Grobblechops

by Elizabeth Laird, Jenny Lucander (Illustrator)

Amir’s worried about the monster under the bed! What if it has huge
teeth and growls like a lion? What if it tries to eat him up? And what if the
monster has a mum and dad too? But Dad reassures Amir that if
the monster family comes to play, then Amir might just make a friend
instead.

A timeless tale of monsters under the bed, Grobblechops is based on a
story by the thirteenth-century poet, philosopher and Sufi mystic Rumi.

Genres: Picture Books, Monsters, Childrens, Family, Humor, Friendship, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2019

About the author

Laird was born in New Zealand in 1943, the fourth of five children. Her father was a ship's surgeon; both he and Laird's mother were Scottish. In 1945, Laird and her family returned to Britain and she grew up in South London, where she was educated at Croydon High School.
When she was eighteen, Laird started teaching at a school in Malaysia. She decided to continue her adventurous life, even though she was bitten by a poisonous snake and went down with typhoid.

After attending the university in Bristol, Laird began teaching English in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She and a friend would hire mules and go into remote areas in the holidays.

After a while at Edinburgh University, Laird worked in India for a summer. During travel, she met her future husband, David McDowall, who she said was very kind to her when she was airsick on a plane. The couple were married in 1975 and have two sons, Angus and William.

Laird has also visited Iraq and Lebanon. She claims to dislike snakes, porridge and being cold but enjoys very dark chocolate, Mozart, reading and playing the violin in the Iraq Symphony Orchestra.

She currently lives in Richmond, London with her husband.

Reviews

[Christi M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grobblechops is such a cute, adorable looking monster. How is it possible that anyone could be scared of him? But in this story Amir is dreading going to bed and finds more and more reasons to be scared. Thankfully, his dad is there to help calm those fears.

Thoughts:
One of my favorite things about reviewing picture books is the art work. I love to see the color choices, aesthetic style, and all the details the illustrator uses to bring a story to life. My only problem is that I don’t know anything about art so I find it difficult to truly describe in a review. But I am learning…slowly. In Grobblechops, each set of pages shows a full length picture. Each picture shows varied colors blending together in different sections of the page giving depth to the mood being experienced by Grobblechops, Amir or his father. The background collage of colors appears to be watercolor, but the forefront details, such as the bed and toys are more defined and is something different. I really like how there is so much to look at. If I’m not entranced by the background and how one color slowly fades to another, then there is the more detailed-forefront picture to admire, such as the dad’s pants. The dad in the story is wearing very detailed pants (and shirt) that must have been a lot of fun to draw.

In Grobblechops, Amir doesn’t want to go to bed. He’s scared because there might be a monster. But dad is there and he tells Amir that if a monster comes then he will come out and growl really loud to scare him. But Amir still isn’t sure and wonders what happens if the monster isn’t scared by the loud noise? So, the dad has to find a new way to calm Amir’s fears. But as soon as the dad comes up with a new way, Amir shoots it down with another “what if” situation. The story keeps going and going in this “what if” circle and eventually the monster’s dad and mom are involved along with Amir’s mother too. But dad knows just how to wind it down by telling Amir that he and the monster can play together while the adult parents sit down at the table and talk.

I always enjoy these type of picture bedtime books. They are fun and silly, but meaningful in helping to calm fears or bedtime concerns. The illustrations also really add to the story and give you a lot to enjoy as your read through it. I recommend this one if you are looking for a new bedtime book.

Rating: 5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC and Tiny Owl Publishing for the review copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew Rumi wrote deeply philosophical poems about love. I did not know he also wrote stories about monsters under the bed. (I think my biggest complaint about this charming little book is that there's little information about the original story, other than a brief mention of a work called Masnavi.)

It's time for bed, but Amir is afraid. What if a monster shows up? As his father continually tries to reassure him, Amir comes up with more what-ifs based on his father's responses. Subtly, as the exchange goes on, we can see the father gently steering things in a more friendly, reassuring direction, until at last Amir is ready to go to sleep, protected by the imaginative narrative that he and his father have built together.

The pictures are hectic and colourful, but I kind of like them. They illustrate the events in the book perfectly, and the humans and monsters alike come alive on the pages. Some illustrations had me smiling (like when Amir's mom heroically appears wielding a large umbrella), and others are just plain cute. (Watch Amir's teddy as the story progresses.)

I wasn't sure what to expect from this one--after all, it's billed as a story about monsters under the bed from a tale by a Sufi mystic--but I was pleasantly surprised. Amir's dad's handling of the situation is impressive, and it's nice to see the father take on the role of reassuring and comforting the child when they're experiencing a fear like this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tiny Owl for providing a digital ARC.

