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Gumnut Babies
This work is a delightful collection of some of May Gibb's most charming 'bush babies' stories. These stories include: "Flannel Flowers and Other Bush Babies"; "Wattle Babies"; "Boronia Babies and Gum-blossom Babies"; plus "Nuttytub and Nittersing". These are intended for ages 7+.
253 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1916
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 25, 2017
* https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The Gumnut Babies, a true blue Australian classic treasury, written and illustrated by May Gibbs, has reached an iconic landmark. In 2016, it was reformatted and released as a centenary edition, to celebrate one hundred years since the first publication of Gibbs’ work in Australia. It is a treasured story book that easily goes hand in hand with Gibbs’ well known tale, The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
Throughout this week, at Mrs B’s Book Reviews I am showcasing the work of May Gibbs by a series of book reviews of her classic works, plus some new titles that have been inspired by this great lady of children’s fiction. The Gumnut Babies is another book by Gibbs I recall fondly enjoying as a young girl. May Gibbs is a writer and illustrator who is perfectly able to carry the reader from the comfort of their home, to the heart of the bush. For a young girl growing up in a small beachside suburb, Gibbs’ books were able to carry me away from my home to another world, a world that some of us are disconnected from or have had little exposure to, the Australian bush. Gibbs makes the reader feel like they are at one with the stunning Australian landscape and books such as The Gumnut Babies work to provide the audience with a greater appreciation for our picturesque landscape.
In this gorgeous edition of The Gumnut Babies, the reader is presented with a striking illustrated guide to the various Gumnut Babies, Gum-Blossom Babies, Flannel Flowers, Boronia Babies and Wattle Babies that populate the fantasy world created by May Gibbs. Each different bush baby is inspired by Australia’s unique flora. Every bush baby Gibbs created is profiled by the author and has a stunning accompanying illustration, along with poem outlining key features of the bush baby to match.
Complimenting this lovely guide to the Gumnut Babies are two memorable stories. The first is Nuttybob and Nittersing. The second is Chucklebud and Wunkydoo. In the first of these stories, Nuttybob and Nittersing, one of the babies, Nittersing is taken by the notorious Bad Banksia Men. It is up to the remaining gumnut baby, Nuttybob, to rescue Nittersing from the Bad Banksia Men, with the help of some bush friends, such as a little blossom Narnywos and Widgie. Together, these bush creatures go on an incredible journey to defeat the Bad Banksia Men and Mrs Snake. When Nittersing is rescued, order is eventually restored to the bush folk, after a long and winding experience.
The second of the additional stories added to The Gumnut Babies collection is centered on the tale of Chucklebud and Wonkydoo. In this particular amiable tale from Gibbs, another set of gumnut brothers, a curious duo, set off in search of a knowledgeable kookaburra, in the hope that he can answer some questions they have for him. The path to see the wise kookaburra is not a smooth one. The brothers must escape the clutches of the feared Bad Banksia Men who try to kidnap them. The brothers escape and their trek into the bush leads them to the path of Mr Lizard. Together, their experience is a wondrous occasion and one these dainty gumnut babies will not forget – along with the reader!
Closing off The Gumnut Babies is an informative condensed biography of May Gibbs included at the back of the book. I found this summary of the key points in May Gibbs’ life to be the ideal way to conclude my reading of this adored book. This section is also included in the 2007 edition of The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
It was a delightful experience to return to a much loved childhood classic, by reading The Gumnut Babies by May Gibbs. The rare talent of May Gibbs is undeniable and it becomes so very clear once you select one of her treasured books to share with a child, or read for enjoyment as an adult. Gibbs has a knack for involving her audience in a kind of bush reverie through her stories, which are also a heartfelt testament to the beauty of Australia’s flora and fauna. The Gumnut Babies is an essential addition to bookshelves. I hope this cherished story collection continues to be discovered and rediscovered by all readers.
*I wish to thank the May Gibbs brand for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Gumnut Babies, a true blue Australian classic treasury, written and illustrated by May Gibbs, has reached an iconic landmark. In 2016, it was reformatted and released as a centenary edition, to celebrate one hundred years since the first publication of Gibbs’ work in Australia. It is a treasured story book that easily goes hand in hand with Gibbs’ well known tale, The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
Throughout this week, at Mrs B’s Book Reviews I am showcasing the work of May Gibbs by a series of book reviews of her classic works, plus some new titles that have been inspired by this great lady of children’s fiction. The Gumnut Babies is another book by Gibbs I recall fondly enjoying as a young girl. May Gibbs is a writer and illustrator who is perfectly able to carry the reader from the comfort of their home, to the heart of the bush. For a young girl growing up in a small beachside suburb, Gibbs’ books were able to carry me away from my home to another world, a world that some of us are disconnected from or have had little exposure to, the Australian bush. Gibbs makes the reader feel like they are at one with the stunning Australian landscape and books such as The Gumnut Babies work to provide the audience with a greater appreciation for our picturesque landscape.
