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Blabber Mouth #1
Quasselstrippe
Set in Australia, this humorous and touching story of the misadventures of a clever girl who cannot speak and her social misfit of a father will delight readers.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 27, 1995
14 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Morris Gleitzman
121 books980 followersMorris began his writing career as a screenwriter, and wrote his first children's novel in 1985. His brilliantly comic style has endeared him to children and adults alike, and he is now one of Australia's most successful authors, both internationally and at home. He was born in England in 1953 and emigrated to Australia in 1969 so he could escape from school and become a Very Famous Writer.
Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.
Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.
He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.
But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.
All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.
Before realising that dream, he had a colourful career as paperboy, bottle-shop shelf-stacker, department store Santa Claus, frozen chicken defroster, fashion-design assistant and sugar-mill employee. In between he managed to gain a degree in Professional Writing at the Canberra College of Advanced Education. Later he became sole writer for three award-winning and top-rating seasons with the TV comedy series The Norman Gunston Show.
Morris wrote a number of feature film and telemovie screenplays, including The Other Facts of Life and Second Childhood, both produced by The Australian Children's Television Foundation. The Other Facts of Life won an AWGIE Award for the Best Original Children's Film Script.
He also wrote live stage material for people such as Rolf Harris, Pamela Stephenson and the Governor General of Australia. Morris is well known to many people through his semi-autobiographical columns in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald magazine, Good Weekend, which he wrote for nine years.
But the majority of Morris' accolades are for his hugely popular children's books. One of his most successful books for young people is Two Weeks with the Queen, an international bestseller which was also adapted into a play by Mary Morris. The play had many successful seasons in Australia and was then produced at the National Theatre in London in 1995 directed by Alan Ayckbourn, and also in South Africa, Canada, Japan and the USA.
All his other books have been shortlisted for or have won numerous children's book prizes. These include The Other Facts of Life, Second Childhood, Misery Guts, Worry Warts, Puppy Fat, Blabber Mouth, Sticky Beak, Belly Flop, Water Wings, Bumface, Gift Of The Gab, Toad Rage, Wicked! and Deadly!, two six-part novels written in collaboration with Paul Jennings, Adults Only, Toad Heaven, Boy Overboard, Teacher's Pet, Toad Away, Girl Underground, Worm Story, Once, Aristotle's Nostril, Doubting Thomas, Give Peas A Chance, Then, Toad Surprise, Grace, Now, Too Small To Fail, and his latest book, Pizza Cake. Morris' children's books have been published in the UK, the USA, Germany, Italy, Japan, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Indonesia and Czechoslovakia, Russia and China.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
December 17, 2022
Audiobook narrated by Mary-Anne Fahey. Who can forget Kylie Mole! Most Australians would be familiar with Fahey’s best-known character, Kylie Mole from the sketch comedy series The Comedy Club and her famous catch-phrase, I go, I go, I just go… Hilarious. Now readers can listen to her narrate the three Blabber Mouth books penned by Morris Gleitzman and she is fab to listen to.
Morris Gleitztman tells a humorous and moving story about a young girl who cannot speak. Entertaining and heart-warming. So excellent.
Morris Gleitztman tells a humorous and moving story about a young girl who cannot speak. Entertaining and heart-warming. So excellent.
Want to read
June 15, 2020i vividly remember reading this in primary school, it was my favourite. i even remember some of the scenes (which I guess is a big deal, I don't even remember scenes from goosebumps?). I'm not sure if I finished two weeks with the queen, but I definitely know I picked it up and saw it around. I know for a fact I started reading Bumface but I put it down because I couldn't handle the talk about sex and penises while I was sitting next to a boy at quiet reading time, lol.
I probably read more that I can't remember now, I remember the names at least! I wonder if any of the teachers actually knew the content of these books?
i'd be so keen to return to them some day!
I probably read more that I can't remember now, I remember the names at least! I wonder if any of the teachers actually knew the content of these books?
i'd be so keen to return to them some day!
December 19, 2012
Blabbermouth by Morris Gleitzman
This book is HILARIOUS! The main character is a girl called Roweena, who is mute, therefore communicates using sign language. All though Roweena has a ‘disability’ it does not affect her life. She is funny, smart and clever. Blabbermouth is about the different mini adventures Roweena goes on with her father, who embarrasses her often. The description in the book is extremely detailed that you can visually imagine the scene and how the characters are feeling. The story is told through the view of Roweena, so it allows the readers to ‘get inside’ her head. From the start to the end the story entertains and makes you laugh, some of the ideas are just unimaginable until you read this book.
Blabbermouth is probably suitable for children in year 6 onwards (11-14). The story can be used to discuss issues around disability or challenges children/adults may face. The character is a good example of someone, who makes the most out of their life and uses humor to help them through it. Also, it is just a great read. Although girls will probably enjoy reading it more boys will find it funny too.