[CanadianReader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apparently based on a tale (or poem) from the Sufi poet Rumi, Grobblechops is a picture book that focuses on familiar nighttime fears of children. Amir’s dad is readying him for bed, but Amir worries that the monster (Grobblechops) may arrive through the night. For a while the two strategize about what Amir can do to get the monster to go away. Ultimately, the best solution is for Amir to share his toys with the creature.

The illustrations are serviceable, but not exceptional. Grobblechops, the monster, is more whimsical than truly frightening. (I don’t think he’d scare little kids. That’s a plus, I suppose.) Really, though, I feel fairly indifferent to this picture book—which appears to be intended to encourage kids to make friends with their fears.

Not being overly familiar with Rumi’s work, I wish a short note about sources had been included.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit worried about reading this to my three year old granddaughter, but she loved it. She is a monster fanatic and thought the monsters in this book were scary, but obviously not too scary for her. It's time for bed, but Amir is afraid. What if a monster shows up? His father tries to reassure him, but whatever he says, Amir comes up with another "what-if". His father is finally able to reassure and calm him so that he can fall asleep. The artwork in this book is amazing. It is a bit frenzied and abstract. The colours are darker and muted showing the moods of Amir and the monsters. I like the message of this story which is to make friends (or peace) with your fears. If you have a child who is afraid of monsters hiding in their room, this would be a great book to share with them. If you have a child like my granddaughter that just loves monsters, this would be a great book. I recommend this one. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Katharine Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the twist on the classic “monster under the bed” story - this could be used to teach children about inclusion and encouraging children to learn more about other people before judging them

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amir is adamant that he does not want to go to bed and he has a verbal altercation with his dad refusing to go. Dad discovers that his small son is afraid of the dark and even worse, afraid that a monster might come in the night and eat him. Oh my! The poor little guy is very scared.

Dad assures his son that if a monster appears so will he with a fryng pan to shake at him and ward him off. Amir then says:

"But what if the monster has a dad too?"

Dad says in that case he will call in more troops... mom with her huge umbrella and she will flap it right in the monster's face. That will certainly scare him off.

Amir keeps posing more what if questions until finally Dad gives hi m a scenario that appeases his fears and actually puts a smile on his face. Why not be kind and gracious, share your toys and make the monster your friend instead thinking him as your enemy.

Satisfied, Amir picks up his teddy, hops into bed and settles down for the night. Dad peeks his head back around the door and asks if Amir's monster has a name. Sleepily Amir replies that his name is Grobblechops and the he drifts off to Dreamland.

The illustrations are wonderful. They are full of action, detail and emotion. This book is perfect to share at bedtime if your little one is suffering from a bad case of "monsteritis". ( I just made that word up ) It is a lovely segue to spark a conversation about being afraid of the dark and dealing with scary, imagined monsters. It will calm fears and instill comfort and peace at bedtime. I highly recommend this book.

[Alice Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lovely book reinvents the complex of the 'monster under the bed' by turning the monster into something that exhibits human-like behaviour and teaches children that there is nothing to scared of. A young boy called Amir finds an unlikely friend in his monster, getting the comfort he needs when his parents argue with each other.

The monsters are quickly established as friendly and unthreatening, as we learn that both adults and children have them. This is shown through the monsters appearing in the pictures alongside the Amir's' parents when they are telling him that if the monsters come then they will protect him. As the reader we have to decide whether we think the monsters are just inside his head or whether they are real. This would be a great opportunity to pause the book and have a conversation with a KS1 class to hear their thoughts and make predictions.

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amir is scared of going to bed because he is worried there will be a monster in his bedroom. He tells his dad about the monster and all his ideas about how the problem could get worse. As he talks to his dad he reassures him and the problem gets smaller until it is not longer a fear anymore. A nice story to show children that sharing their worries can help them feel better about those things. A good read aloud story for KS1 children.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Rumi tale is transformed to 21st century monster under the bed story.

[Jacob Ogilby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book based off the work of Rumi, a timeless story that every child and parent can relate to. The back and forth dialogue between the parent and the child creates an really solid story and such a lovely ending.
It could also be used in other situations, teaching kids about the support that their parents/teachers can and should provide.

[Vidya Tiru · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts
Amir cannot sleep. Why? That monster, of course!

As Amir finds different reasons to not fall asleep alone in the dark(that monster is reason number one), his clever and patient dad finds an equal number of reasons for Amir to look past his fears and maybe even embrace them(and well, go to sleep!).