In this gorgeous edition of The Gumnut Babies, the reader is presented with a striking illustrated guide to the various Gumnut Babies, Gum-Blossom Babies, Flannel Flowers, Boronia Babies and Wattle Babies that populate the fantasy world created by May Gibbs. Each different bush baby is inspired by Australia’s unique flora. Every bush baby Gibbs created is profiled by the author and has a stunning accompanying illustration, along with poem outlining key features of the bush baby to match.
Complimenting this lovely guide to the Gumnut Babies are two memorable stories. The first is Nuttybob and Nittersing. The second is Chucklebud and Wunkydoo. In the first of these stories, Nuttybob and Nittersing, one of the babies, Nittersing is taken by the notorious Bad Banksia Men. It is up to the remaining gumnut baby, Nuttybob, to rescue Nittersing from the Bad Banksia Men, with the help of some bush friends, such as a little blossom Narnywos and Widgie. Together, these bush creatures go on an incredible journey to defeat the Bad Banksia Men and Mrs Snake. When Nittersing is rescued, order is eventually restored to the bush folk, after a long and winding experience.
The second of the additional stories added to The Gumnut Babies collection is centered on the tale of Chucklebud and Wonkydoo. In this particular amiable tale from Gibbs, another set of gumnut brothers, a curious duo, set off in search of a knowledgeable kookaburra, in the hope that he can answer some questions they have for him. The path to see the wise kookaburra is not a smooth one. The brothers must escape the clutches of the feared Bad Banksia Men who try to kidnap them. The brothers escape and their trek into the bush leads them to the path of Mr Lizard. Together, their experience is a wondrous occasion and one these dainty gumnut babies will not forget – along with the reader!
Closing off The Gumnut Babies is an informative condensed biography of May Gibbs included at the back of the book. I found this summary of the key points in May Gibbs’ life to be the ideal way to conclude my reading of this adored book. This section is also included in the 2007 edition of The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
It was a delightful experience to return to a much loved childhood classic, by reading The Gumnut Babies by May Gibbs. The rare talent of May Gibbs is undeniable and it becomes so very clear once you select one of her treasured books to share with a child, or read for enjoyment as an adult. Gibbs has a knack for involving her audience in a kind of bush reverie through her stories, which are also a heartfelt testament to the beauty of Australia’s flora and fauna. The Gumnut Babies is an essential addition to bookshelves. I hope this cherished story collection continues to be discovered and rediscovered by all readers.
*I wish to thank the May Gibbs brand for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
April 20, 2019
Our kids enjoy these fairy tales of the Australian bush. This one a little harder to follow than her more well known tales of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
September 20, 2018
An amazing piece of memorabilia that I will treasure for this rest of my life!!
Marking the centenary publication of May Gibbs’ first book “Gumnut Babies”, this amazing piece of memorabilia will be available for all Aussies who remember the great stories of the Gumnut Babies!!! Divided into sections: Gumnut Babies, Gum-Blossom Babies, Flannel Flowers and Other Bush Babies, Boronia Babies, Wattle Babies, Nuttybub and Nittersing and Chucklebud and Wunkydoo, it makes the perfect companion to The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
Such an elegantly illustrated book with amazing stories suitable for young and old alike, this storybook will sure bring families together for a cosy read along. Every Australian who grew up with the stories of the Gumnut Babies needs to have this as a collectors item. Indeed this is one I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Special thanks to Harper Collins Publishers for sending me this amazing advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
– Annie
Marking the centenary publication of May Gibbs’ first book “Gumnut Babies”, this amazing piece of memorabilia will be available for all Aussies who remember the great stories of the Gumnut Babies!!! Divided into sections: Gumnut Babies, Gum-Blossom Babies, Flannel Flowers and Other Bush Babies, Boronia Babies, Wattle Babies, Nuttybub and Nittersing and Chucklebud and Wunkydoo, it makes the perfect companion to The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
Such an elegantly illustrated book with amazing stories suitable for young and old alike, this storybook will sure bring families together for a cosy read along. Every Australian who grew up with the stories of the Gumnut Babies needs to have this as a collectors item. Indeed this is one I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Special thanks to Harper Collins Publishers for sending me this amazing advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
– Annie
August 24, 2016
A book I will treasure for the rest of my life! This amazing collectable is an elegantly illustrated piece of nostalgia that celebrates 100 years of the Gumnut Babies by May Gibbs. This book is divided into 7 sections - each with a beautiful story of such cute Gumnut Babies - bringing back a great childhood memory of "Snugglepot and Cuddlepie" Every Australian who grew up with the stories of the Gumnut Babies needs to have this piece of memorabilia!!! Special thanks to Harper Collins Publishers for sending me this amazing advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
January 10, 2019
An interesting, different book coming from Australia, full of beautiful tales...
