Mr. Gumpy's Outing

Mr. Gumpy

by John Burningham

When Mr. Gumpy decides to take a ride down the river, all the children and animals beg to join him on his excursion

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Fiction, Adventure, Summer

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bur...

Married to Helen Oxenbury They have one son and two daughters.

John Burningham was born in 1936 in Farnham, Surrey, and attended the alternative school, Summerhill. In 1954 he spent two years travelling through Italy, Yugoslavia and Israel, working at a variety of jobs.

From 1956-1959, he studied at the Central School of Art, after which he designed posters for London Transport and the British Transport Commission. He also spent a year on an animated puppet film in the Middle East. He then became a writer and illustrator of children's books, his first book, Borka: The Adventures of a Goose With No Feathers (1963) winning the Kate Greenaway Medal in 1963, an achievement he repeated with Mr Gumpy's Outing (1970).

Since then, he has written and illustrated many children's books. He is also a freelance designer of murals, exhibitions models, magazine illustrations and advertisements.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a simply sweet (and just oh so gently wonderfully humorously engaging) little sparkling and shining gem is John Burningham's Mr. Gumpy's Outing! For while Mr. Gumpy might indeed have a surname that tends to suggest he is perhaps a bit curmudgeonly (and really not all that affable, as Gumpy does look very very similar to Grumpy, and at first I indeed read the book title as being Mr. Grumpy's Outing), he actually is first and foremost an absolutely lovely and friendly soul with both truly immense patience and gentle humour, who although the various people and animals who have joined him on his boat-ride, on his outing, have not followed his very reasonable rules and demands and have thus caused his boat to tip and founder, takes all this in total stride (and after having all swum to shore and dried themselves in the hot sun, Mr. Gumpy not only invites everyone in for tea, but also extends an invitation to everyone, from the goat to the children, to join him on another boat ride). A lovely marriage of evocative text and expressively descriptive images, and yes, Mr. Gumpy's Outing is most definitely a more than worthy recipient of the 1972 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and very much highly recommended as a fun and wondrous little interlude that I for one wish I had encountered as a child.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Gumpy is taking his boat down the river when he meets so children who want to come along, he agrees as long as they don't squabble. Next he meets a rabbit who wants to come along, Mr Gumpy says she can as long as the rabbit agrees not to hop about. More animals wish to join in the fun and as you can imagine the conditions and good behaviour can't be kept up for long in such a confined space and the inevitable happens and the boats balance is upset. Mr Gumpy says never mind and they can go for a ride tomorrow, so they all go back to his tea. This final double page shows all the animals humans sitting around a long table having tea together. This was the high point of the book for my children who really enjoyed saying what each of the animals and humans where eating or drinking.

A lovely gentle read and an ideal bedtime story picture book.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could read this a hundred times. Gumpy sets out on an outing and keeps adding additional boaters to his adventure until the inevitable catastrophe occurs and the boat overturns. But it’s not really a catastrophe after all and everyone shakes off the water and promises to come for another outing soon.

[M.J. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great favourite when my son was small. John Burningham died just a few days ago, so thought I should honour his memory by listing some of his books we enjoyed - and read many, many times!

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mr. Gumpy goes out on the river one day, a series of passengers - two children, a rabbit, cat, dog, pig, sheep, some chickens, a calf and a goat - ask to join him on his outing. Our eponymous hero grants each request, with the proviso that each child or animal must behave. Although peaceful at first, Mr. Gumpy's crowded boat eventually overturns when its passengers forget their promise. Despite that fact, Mr. Gumpy invites them on an outing another day...

Originally published in the UK in 1970, Mr. Gumpy's Outing was awarded the Kate Greenaway Medal - named for celebrated illustrator Kate Greenaway, this medal is Britain's preeminent award for illustrations in a children's book - and is considered a modern classic in the picture-book category. Being more familiar with Burningham's more recent titles, I was surprised and charmed to find that the artwork here is a little bolder, with more use of color than in books like Picnic or Motor Miles . Overall I liked the effect of the illustrations, and also appreciated the use of language here, as Mr. Gumpy issues his strictures to his passengers. The children must not squabble, the pig must not muck about, the sheep must not bleat, and so on, introducing younger children to vocabulary that might otherwise be unfamiliar to them. Recommended to anyone looking for engaging stories for the picture-book set!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Mr. Gumpy's Outing although I'm not sure I thought it was anything particularly stand-out for the awards. The illustrations are very peaceful and warm, though, and it was a pleasing read.

I did have to laugh at myself, though, as my brain kept seeing the word as "gRumpy" on the cover so when I saw the first illustration of the smiling chap I had to do a double-take and saw my mistake ;-) It was a pleasant surprise to find that we went on an outing with someone decidedly un-grumpy! ;-)

When I first read it I thought, hmmm, there's not much of a consequence for anyone misbehaving when they were invited guests maybe they should have apologized. (I suppose falling out of the boat was one though it ended well.) But, perhaps Mr. Gumpy knew that little children and little animals are just not able to keep still that long and I appreciated that everyone could laugh and enjoy the mishap and a lovely spot of tea. Children are so often criticized simply for being young and carefree spirits--it was sweet to see Mr. Gumpy cherishing this aspect of childhood instead of berating it.

[Mehrin Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about Mr Gumpy who lives in a farm by the river. One day he decides to take a trip on his boat down the river. However, two children ask to join him, he agrees on the condition that they do not squabble. Then other animals like a rabbit, cat, dog, sheep, calf, chickens, goat and a pig all ask My Gumpy if they can go on the boat too. Kind Mr Gumpy agrees as long as they do not do what they are known for e.g. bleating, chasing, kicking, mucking about, etc. At first, the boat ride is calm, until the children squabble! The rabbit hops! The dog chases the cat! The goat kicks! and so on. Before you know it, the boat breaks and the animals all fall into the river. However, a patient Mr Gumpy decides to walk back and have tea with the animals before bed time.

A fabulous read, especially for the early years. I observed this book being read to a reception class where it was used meet the Early Learning Goals. Children’s Communication, Language and Literacy (CLL) skills were developed through role play, writing about the story, and discussions about what happened. The book was also used as a stimulus to introduce children to the concept of adding and taking away. The teacher used toy farm animals and a boat to generate mathematical thinking (Problem Solving Reasoning) through questioning, for example ‘how many animals on the boat if I add one more?’ In addition to this, the teacher’s utilised this book to aid children with their creative development (CD) and knowledge of the world (KUW) where they used different materials to make animal masks and discuss the textures.

A great book which can be used as a vehicle into many early years areas in a cross-curricular manner. Definitely worth reading as it not only educates, but children enjoy it too, making learning fun and enjoyable.

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet and with darling illustrations!

Ages: 3 - 7

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[Naz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to children in nursery and they enjoyed it so much. The children really enjoyed naming all the different animals that were going on the boat. We read the story by doing a role play where the children had different animal masks and they would enter the boat which we made out of a large cardboard. The story is about Mr Gumpy who allows all sorts of animals onto his boat and all is going smoothly and then, they all start to do the things he had so asked them not to do and they all end up in the water. But then they all walk home to tea. The book has Wonderful illustrations, rhythm, and just one of the best to read out loud to anyone over one.

[Chantal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very simple story for kids. Drawings could have been better. Still a great story for very young kids.

[CanadianReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This old chestnut never fails to please very young children. Mr. Gumpy lives in the English countryside near a very shallow river. When he decides to take a ride on his long flat-bottomed river boat one day, children, then one animal after another, request to ride along. Mr. Gumpy tolerantly cautions each animal one at a time, not to squabble or hop or kick or tease--whatever that animal most characteristically does when it's feeling rambunctious. Of course, it takes only one animal's heedlessness to upset the entire vessel. The good-natured Mr. Gumpy turns upset into opportunity: all can dry off and have tea together!

If you read this aloud, there are plenty of opportunities to introduce new vocabulary and idioms: squabble, bleat, and "muck about"--for example. As well, there are chances for young children to perform the actions of the animals--say: flapping one's wings or hopping.

My only complaint about the book concerns the rather washed-out faded-looking illustrations. These are better viewed up close than before a large audience of children.

[Jon Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr Gumpy lives in a house by the river, and on one sunny day he decides to go for a ride in his boat. Along the way he picks up a couple of children and various farm animals telling each new traveller that they can come on the boat only if they behave. Of course eventually they don't and splosh! Into the water they go, before drying off in the sun and having some tea.

A delightful book with colourful sketch styled drawings that really bring it to life. Perfect for reading to an EYFS class to help them learn about animals.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than Mr. Gumpy's motor car. I liked the "house that Jack built" rhythm. I like the consequence of the passengers breaking the rules. I liked the way everyone went home together after the boat overturning and had tea together, forgetting the various squabbling etc. that had led to the boat overturning and that Mr. Gumpy ended in apparently his typical way by inviting all to come back again another day. The illustrations appealed to me more but I cannot explain why. This is pretty much a classic!

[Polly Batchelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

14/1001 1001 Children's Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up

"Mr.Grumpy owned a boat and his house was by a river."

[KDV · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Mr. Grumpy's style - a lot of pretend rules, no real rules when pressed.

[Gem · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet and fun story about Mr. Gumpy who takes a couple of children and a slew of animals on a boat ride.

[Hayley Spinks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about Mr Gumpy taking a boat ride down the river. As he is about to leave, two children ask if they can join him. He agrees to them joining him as long as they don’t squabble. Next a rabbit asks to join Mr Gumpy. Again he agrees to this as long as the rabbit doesn't hop about. And so the pattern continues. Various animals ask to join the boat ride. Mr Gumpy agrees to them all but with the condition they do not do what they are known for. E.g. a pig mucking about, a dog teasing a cat etc. the ride was going smoothly until the children and the animals all did what they were told not to do and the inevitable happens…….
This book is repetitive so enables children to have an idea of what is coming next. It is aimed at reception/year 1 children and could be used in maths for counting the animals/people in the boat. It can also be used for role play; acting out the scenes on the boat. This would also encourage the children’s social and communications skills.