Gorgeous colorful illustrations that depict characters truer to their names; with motion and vivacity that brings life to them all – humans, monsters, and toys too. The details in the illustrations add so much to the story told with just the right amount of dialog for a picture book. For instance,

the Rumi poster is a nod to the teller of the original tale
Amir’s teddy bear is a delight to watch across the pages
all those tiny details that make it a normal, lived in home that cleverly yet subtly reflects who and where the characters are (the swim goggles on the bathroom floor, the toys strewn all around, the entryway of their home, the colorful rugs, the clothes they wear, the colors used)
and so much more for you to discover
I loved the fact that it was dad who saved the day, well, the night, here. While I am a mom myself, it is nice to see books that show the father as the wonderful caregiver that he is too.

Like the tales by Rumi, this book is sure to stand the test of time with so much to look for in the detailed illustrations; and the text is delightful as well to read alone or aloud!

I do wish the book had included the name of the original tale this story is based upon. Note it only mentions the collection of tales this is taken from. I was intrigued and tried to find the 13th century tale that inspired a monster under the bed retelling for today; but could not figure it out from what I checked of the original collection (English translations online) so far.

In Summary
A book to treasure for its tender twist on a typical tale of the monster under the bed and for its colorful, full-of-energy illustrations. And you turn the last page with lessons learned as well – how to embrace/conquer those monster-under-the-bed fears, and to look past appearances for you never know where and in who you find your next best friend!

Rating: 5/5
Reading Level: 4 – 7 years (and older too!)
Reread Level: 5/5

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley, Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC and Tiny Owl Publishing for the digital review copy and the opportunity to provide an honest review

[Natasha Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A monster under the bed? We've read the stories, we may have even had that fear when we were kids.

Amir is no different than I was as a kid (or any different than my kids). He doesn’t want to go to bed because he is scared because there might be a monster. Like most parents, his dad tells him that if a monster is there, then he will scare him away with his loud growls! (What a great dad). Although Amir's dad tries to reassure him, it doesn't work, as he remains worried that the monster will not be frightened by the scares. Amir's dad is persistent in reassuring his son that he has nothing to worry about.

I love how this story highlights a dad that won't give up, and does everything possible to make his son feel better. Without giving too much of the story away, the delightful ending was enough to make my kids realize that the monster under the bed wasn't a big deal!

The illustrations in the story were beautiful. While a bit dark for my usual taste, I think they were very complimentary to the story.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on a story written by Rumi way back in the thirteenth century, this one provides gentle reassurance that all will be well amid generous dollops of humor. Like so many youngsters, Amir is nervous about going to bed. After all, there might be monsters hiding under the bed. His father reassures him, and each time he raises a concern, he comes back with a response that should allay Amir's fears. Finally, the father suggests that while the monster's parents are talking to Amir's parents, he should share his toy cars with the little monster. Finally, Amir goes to sleep, but he informs his father of the name of the monster--Grobblechops. This is a very smart father who patiently listens to his son's fears and never downplays them. The book's colors are bright and visually appealing, and the book is fun to read aloud. After all, you never know when a monster or its parents might show up.

[Ruby Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming and endearing picture book. Laird takes inspiration from people around the world and this particular story comes from an Iranian scholar and poet, over 800 years ago. I absolutely love the fact that Laird incorporates BAME characters as the protagonists and places them in 'normal' situations, where their ethnicity is not even mentioned.
Furthermore, the concept of monsters under the bed is something which most children (and adults!) can easily relate. By putting a positive spin on the fear that many children experience, this book acts as a calming text. As well as this, the reader can assume that Laird has an underlying message that everyone should be given a chance and accepted for who they are; perhaps the monster was experiencing the xenophobia that many people in our society have felt.
I look forward to reading the other By Rumi books Laird has published.

[Charlotte Rowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely picture book about a little boy who is frightened about going to bed in case a monster comes. It is based on a tale from Masnavi - a work by the C13th poet, philosopher and Sufi mystic, Rumi. Sadly, this book doesn’t contain the extract it is based on which I think could really help extend the learning if used in a classroom context. The pictures in the book are amazing and would provide lots of opportunities for ‘book talk’. In a classroom, it could also be used as the basis for a PSHE lesson on fears and how we can overcome them by thinking creatively. It could also be used as the basis for some creative writing tasks, a role on the wall and picture analysis.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A young boy named Amir is afraid to go to bed. Not an auspicious start to a picture book -- it is an overdone trope. But then this book takes off! Amir's dad goes with Amir's fears and begins to assure him that Amir is more frightening than the monster. Then as Amir escalates the story, so does dad -- "I'll come running with my frying pan, and I'll shake it at him. That'll do the trick" Soon mom and dad are engaged with Grobblechop's parents "sit down for a coup of coffee to talk things over" with Grobblechop's mom and dad. The art by Finnish artist Jenny Lucander is fantastic. And the whole story comes from Rumi, the Sufi mystic. Brilliant, creative, touching. Don't miss this one.