December 10, 2016
This book is a wonderful collection of May Gibbs' beautiful bush babies stories. Featuring gum-blossom babies, boronia babies, bad banksia men and other bush creatures, this book is a must have for all Australian children.
This beautiful book contains some of the sweetest stories you will ever read. Filled with great descriptions and amazing illustrations, the gumnut babies are truely a national treasure.
I can remember how amazing I thought these tales were when I was read them as a child, now reading them as an adult they seem even more magical.
May Gibbs' illustrations breathe extra life into these stories giving them another layer.
I finished this book with a warm feeling in my chest, a smile on my face, and proud to be an Australian.
I don't have a bad word to say about this book.
If you aren't familiar with or you haven't read these stories since childhood, you need to get yourself a copy now. Lose yourself in the bush and enjoy a magical journey with the loveable Gumnut Babies.
Written by Geramie Kate Barker
https://gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
This beautiful book contains some of the sweetest stories you will ever read. Filled with great descriptions and amazing illustrations, the gumnut babies are truely a national treasure.
I can remember how amazing I thought these tales were when I was read them as a child, now reading them as an adult they seem even more magical.
May Gibbs' illustrations breathe extra life into these stories giving them another layer.
I finished this book with a warm feeling in my chest, a smile on my face, and proud to be an Australian.
I don't have a bad word to say about this book.
If you aren't familiar with or you haven't read these stories since childhood, you need to get yourself a copy now. Lose yourself in the bush and enjoy a magical journey with the loveable Gumnut Babies.
Written by Geramie Kate Barker
https://gemsbooknook.wordpress.com
August 27, 2016
The Australian Book Week theme this year was "Australia: Story Country" and I wanted to dress up like a classic Australian character. I knew of May Gibbs' Gumnut Babies but I hadn't read any stories. This treasury is a good introduction. The first half is a sort of a field guide listing the behaviours and habits of different bush babies, who are all based on different Australian flowers. It's pretty cute and nice to think there might be little fairy creatures living in the tea trees and wattles around my house. The second half of the book has two adventures. In the first, Nuttybub and Nittersing escape the Bad Banksia Men with the help of many Australian native animals. In the second, Chucklebud and Wunkydoo escape the Bad Banksia Men with the help of many Australian native animals. They are pretty similar but still fun. Would be good to read with little kids before you take them bushwalking.
July 25, 2012
Delightful and adventurous. The book is split into two main sections. The first, a collection of small story sketches of different types of bush babies; the second, two relatively large scale adventures of two seperate sets of gumnut babies. Wonderful & imaginative depictions of heroes & villains set in a very Australian scene. My little girl took them to her dreams & I enjoyed taking her there with this book.
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August 11, 2019This was a beautiful centenary edition of Gumnut Babies, which included many of the stories and some biographical information about May Gibbs. The stories use beautifully literate language but the plots are quite weird and dark. An interesting read, but perhaps need a higher recommended age than 7.
October 18, 2016
Every 1 out of 100 books, you find something absolutely amazing. This book is it!
Highly recommended to all of my friends. Fairy characters from 1916!!!!
http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.com/2008...
Highly recommended to all of my friends. Fairy characters from 1916!!!!
http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.com/2008...
Read
January 8, 2010Gumnut Classics Gibbs, May by May Gibbs (1988)
October 29, 2014
A good book that I enjoyed as a child.I would recommend this to children as I still remember the story to this day.
November 17, 2011
I love this series - nothing more to say it is full of fun and adventure!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews