Adopt a Glurb!

Balloon Toons

by Elise Gravel

With simple text and cartoon artwork, Balloon Toons™ are the the perfect way to engage and encourage new readers. Award-winning and up-and-coming cartoonists lend their inimitable and illustrative talents to entertaining stories kids will enjoy again and again.

Graphic designer Elise Gravel is an expert in Glurbs. What's a Glurb? A funny little monster who yells really loud, eats ten times his body weight daily, and loves unrolling toilet paper. Kids will discover everything it takes to keep a Glurb healthy and happy.

Genres: Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Humor, Childrens, Epic

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2010

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

GLURB! Everyone needs at least one! Loved the art!

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first thought upon opening this book was that this little creature looks like a deranged Furbie. As it turns out, though, Glurbs are even stranger than that! They love sports, and can draw with a pencil, but they smell like rotten mustard, and eats ten times their own weight. I was reminded somewhat of Invisible Inkling, Emily Jenkins's new chapter book about a strange and mysterious pet, but this was ten times sillier. I really like the fact that the Glurb is easy enough to draw that kids could create their own stories, and I'm also happy to have something to recommend to those boys who want funny, gross books, but aren't quite ready for Captain Underpants. I'm not sure I agree with the Blurg's assessment on the cover, that he is cute, but I do think this story will be well-received by second grade boys everywhere.

[pika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute, but gross.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this little book, but not as much as the "competition" from Toon Books. One problem I had was that this one occasionally suffered from age-range creep, with humor that seemed aimed at older kids, while supposedly aimed at beginning readers.
Still, I think it would be funny to any child who has had a pet, or understands the idea of pets.
The artwork is cute and cartoony, but nothing special. I had difficulty understanding why anyone would WANT a Glurb, based on their looks, but some people will take anything home...

[Stephen Twelker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another comic that had my kid's imagination running wild for months -- in a good way. Funny and well-drawn artwork, completely silly descriptions and some nice subtext about taking care of your pets.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little graphic novel for younger children is lots of fun. Love all of the quirky facts about glurbs: favorite hobby is unrolling toilet paper, they love plucking your eyebrows at night while you sleep, and they love jazz music and making their own sandwiches.

[Paula Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the breezy style and humor. Chickpeas as soccer balls? Brilliant.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Use this as a writing prompt - kids can invent an animal and write the care instructions.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this graphic novel for early readers - a fun twist on getting to know a new pet. whimsical and delightful.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious book for children. A fun read to the wee ones.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this graphic novel. My beginner readers would love the hilarious Little glurbs. Just noticed it today at my public library.

[Limeminearia · Rating 5 out of 5]

adorable.

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable. Love these Balloon Toons titles!

[Tracy Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books ever.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must have a Glurb or two! This book was fun!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0

[Mkb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so excited this is out in English. I bought it for kids last Christmas in French. I love it.

[Francis S. Poesy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't get enough of Elise Gravel's work. So much fun! I would have eaten up these books as a kid.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is basically a description of my cat. What charming, goofy creatures. :)

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not quite my favourite Elise Gravel - it’s cute but not quite as funny as most of her books. But still, five stars. Always.

[Lindsay Lodge · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't for me, but the idea of glurbs playing football with a chickpea made me smile!

[René · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un texte amusant avec de jolis dessins, mais je crains que ça plaise surtout aux adultes qu’aux enfants. On va l’essayer avec Lire et Faire Lire.

[Mouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book.....just silly silly cute!
My boy absolutely loved it and one day I came home and he had drawn and hid Glurbs all over the place. So I hid some over the door to his room...Lol.

[Sally Bruesewitz]

The adventures of owning a pet Glurb. Not to be confused with a pet rock (I know this dates me!). A Glurb is a cute, mischievous monster that you can raise from an egg that can be found under rocks. Book describes how to care for one as a pet. Book has easy text and lots of cartoon drawings to engage new readers, especially boys. AR rates this graphic novel at 2.7.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I never could figure out what a glurb is, but I learned they are a lot of work. I am not sure who this type of graphic novel would appeal to.

[Kaethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute intro to graphic novels for young kids.

Library copy.