[Lauren Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a take on the classic 'monster under the bed' tale, however in this book it is told with a twist. The twist looks at what happens if the monster actually just want to be your friend and play with your toys.
I think this could be a great book to help children overcome their fear of 'a monster in their room/under their bed' and can help them see that there is nothing to be scared off.
The important message put across by this book is that you shouldn't judge people/things by how they first appear/come across.

[Gladimore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous story of a boy and his fear of the monster under his bed, however, in this one he can come out from anywhere. His father has a funny response to every one of the boy's excuses for not wanting to go to bed and in the end he sees the monster as not a nightmare, but a funny looking friends who likes to play with his trucks. A unique story that teaches a common lesson and calms the fear of that typical monster under the bed story.
#Grobblechops #Netgalley

[Megan Bamforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartwarming book really takes the monster-under-the-bed style story in a different direction. I love that Amir befriends the monster, as it breaks stereotypes entirely by showing that anyone can be friends. Amir finds common ground with the monster and learns to be accepting rather than fearful. It is a very comforting story which I feel children would heavily relate to and could see themselves in Amir's shoes. This would be perfect to read aloud to children at any time of the school day.

[Bailey (Myveinsbleedink) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautiful. The illustrations were vibrant and fun. I love the title, when I read it to my 3 year old he thought it was funny. I think this book is well written and anyone and everyone with children can relate to a child not wanting to go to bed and coming up with any excuse to prolong the inevitable!
My son loved this book so I’m looking forward to having it become a part of our bedtime routine. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC for an honest review.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

On first reading, I enjoyed this book, but there are some disturbing, but thought provoking parts. The monsters that adults argue over, but that can be a real things for some children. It also has a strange vibe to it. I suspect a lot of children will accept it for what it is, a story about a boy and a monster, but there would be some great opportunities for inference and deduction work with older children. Beautifully illustrated.

[Juushika · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. A befriending of the monster under the bed, which is a productive, endearing process. It's the art that gets me. I love running background details like the teddy bear, and the monster design is a little doughy but certainly unique. But the human figures ... I always struggle with people in picture books, but this is the most off-putting I've ever found them, and combined with the skewed perspectives and proportions I found this the wrong kind of unsettling.

[Stephanie Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grobblechops is a great book about a young boy who can’t go to bed as he is afraid there might be a monster waiting in the dark. The book has great colourful detailed pictures that are eye catching and fun to explore. I like the book because it relates to children’s thoughts which pupils can relate to and learn from.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entrancing and whimsical art draws you right into this retelling of an excerpt from a Rumi poem. In Grobblechops, a child is afraid of going to bed for fear of a monster until he and his father discuss the matter through. Amir, the main character, and his family are pictured with brown skin and black hair.

Themes: Monsters; Peace

[Charlotte Hanlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the illustrations were very powerful in this story as, whenever the monster was used at the beginning, it was scary looking and always behind the boy to illustrate that he was all a figment of the boys imagination. However, as the story goes on, it shows the mister in a nicer light, more playful and harmless.

[BrookesEducationLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic there's a monster under my bed bedtime story with a twist, what if the monster just wants to be friends and play with your toy cars? Love this, Grobblechops - you're too cute to be a monster!

[Louise Hare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the collage style of messy illustrations. Also how the story just kept building and building on itself as Amir’s imagination progressed.
Classic storyline which reminded me of the famous John Lewis Christmas advert, where a child befriends Moz the monster under his bed.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

While I wasn't completely in love with the cover, I thought the rest of the book was interesting. The book features a common fear among children, so they can relate. Definitely a unique perspective though.

[Vee Hu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book report about Grobblechops. It was funny because Amir's dad said maybe you can play with Grobblechops while I'm arguing with your monster's dad and mom. The pictures are good. Reading this book can help if you're scared of monsters.

[Amanda [darjeeling_and_jade]]

Make friends with the monster under the bed! The illustrations were super colorful and fun. I like that you could maybe use this book to show kids that monsters under the bed aren’t as scary as they think they are.