Review: The Story of Growl

If you are wondering why these illustrations look familiar, then you are probably lucky enough to have read Judy Horacek’s fabulous collaboration with Mem Fox in Where is the Green Sheep.

This is the story of Growl, the little monster who lives on Eucalyptus Drive.

Growl likes to hop …
And skip …
And jump …
And run around her garden.
But most of all she likes to …

GROWL! 

She growls in the morning.
She growls in the afternoon.
She growls the whole day, right up until bedtime.
One day she is enjoying herself and growling away when she climbed up the neighbours’ fence and …

GROWL!

The neighbours’ are not at all impressed and call the police who make up a special rule and put up a sign. “No growling in Eucalyptus Drive”

Poor little Growl was the saddest she had ever been. She tried to run around her garden, but running is hard when you are trying not to cry.

Late one night when Growl was looking out her window,  she saw a strange man creeping across the neighbour’ garden. Before she knew what she was doing she let out a mighty …

GROWL!

The robber ran away and the neighbours’ were thrilled that Growl had stopped him. What do you think they did next? They called the police and said that the no growling rule was no longer necessary. “Good.” Said the policeman. “It was much too quiet in your neighbourhood.”

Such a lovely story with a very endearing little monster who just wants to do what makes her happy. This shall go to the ‘when I have kids’ pile.

I adored it.

Title: The Story of Growl
Author: Judy Horacek
Publisher: Puffin, $14.95 RRP
Publication Date: March 2010
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780143503101
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture book