Character guide
What is a Gruffalo?
A Gruffalo is the made-up monster in Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's picture book The Gruffalo. Mouse invents him to frighten off Fox, Owl and Snake, then meets him for real: tusks, claws, orange eyes, a poisonous wart and purple prickles.
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What does the Gruffalo look like?
The Gruffalo's description, feature by feature, as Mouse describes him in the story: a large monster with tusks, claws, orange eyes, a poisonous wart, a black tongue and purple prickles down his back.
- Tusks and clawsBig, sharp and scary
- Huge teethIn a wide, growly mouth
- Orange eyesAnd a black tongue
- A poisonous wartRight on the end of his nose
- Purple pricklesAll the way down his back
- Knobbly kneesAnd toes that point outwards
What happens in the story?
Mouse walks through the deep dark wood, talks his way past three hungry animals, then has to think even faster when the monster he invented turns out to be real. The full plot, age guide and creators are in the Gruffalo story overview.
Who created the Gruffalo?
Julia Donaldson wrote The Gruffalo and Axel Scheffler drew him. The picture book was first published by Macmillan in 1999.
Who else is in the story?
The other animals in The Gruffalo. Mouse meets each one in turn before the Gruffalo appears.
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Mouse
Mouse is a clever, brave and resourceful character in The Gruffalo who survives through quick thinking rather than strength.
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Snake
Snake is a patient and quietly menacing predator in The Gruffalo who relies on subtle persuasion and a gentle manner to entice Mouse into danger.
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Fox
Fox is a clever and opportunistic predator in The Gruffalo who attempts to win Mouse over through smooth talk and an apparently friendly invitation.
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Owl
Owl is a vigilant, intelligent predator in The Gruffalo who masks his threat behind courtesy, inviting Mouse in under the pretence of hospitality.
Character guide
More about the Gruffalo
Role in the story
Why The Gruffalo matters
The Gruffalo is part of the chain of encounters that makes The Gruffalo easy to follow. Each character helps children understand the pattern of danger, imagination and quick thinking at the heart of the story.
If you are looking for the whole plot, start with the Gruffalo story overview. If you want the complete cast, visit the Gruffalo character guide.
For teachers
Audiobooks work in the classroom
Listening to a story read well builds vocabulary and comprehension, and lets every child follow the whole book, including those still learning to read.
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Whole-class listening. Connect a Voxblock to your classroom speaker and the whole class hears The Gruffalo together.
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Questions about the Gruffalo character
Answers for searches about what a Gruffalo is, what he looks like, what the name means and how the character works in the story.
What is a Gruffalo?
A Gruffalo is a fictional monster from The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Mouse first invents him to scare away Fox, Owl and Snake, then discovers that the creature is real inside the story.
What does the Gruffalo look like?
The Gruffalo is described as a large monster with terrible tusks, terrible claws, orange eyes, a poisonous wart, a black tongue and purple prickles all over his back.
What does Gruffalo mean?
In the story, "Gruffalo" is the name Mouse gives to his invented monster. The word sounds rough, growly and memorable, which helps make the creature feel funny and frightening at the same time.
What role does the Gruffalo play in the story?
The Gruffalo is first Mouse's imaginary defence against danger, then becomes the final challenge Mouse must outwit. His role is to turn the story's joke around and prove that Mouse's cleverness matters more than size or strength.
Is the Gruffalo real?
The Gruffalo is not a real animal; he is a fictional storybook creature. Within the world of the book, though, Mouse meets the real Gruffalo after describing him to the other animals.
Can children listen to The Gruffalo without a screen?
Yes. The Gruffalo is a physical Voxblock audiobook, so children can listen screen-free with no downloads, tablet or Wi-Fi.
More from the deep dark wood
Explore the rest of The Gruffalo
Read the story overview, meet the full cast, see the audiobook, or carry on with the sequel, The Gruffalo's Child.
At home
Listen to The Gruffalo audiobook, screen-free
Your child puts the Gruffalo story block on the Voxblock player and presses play. No screen, no downloads, no subscription.