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Gumpy’s Outing is a light hearted story about Mr.Gumpy going on a boat trip. On the boat he leave a lot of animals get on the board. However, as the boat moves the noise gets louder and louder and the boat eventually breaks. The kind Mr. Gumpy then goes to have tea with all of the animals. Although this story doesn’t have much to it for the adult reader, it can be a useful tool within the classroom in both drama and mathematics. I would use this book in regards to adding animals, “how many animals will be on the boat when the rabbit gets on?”. Children would enjoy doing animal noises for each of the characters. I could see this being used in a fun maths lesson.
The only downside I can see to this book is the fact that the images are drawn in pencil so I do not think that the children would get the full effect of the story because it would be rather hard to show on the screen

[Stacey Scanlon · Rating 4 out of 5]

While on the topic of 'Going Places' I read Mr Gumpy's Outing by John Burningham to my reception class. Mr. Gumpy’s Outing is a light hearted story about Mr.Gumpy going on a boat trip. On the boat he lets a lot of animals get on board, each given one warning - "only if you don't much about" was the pigs warning. However, as the boat moves, the animals begin to do what they were warned not to and the boat eventually topples over. The kind Mr. Gumpy then goes to have tea with all of the animals. Although this story doesn’t have much to it for the adult reader, it can be a useful tool within the classroom in both drama and mathematics. I would use this book in regards to adding animals, “how many animals will be on the boat when the rabbit gets on?”. The children really enjoyed doing animal noises for each of the characters.

[Fjóla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story mirrors Mr. Gumpy's Motor Car, but out of the two I prefer this one because of the illustrations. I really like John Burningham's style, and in this book I particularly like how he alternates the pencil sketches with the water colors. I'd love to have my own copy of the book, just for the pictures ...

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old classic that still delights! I think I still have mine from the 80’s!! Poor Mr Gumpy all the animals want a go in the boat, but the inevitable happens! At least they can still all have tea together! Just simple and perfect!

[June]

Mr Gumpy tells the children they can come along on his boat if they don't squabble, the sheep can come along if it doesn't bleat, the goat can come if it doesn't kick, the pig can come if it doesn't muck about.

Promises are easy. It's all down[river] from here.

[Nicole Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: Mr. Gumpy has a boat and when he starts to ride off in it new characters ask to join him. Each time someone new (animals) come he tells them "yes you can ride but don't [hop, muck, tease, etc]" toward the end of the story each of the characters do the bad thing they were told not to do and the boat flips over. They all have to walk home.
Reflection: I like the story but I'm not crazy about the pictures. This would be good for little kids to predict with.
Use in Class: This would be a great book for introducing new vocabulary and teaching students to use context clues when they don't know the words.

[Jane Scholey · Rating 5 out of 5]

RIP JB. A beautiful story. Full of life and frolics.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, but our library copy had faded so much that the pictures were hard to make out.

[Ronan Crutchfield]

I thought this book was alright. It made me smile a little

[Archie · Rating 3 out of 5]

all right

[Zina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book seems very old fashioned. The colors of the book did not breathe life into the book. However I did enjoy the story line of the grumpy man taking a ride on a boat and letting others including children, pigs, chicken cats and other animals enjoy the ride with him and he eventually becomes "Mr.Happy." I think children would like this book because of the recognizable characters and the repetition.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Character names are so important to me. How can you dislike a book where the protagonist is named Gumpy? Anyway, Mr. Gumpy is a nice man with a boat who is continuously solicited by different animals for a ride in the boat. He agrees but always asks that the animal not do something inherent to it's nature (the dog can't tease the cat, the pig can't muck about...). I'm sure you can guess how that goes for him. The only thing I would like better is to see him lose it a little when things get out of control but that's OK. The drawings are nice, black and white on the left and in color on the right with a few full color spreads. In the pictures, Burningham (I wonder how his family got that last name) uses crosshatching liberally and mixed media which gives his work a very satisfying texture and dimensionality.

[Donna Gofur · Rating 4 out of 5]

On one fine morning, Mr Gumpy decides to go out for a boat ride, but finds children and various difficult animals who want to join him.

Mr Gumpy agrees to take them all on his boat, if they agreed to get along nicely with each other.

Of course, on their journey the animals and the children, could not get along together and ended up falling into the river, along with Mr Gumpy.

My Gumpy invites the children and the animals back to his house for tea.

And then asks them to come back again the following day for another boat ride.


I used this story as their core text in my reception class this week.

Its great to prompt children to ask questions about the text.
Enables them to cross check when they are reading - do the pictures in the story give us a clue of whats happening.