The Glerp

by David McPhail

At the expense of his health, the strolling Glerp swallows everyone who gets in his way.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Storytime

23 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

David was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts and attended the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. While there, he began illustrating. He is now an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 200 books beloved by children, parents and librarians across the United States. McPhail has garnered many prestigious awards, including a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year for Mole Music in 2001. McPhail’s other books include First Flight, which the New York Times praised as “hilarious and helpful”; and Lost!, which was chosen as an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists.

McPhail has four children, three stepchildren, and is a proud grandfather. He is married to Jan Waldron, with whom he has written and illustrated several books. He lives in Rye, New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Kate Hamblett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Glerp wanders along swallowing up the animals and creatures it comes across, the animals move around in side of it until.. it's sick.

This story is similar to 'the little old woman who swallowed a fly'. The Glerp progresses through the story doing the same thing to all of the creatures it comes across making the story predictable so that children can easily guess what will happen next after a few pages. It is also fun to predict what will happen at the end.

The Glerp's catchphrase is 'Glerp!' which said in the right kind of voice can make the story even funnier then it is already. As an adult I enjoyed reading this book as gave me the opportunity to do silly voices that storied don't always allow, making it fun to 'perform'.

The book is easily read by 5-6 year olds and enjoyed by 2-8 year olds. The story pattern can influence children to create a story using the same principles. Something building steadily up to a climax.

The book could be a way to demonstrate what happens when you eat too much, to promote sensible eating. It can also be used to introduce animal and creature vocabulary in a fun way.

The illustrations are funny as you see the strange ever expanding Glerp and the worried animals. It goes well with the story and is good if you choose to use it to introduce animal vocabulary.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

My daughter was confused by this book, I was just grossed out. I read that this book is similar to "The Woman Who Swallowed The Fly", and I didn't see just how they are almost the same story in many ways - but not in a good way. We have another book called "Marvin Wanted More" (from Joseph Theobald) that ends in a similar fashion, but not as gross. I like the one about Marvin better, and as it makes more sense to my daughter and I, we will be keeping that one. The one about the woman and this one will be resold in a book club, hopefully to a family that might get enjoyment from it. I do see how others might enjoy it, but this book certainly isn't for us.

[Kurt Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fun read for a kid.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was just trying to remember the name of this book so I can find it and gift it to all my friends with kids. Read this to my brother when he was little and he loved it (it helps if you emphasise GLERP ;)) Its cute and fun and easy to re-read.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty simple story, but the kids were screaming with laugher for this one. I might have been my awesome GLERP! burps.

[Danie P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute story that is much like the old lady who swallowed the fly, except with a stone looking glob called "the glerp."

[Mommooshka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love David McPhail's books and illustrations!

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids are highly amused.