Gregory and the Grimbockle by Melanie Schubert: a book review

Gregory and the Grimbockle

By Melanie Schubert

Illustrated by Abigail Kraft

Music by Jared Kraft

New Wrinkle Publishing

Release date: November 9, 2017

My initial thought on looking at the illustrations throughout this book was, “man, this is going to be a fun book! I wonder what it’s about? That little purple character looks quite impish.”

Gregory has “ an enormous oddly shaped mole above his top lip... like a great big dripping of chocolate that had melted down a table in the sun.” People are always trying to wipe it off. One night the “grumpy old women who lived down his street” basically tries to tear it off his face. Poor kid. Gregory is miserable. Later that night, something miraculous happens. Gregory meets a Bockle named Grim.

Gregory and the Grimbockle geared for 8 to 12 year olds is not only fun with its theme of out-of-this-worldly characters, but also has a good value driven message. Who wants to have weakened  “Exoodle threads”? No “hoo-man” that’s for sure. The illustrations are hand sketched in a comforting quality, as if you are creating your own journal with a black graphite pencil on white pages. The two page spreads are impactful additions that help point out the focus for the upcoming chapter. 

A book of 194 pages is nothing to sneeze at for an 8 year old, but it doesn’t seem overwhelming, nor complex for that age level. I think it is because the story is so full of great antics. Twelve year olds won’t think this book is simple either, because as I said before, the value driven message will more than likely affect them the most. Especially as they are stepping into their teen years and their “Exoodle threads” may or may not become thinner in regards to some relationships they might be moving away from.  Even this adult found profound the message of the story. It made me pick up the phone and call my parents. 

As the impish and dutiful worker, Grimbockle the repairer of the “Exoodle threads” shows you the ins and outs of his job, you fall more and more in love with him. He is adorable with his purple skin, red clothes and wavy hair. What an endearing creature Melanie Schubert has created.

Gregory and the Grimbockle has an accompanying soundtrack that helped make this book almost cinematic. I enjoyed the background music with its quiet lulls and dramatic rises while reading the book. Jared Kraft’s music compliments the feel of Ms. Schubert’s book and Abigail Kraft’s illustrations.

Ms. Schubert’s writing style reminds me of Neil Gaiman’s Unfortunately The Milk, in it’s creativity and the fun adventure you happen to experience while reading Gregory and The Grimbockle. Her story lets us step into a world, like Alice going through the Looking Glass, of human compassion, the importance of human relationships and most importantly does it all with an imagination that only a child or someone with a child-like imagination will appreciate.  

I give this book 5 stars for it’s creativity, value driven message and the cinematic quality of the book’s sound track. 

I recommend you give Gregory and the Grimbockle to your favorite 8 to 12 year old for Christmas.

You can preorder Gregory and the Grimbockle and it’s accompanying soundtrack from Amazon Gregory and the Grimbockle or from Barnes and Noble Gregory and the Grimbockle. 

* I received this book from New Wrinkle Publishing in lieu of my honest opinion.