The Gruffalo

The Gruffalo (AKA The Gruffalo ) is a children's book published in 1999 by the British writer Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler was. It tells the story of a mouse who invents first only on her walk through the forest, a monster called " Gruffalo ", but actual meeting.

The German -language edition appeared also in 1999. Translated into numerous languages ​​The book became a bestseller and is now in the UK already as a modern children's classic. According to the book publishing recommendation is suitable for children aged four years.

Plot structure and history

The protagonist of this story is a mouse. Your walk through the forest can be divided into two sections. In the first section, the mouse encountered in their walk to various dangerous for her animals ( a fox, an owl and a snake ). These animals want to be hypocritical to invite the mouse around to his house, probably in order to eat there. However, the mouse does not accept any invitation by stating that it had already agreed with the " Gruffalo ". Since none of the animals knows the " Gruffalo ", the mouse must each describe this animal. With the description of fiery eyes, a ghastly paw or terrible claws and stating that the " Gruffalo " most like " fox spit ", " owl with frosting " or even eaten " snake puree ", the mouse sells each their opponents. In the second section the mouse actually hits the " Gruffalo " who wants to eat it too. However, the mouse tells the " Gruffalo ", that she was very feared by the other animals in the forest. This makes the " Gruffalo " curious, and so they walk together through the forest. They meet at the snake, the owl and the fox, but all looking for a short welcome the width. Finally, the mouse shocked the " Gruffalo " by pointing out that they prefer " Grüffelogrütze " verspeise, whereupon also the " Gruffalo " afraid of the mouse and takes to his heels. Finally, the mouse has peace and cracks nuts.

Reception

  • The F.A.Z. writes: "... the credulous monster is a fixed star in the children's cosmos, the kids sing the Grüffelolied and grind the big ones with the fine London Arts Theatre, where the Grüffelostück is to see, buy puzzles and posters and of course the successor book: , The Grüffelokind '. "
  • When ZDF states for the play: " ... A little lesson about fear and fearlessness and happiness of the little ones who come out great if they only use their imagination. "

Secondary literature, which originated with the " picture story with mythical character " is concerned, is not yet known. The " didactic- methodological notes" by Prof. Hans Gardener at storybook cinema output of the specialized A.-v. media publishing media nova represent a teaching aid and are aimed at teachers, the Gruffalo - picture story in the first or primary school as a " storybook cinema " want to use as well as for the values ​​of education and religious education.

Nevertheless deal in the scientific literature, among others, Hebblethwaite and McCarthy in their scientific, English-language collection of essays from 2007, Fear. Essays on the Meaning and Experience of Fear, with the gradual overcoming of fear in The Gruffalo. Beusch rated in his special education diploma thesis in 2007 at FHS Bern, published in 2008 under the title of anxiety in children with intellectual disabilities, in a similar context, the children's book The Gruffalo as a " clever monster story ... [ which ] shows that it is strongly influenced by a protector can be. " Brodocz / Llanque / Schaa put in the preface of their socio-political study of 2008, threats to democracy, deal with the story of The Gruffalo, and draw the parallel that " we need to make us pictures of the threats ( of democracy ) before them encounter ". ( Bibliographical details see references )

Awards

The book won awards including the Gold Award of the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize (1999) and the German Children and Youth Book Prize Heidelberg Leander ( 2005).

Expenditure

The book by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler has been translated into 26 languages ​​and is now sold over two million copies. As a sequel was published by the same author The Gruffalo 's Child, which was also illustrated by Axel Scheffler (German edition: The Grüffelokind ). The respective language editions were partially published as licensed editions of other publishers. In addition, accompanying books have been published, such as The Gruffalo Activity Book with games, puzzles and coloring pages (Eng. The Gruffalo puzzle book), as well as different languages ​​audiobook editions and media combinations. In addition, a separate English-language website The Gruffalo ( www.gruffalo.com ) was established.

English editions (selection)

  • The Gruffalo. Macmillan Children's Books, London 1999, ISBN 0-333-71093-2.
  • The Gruffalo. Westermann Verlag, Braunschweig, 2004, ISBN 3-14-127205-0. ( Output from Macmillan Children's Books, London, assumed)

German editions (selection)

  • The Gruffalo. Beltz & Gelberg, Weinheim 1999, ISBN 3-407-79230-1; 13th edition, 2008. ( Translated from English by Monika Osberghaus )
  • The Gruffalo. Beltz & Gelberg, Weinheim 2002, ISBN 3-407-79291-3; 5th edition 2008 (output as cardboard picture book, from the English by Monika Osberghaus ).
  • The Gruffalo and The Grüffelokind. With Gruffalo song in English and German. Hörcompany, Hamburg 2005, ISBN 3-935036-77-9. ( Audio book, 1 CD with booklet; spoken and sung by Ilona Schulz, from the English by Monika Osberghaus; Gruffalo song sung by Imelda Staunton, directed and concept: Angelika Schaack )
  • The Gruffalo. A picture book cinema after the picture book by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler and. Combination of media, publishing media nova, Landshut 2006/2007; Licensed edition of Beltz & Gelberg Publisher, Weinheim.
  • The Gruffalo. Book ( reprint ).
  • The Gruffalo. 24 color slides.
  • Hans Gartner: Didactic and methodological notes.
  • Templates to promote reading and creative further work.

Film

Producer Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures produced 2009 animated film based on the picture book for the BBC. Was directed by the two Germans Jakob Schuh and Max Lang. The animation, storyboards and set construction occur during the southern German Studio Soi. The voices in the original English version spoken by Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Robbie Coltrane and James Corden. In the German version of Christian elms, Heike Makatsch, Edgar Selge and Otto Sander speak. The German premiere was on December 24, 2010 at 10:40 clock on ZDF. 2011 The Gruffalo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

Christian Ulmen
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