Summary
A very witty mouse goes for a walk through the forest. Through a series of events that happens while coming in contact with various predators, the mouse is clever enough to leave each one unharmed.
Summary of Professional Reviews
Horn Book Guide summarizes this story stating it is about a small mouse who outsmarts his animal predators with made-up tales of his supposedly good friend the gruffalo, a creature with "knobbly knees, and turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose." When a gruffalo does appear, the mouse is surprised but uses his wiles to outwit the beast as well.
My Review
This story is very humorous with a twist ending. Throughout the story, you see a mouse outwitting predators by talking about his made-up good friend, "the Gruffalo." You don't really know what to expect will happen when he actually comes in contact with "the Gruffalo," but Donaldson really makes this story very clever. It is also very pleasing with the illustrations being friendly watercolor pictures.
This book would be useful when teaching...
students not to feel small. This story shows students that no matter how small (like a mouse) you may think you are, you can conquer anything you put your mind to.