Too Much Stuff

Emily Gravett

Ages 3-5
29 October 2020
9781509857333
40 pages

Synopsis

Shortlisted for the Yoto Kate Greenaway Medal 2022.

From the creator of modern classic Meerkat Mail comes a very funny woodland story showing the dangers of having too much stuff. Too Much Stuff is set in the same forest as Gravett’s award-winning Tidy, it features a host of gorgeous woodland animals, including Pete the badger.

Meg and Ash are a pair of magpies who are building a nest for their perfect eggs. Although they begin their nest construction using the usual mud, sticks and grass, Meg and Ash are soon convinced that their nest doesn’t have enough stuff and begin to collect more things to add to an ever-growing pile. From cuckoo clocks to mops and socks, a pram and even a car – their need for stuff seems endless. Until – crash! – the inevitable happens.

Emily Gravett's engaging, exquisitely illustrated story will appeal to fans of Tidy and of such classics as The Animals of Farthing Wood and the glorious package including a double-sided jacket with shaped flaps, make it a perfect gift for young eco-warriors . . . and for everyone.

A timely message about over-consumption and recycling underpins this engaging rhyming story of a pair of magpies who build a nest for their eggs but decide that they need an improbable and ultimately preposterous amount of stuff to fill it with. Gravett’s slyly funny illustrations burst with detail and even the end papers are in on the joke. Pass it on!
energetic storytelling, brilliantly characterful creatures and [an] abundance of visual wit
A simple story that has a very deep message for young people - material objects are not the most important thing in life. In a world filled with 'stuff', showing off and material gratification, this picture teaches young children that gratification is not made by filling one's nest (home) with 'things' but filled by realizing what the most important things are in your life. Too Much Stuff is a fantastic rhyming story using two magpies (known for collecting shiny objects) who fall in love and build a nest together...This picture book is an important book for children to read. It is perfect for an early year's environment as it leads into so many activities - discussions, drawing and writing activities such as: what would you put in your nest? The colorful and animated illustrations are also perfect to read to very young children as each character has clear expressions on their face... A picture book that has beautiful illustrations, a lovely story and an important message; what more could you ask for?

Books by Emily Gravett