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Blabber Mouth #1
Blabber Mouth
Two hours ago, when I walked into this school for the first time, the sun was shining, the birds were singing and, apart from a knot in my guts the size of Tasmania, life was great.
Now here I am, locked in a stationery cupboard.
Rowena wants to be friends but the other kids don't.
Is it because she's just stuffed a frog into Darryn Peck's mouth? Or is it because of her dad? How can she tell him that his shirts, and his habit of singing in public, are wrecking her life?
It's not easy - especially when you can't speak.
Now here I am, locked in a stationery cupboard.
Rowena wants to be friends but the other kids don't.
Is it because she's just stuffed a frog into Darryn Peck's mouth? Or is it because of her dad? How can she tell him that his shirts, and his habit of singing in public, are wrecking her life?
It's not easy - especially when you can't speak.
114 pages, Paperback
First published January 27, 1995
14 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 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.
February 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️ GOOD
Blabber Mouth hits me with pure childhood nostalgia. I read this as a kid, and picking it up again feels like stepping back into that stage of life where everything is a bit embarrassing, a bit funny, and way more intense than it needs to be. It has that unmistakable Morris Gleitzman energy, fast, cheeky, and completely tuned into how kids actually think and talk.
The main character’s nonstop voice feels especially familiar if you remember being the kid who said too much or thought too fast. It’s chaotic in a comforting way, like listening to your own inner monologue from years ago. As a child reader, that honesty mattered, it felt like someone was finally speaking my language.
What stays with me now is how gentle the book is. Beneath the jokes and noise, there’s warmth, kindness, and a real affection for growing up awkward. It doesn’t try to teach a lesson or be clever, it just lets kids be kids. That’s probably why it stuck with me then, and why it still feels fond and familiar now.
Blabber Mouth hits me with pure childhood nostalgia. I read this as a kid, and picking it up again feels like stepping back into that stage of life where everything is a bit embarrassing, a bit funny, and way more intense than it needs to be. It has that unmistakable Morris Gleitzman energy, fast, cheeky, and completely tuned into how kids actually think and talk.
The main character’s nonstop voice feels especially familiar if you remember being the kid who said too much or thought too fast. It’s chaotic in a comforting way, like listening to your own inner monologue from years ago. As a child reader, that honesty mattered, it felt like someone was finally speaking my language.
What stays with me now is how gentle the book is. Beneath the jokes and noise, there’s warmth, kindness, and a real affection for growing up awkward. It doesn’t try to teach a lesson or be clever, it just lets kids be kids. That’s probably why it stuck with me then, and why it still feels fond and familiar now.
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.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews