Description
About the story
A clever little mouse takes a walk through the deep dark wood. When a hungry fox, owl and snake each invite him home for dinner, he invents a terrifying monster to scare them away – the Gruffalo! But what happens when the Gruffalo turns out to be real? Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s rhyming classic is a favourite in homes and classrooms everywhere, and it’s made for retelling.
What’s inside
- The Gruffalo – choose the sturdy Board Book, the classic Picture Book or the interactive Push, Pull & Slide Book (optional on Classic and Deluxe).
- Little: Gruffalo Palm Pal and Mouse Palm Pal (Aurora) – soft, pocket-sized and perfect for small hands.
- Classic: Gruffalo Palm Pal and Mouse Palm Pal (Aurora) plus Fox, Owl & Snake Finger Puppets (The Puppet Company) – every character in the story.
- Deluxe: Gruffalo Hand Puppet (Aurora, 35cm) with its own little Mouse finger puppet, plus Fox, Owl & Snake Finger Puppets – the full cast, with a Gruffalo big enough to make everyone jump.
Ways to play
- Read the story, then act it out – who will the mouse meet next?
- Join in with the rhymes and repeated lines: “There’s no such thing as a Gruffalo!”
- Describe the Gruffalo together – terrible tusks, knobbly knees and a poisonous wart.
- Build your own deep dark wood with cushions and blankets and go for a stroll.
Learning through play (Aistear)
- Communicating – rhyme, repetition, retelling and describing words.
- Exploring & Thinking – sequencing the story and predicting what comes next.
- Well-being – fine motor skills with puppets and finger play; being brave like the mouse.
- Identity & Belonging – sharing a much-loved story and taking turns in role-play.
Good to know
- Best for ages 2–6. Supervise children under 3.
- Bag: Fairtrade organic cotton – spot clean or cool gentle wash. Soft toys and puppets: surface wash only.
- The StorySack bag is not a toy. Please supervise play and keep the drawstring bag away from babies and young children.