This book is HILARIOUS! The main character is a girl called Roweena, who is mute, therefore communicates using sign language. All though Roweena has a ‘disability’ it does not affect her life. She is funny, smart and clever. Blabbermouth is about the different mini adventures Roweena goes on with her father, who embarrasses her often. The description in the book is extremely detailed that you can visually imagine the scene and how the characters are feeling. The story is told through the view of Roweena, so it allows the readers to ‘get inside’ her head. From the start to the end the story entertains and makes you laugh, some of the ideas are just unimaginable until you read this book.
Blabbermouth is probably suitable for children in year 6 onwards (11-14). The story can be used to discuss issues around disability or challenges children/adults may face. The character is a good example of someone, who makes the most out of their life and uses humor to help them through it. Also, it is just a great read. Although girls will probably enjoy reading it more boys will find it funny too.
October 21, 2011
I decided to read Blabber Mouth by Morris Gleitzman because i wasn't allowed to just sit and play PS3 the entire holidays and also because i remembered that i needed to read a book with a female main charater.
This books completes the 'A book with a female main character' category on the bingo board.
Blabber Mouth which is set in Australia, is about a girl named Rowena. Rowena is physically disabled as she cannot speak and so is different from everyone else. And so the book is basically about the misadventures of this clever girl and her social misfit of a father.
What i liked about this book is that it is full of hilarious parts where it practically all goes wrong for Rowena and this is what kept me reading on and on.
There wasn't anything that i didn't like about this book hence the five stars.
I would reommend this book to children that are between the ages of eight and fifteen because it may a bit confusing for those of a younger age a bit boring to those of a older age.
This books completes the 'A book with a female main character' category on the bingo board.
Blabber Mouth which is set in Australia, is about a girl named Rowena. Rowena is physically disabled as she cannot speak and so is different from everyone else. And so the book is basically about the misadventures of this clever girl and her social misfit of a father.
What i liked about this book is that it is full of hilarious parts where it practically all goes wrong for Rowena and this is what kept me reading on and on.
There wasn't anything that i didn't like about this book hence the five stars.
I would reommend this book to children that are between the ages of eight and fifteen because it may a bit confusing for those of a younger age a bit boring to those of a older age.
September 5, 2023
A nice little book with a positive message, especially when it comes to living with disabilities.
Rowena, or Ro for short, is a mute girl, who lives with her Dad in Australia (her mother died at her birth, her dad is single). They recently moved to a small town and Ro is the new kid at school. Technically her disability doesn't affect her life at all, since she talks in sign language with her dad and writes on paper with others, however, the kids at her new school aren't so happy about it and like to turn her school days into bad memories. And her dad isn't much of a help, as he constantly embarrasses her.
While it may sound like just another school bully story with a protagonist who's disabled, it isn't. Ro knows how to stand up for herself, and, other than hiding in a closet, she doesn't let her classmates' comments bring her down.
Even when she was at a "disability conference", she made sure to not let others control her because they think she's helpless; she told them how disabled people are humans as well and should be treated as such. I really liked that little speech, especially when the president got angry.
And she also stood up to her friends' father, when he wanted to cut off the friendship, just because he didn't like Ro's dad and was upset about Ro ruining his "heroism".
It got a bit cliché in the middle, with her dad dating Ro's teacher (plus I didn't ship them), but at least didn't have a cliché ending, so that's good.
And also quite emotional towards the end.
Overall it's nice how the book focuses more on Ro's problem with her dad's embarrassing situations, rather than on her being mute. It's a good message, especially for kids, to show that not all disabled people are helpless and have a completely normal life like any other.
Also, Ro has a funny humour and the writing style is smooth. Enjoyable and recommendable for all ages.
Rowena, or Ro for short, is a mute girl, who lives with her Dad in Australia (her mother died at her birth, her dad is single). They recently moved to a small town and Ro is the new kid at school. Technically her disability doesn't affect her life at all, since she talks in sign language with her dad and writes on paper with others, however, the kids at her new school aren't so happy about it and like to turn her school days into bad memories. And her dad isn't much of a help, as he constantly embarrasses her.
While it may sound like just another school bully story with a protagonist who's disabled, it isn't. Ro knows how to stand up for herself, and, other than hiding in a closet, she doesn't let her classmates' comments bring her down.
Even when she was at a "disability conference", she made sure to not let others control her because they think she's helpless; she told them how disabled people are humans as well and should be treated as such. I really liked that little speech, especially when the president got angry.
And she also stood up to her friends' father, when he wanted to cut off the friendship, just because he didn't like Ro's dad and was upset about Ro ruining his "heroism".
It got a bit cliché in the middle, with her dad dating Ro's teacher (plus I didn't ship them), but at least didn't have a cliché ending, so that's good.
And also quite emotional towards the end.
Overall it's nice how the book focuses more on Ro's problem with her dad's embarrassing situations, rather than on her being mute. It's a good message, especially for kids, to show that not all disabled people are helpless and have a completely normal life like any other.
Also, Ro has a funny humour and the writing style is smooth. Enjoyable and recommendable for all ages.
March 20, 2022
morris gleitzman is good author but all the characters he writes have the same personality. like there is just the same person in a different life in each book
May 14, 2017
"Dad ayah yang amat sangat hebat. Kecuali untuk satu hal." (halaman 23)
Blabber Mouth atau dalam bahasa Indonesia yang berarti Mulut Ember merupakan salahsatu buku terbitan lama yang baru kubaca di tahun 2017.
Blabber Mouth menyeritakan tentang seorang anak tunawicara bernama Rowena. Ia memiliki seorang ayah, yang biasa ia panggil Dad. Namun, Dad-nya ini memiliki suatu keunikan. Suka mengenakan kemeja norak, ikat pinggang dengan gesper tengkorak nyengir, dan senang menyanyikan lagu country di depan umum.
Pada hari pertama sekolah, Rowena telah membuat suatu kekacauan dengan menjejalkan kodok ke mulut Darryn Peck, si anak yang menyebalkan, karena telah mengejek orangtuanya. Ro tersinggung bukan main, terutama mengingat Mum-nya yang telah tiada. Lalu, ia mengunci diri di lemari sekolah.
Secara keseluruhan, aku suka buku ini.
Walaupun ceritanya sederhana dan banyak dibalut humor, namun memiliki pesan moral yang penting untuk diambil pembacanya.
Membaca Blabber Mouth, membuat diriku teringat akan bapak yang sedang bekerja beribu kilometer dari sini.
Rowena selalu memiliki seorang pelindung. Dad. Dad senantiasa membelanya, walaupun terkadang hal itu membuat Ro marah karena Dad membela dengan cara yang memalukan. Tapi Ro tidak pernah bisa marah karena Dad-nya merupakan sosok penenang dan penyemangat baginya.
Selain itu, pembaca akan belajar mengenai pentingnya rasa setia, tulus, serta menerima segala kelebihan dan kekurangan terhadap sahabat.
Blabber Mouth atau dalam bahasa Indonesia yang berarti Mulut Ember merupakan salahsatu buku terbitan lama yang baru kubaca di tahun 2017.
Blabber Mouth menyeritakan tentang seorang anak tunawicara bernama Rowena. Ia memiliki seorang ayah, yang biasa ia panggil Dad. Namun, Dad-nya ini memiliki suatu keunikan. Suka mengenakan kemeja norak, ikat pinggang dengan gesper tengkorak nyengir, dan senang menyanyikan lagu country di depan umum.
Pada hari pertama sekolah, Rowena telah membuat suatu kekacauan dengan menjejalkan kodok ke mulut Darryn Peck, si anak yang menyebalkan, karena telah mengejek orangtuanya. Ro tersinggung bukan main, terutama mengingat Mum-nya yang telah tiada. Lalu, ia mengunci diri di lemari sekolah.
Secara keseluruhan, aku suka buku ini.
Walaupun ceritanya sederhana dan banyak dibalut humor, namun memiliki pesan moral yang penting untuk diambil pembacanya.
Membaca Blabber Mouth, membuat diriku teringat akan bapak yang sedang bekerja beribu kilometer dari sini.
Rowena selalu memiliki seorang pelindung. Dad. Dad senantiasa membelanya, walaupun terkadang hal itu membuat Ro marah karena Dad membela dengan cara yang memalukan. Tapi Ro tidak pernah bisa marah karena Dad-nya merupakan sosok penenang dan penyemangat baginya.
Selain itu, pembaca akan belajar mengenai pentingnya rasa setia, tulus, serta menerima segala kelebihan dan kekurangan terhadap sahabat.
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March 23, 2021Oh, this book made me feel things. Poor Rowena, and her poor father!
Both outcasts, Ro because of her speech difficulties and the fact nobody wants to be her friend, and her father because of his endless (and often embarrassing) eccentricities, your heart breaks for the pair over and over as the book goes on.
They're a team, though, and pull through over and over until Ro makes a huge mistake and it all looks like it's over.
I've read Blabber Mouth in the past, but it was decades ago, when the book first came out, and I don't really remember much about it, so it read like a new story to me. Morris Gleitzman's lively, funny and oh-so Australian dialogue is wonderful, as is his ability to set things up early on for great payoffs at the end.
Yes, there are a few dated references (the typewriter!), but not enough that I think young readers today would be put off.
Both outcasts, Ro because of her speech difficulties and the fact nobody wants to be her friend, and her father because of his endless (and often embarrassing) eccentricities, your heart breaks for the pair over and over as the book goes on.
They're a team, though, and pull through over and over until Ro makes a huge mistake and it all looks like it's over.
I've read Blabber Mouth in the past, but it was decades ago, when the book first came out, and I don't really remember much about it, so it read like a new story to me. Morris Gleitzman's lively, funny and oh-so Australian dialogue is wonderful, as is his ability to set things up early on for great payoffs at the end.
Yes, there are a few dated references (the typewriter!), but not enough that I think young readers today would be put off.
February 10, 2023
I enjoyed this story. It was a quick read with a strong voice and great characters, and its quirky Aussie humour and nostalgic 90s vibe reminded me of Paul Jennings' writing. The first chapter was particularly excellent - the main character shoving a frog into an annoying classmate's mouth and then taping his mouth shut is a pretty strong start! I'll be seeking out more of Gleitzman's books for sure.
March 20, 2020
I remember really enjoying reading this series as a kid but when I reread it I felt as if half of the story was missing - maybe I remember the whole series merged together rather than just Blabber Mouth. I do really like the representation in Blabber Mouth of mute people and just Rowena Batts in general.
March 9, 2019
Moving and emotional. Reading this taught me so much and how fortunate I am for having a voice and for what I have in life. Wish i'd read this sooner. An amazing book everyone deserves to read it. If you haven't already do yourself a favour and read it.
July 14, 2025
I read this book when I was in Primary School. Hilarious read! I enjoyed the competitive relationship between many of the characters and in particular the dynamic between Ro and her Dad.
Another book that influenced my writing style.
Another book that influenced my writing style.
May 31, 2017
Nice book
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August 27, 2019Read this so many times as a kid.
April 29, 2021
Was not to bad
July 3, 2021
хорошая книга. подарю копию своим сиблингам.
August 10, 2021
I read this as a kid and am now writing my own books for kids about this age. A really funny and honest portrayal of an impulsive kid.
May 31, 2014
Blabbermouth by Morris Gleitzman – Realistic Fiction, 4th grade and up – Picked up this book because it might be part of a special book list for Hong Kong… thrilled I got to read, learned that it is part of three novel series and additionally has a tv show adaptation of it. Another wonderful story I loved with a main character with a flaw, this character is a sweet girl who is concerned about her dad’s feelings more than her own situation. She has been moved to a new school and is nervous about how she will be accepted since she cannot speak. Unfortunately, she has a pretty fiery temper and quickly stuffs a frog into a boy’s mouth after he teases her on her first day of school.
November 23, 2014
This book was read to me by a friend over multiple days. It's actually probably best read fairly quickly, because the end connects to the beginning quite beautifully, but I'd forgotten that by the time we got there. However, having it read to me (it's one of their favourite childhood books) was such an incredible experience that I wouldn't change a thing.
It's a great story. Sweet and sad at the same time. We start Sticky Beak tomorrow, and I can't wait. :)
It's a great story. Sweet and sad at the same time. We start Sticky Beak tomorrow, and I can't wait. :)
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November 8, 2016This book is about : A girl named Rowena batts. She cant talk she. They live on a farm and her friends name is Amanda cosgrove Rowena was going to Amandas house and Amanda said that she was an exsperament. Mr Cosgrove douse not like Mr batts. Mr batts is Rowenas dad. i think you should recommend this book because its a really funny story and eveyone that will read it will love it because its amazing so u should read this book.
November 23, 2017
Morris Gleitzman was a favorite author when I was in primary school and I read everything he put out. The covers were quirky and weird, and every time I laughed and wanted more.
*Note, I haven't read these books since I was a child myself, so this review will be repeated across all of Gleitzman's books I marked as read many years ago ;)
*Note, I haven't read these books since I was a child myself, so this review will be repeated across all of Gleitzman's books I marked as read many years ago ;)
November 28, 2008
My Austrialian primary five teacher read my class this story, and I bought a battered copy from the library sale box a few years ago. It's a really good book...however, now I want to find the other two novels about Rowena! I remember the one where she went to France quite vividly.
June 14, 2013
Australian author Gleitzman spins a very funny and very touching story. Easy to read for 7 and up, easy to enjoy for adults who are easily bored with most childrens' books. If I could find the rest of his work, I'd read them all.
April 24, 2009
Kok buku ini sepi dari review ya...padahal kereennn?
April 29, 2009
Interesting and funny story about a girl who can't speak. I preferred the Misery Guts series more, though.
August 31, 2009
wasn't a very detailed book, i read it a long time ago, might read it again soon.
November 20, 2009
dipinjemin harun
March 6, 2011
i think this book is alright my teacher mrs.haw read it to us
Read
June 29, 2011i thought this book was really good. I did not know what was going to come next in the book. I would not like my dad to be like rowenas dad.
September 2, 2011
I don't remember much about this other than I really liked it as a kid.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews