, he has a quick-witted, patient and empathetic father dad who takes the time to assure his son that for every problem there is a solution. As Amir shares his worries about the monster, his father retorts with a series of witty, and well-considered resolutions that gradually ask Amir to look beneath the surface of a stranger and try to stand in their shoes (or clawed feet when referring to Grobblechops!)
Laird’s narrative is well-paced and embraces that sense of traditional tale with its fable-like cumulative build up to a wise and warm finale in which our protagonist learns a valuable lesson about life and living. For a traditional tale, Laird is sparse with the dialogue leaving great creative space for Lucander to explore Amir’s rich imaginings of Grobblechops and the monster’s grotesquely-wonderful parents. Full of feathers and fangs and fur, Grobblechops is like something that has crawled out of The Dark Crystal set. Using a mixed-media collage approach which is then finished in photoshop, Lucander uses of perspective and positioning to heighten the chaotic mirroring of Amir’s anxiety.
Both my boys adored this book. Each time I read it with them, they grow closer to Grobblechops and his parents, delighting in his expressions and actions. It’s a lovely bedtime read which not only assures the reader but also leaves us reflecting upon how quick we are to judge others and the how empathy and understanding are key.
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