The Gruffalo's Child is part of our Starts With a Story Collection, which includes more than 550 picture book companions based on high quality children’s literature that support you in delivering highly-engaging interactive read alouds with follow up activities. Learn more about this children’s book below! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
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SUMMARY
"The Gruffalo's Child" by Julia Donaldson is a delightful children's book that continues the magical tale of the Gruffalo. The Gruffalo's child, curious and brave, ventures into the deep dark woods to find the big bad mouse that her father warned her about. Along her journey, she encounters various forest animals who try to convince her that the mouse doesn't exist. Undeterred, she persists in her search until she finally comes face-to-face with the clever mouse. In a surprising turn of events, the mouse outwits the Gruffalo's child, scaring her away and reinforcing the power of imagination and wit. With rhythmic storytelling and Axel Scheffler's captivating illustrations, "The Gruffalo's Child" teaches children about courage, critical thinking, and the importance of family bonds. By the end of the story, the Gruffalo's child learns valuable lessons about bravery and the value of listening to one's parents.
 USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Our read aloud lesson plans for this picture book come with reading comprehension questions (with sample student responses), 30 writing prompts, teaching ideas for grammar skills, social emotional learning discussion ideas, and more. Check out our list below to get a sneak peek at some of the skills this resource teaches.
- Practice making inferences throughout the story and after reading.
- Discuss the author’s use of rhyme and rhythm in this book.
- Have students sequence the important events in the story. This is an important skill when it comes to retelling a story.
- Discuss the different adjectives used in the book.
- Teach students how contractions are used.
- Use this book to discuss a variety of emotions with students and how to manage them.
- Discuss what it means to persevere and why it is important.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30Â writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
This book is a must have for your school or classroom library. Your students are going to love completing these activities for the book and you will be impressed with how much they learn. You will want to read this book to your class every year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will love the similar books listed below, which can all be found in our free picture book list.
- The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
- Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers
- Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
