Grumble is a troll who lives under a bridge out in the countryside. He is different to the trolls we’ve heard about before.
All he wants in life is a quiet place to sleep. This bridge seemed perfect… until… yep you guessed it. A goat comes trip-tropping over the bridge.
Grumble was just about to doze off! How dare something disturb him! He is even cross enough to threaten to EAT the goat. The goat however, doesn’t believe him.
“TRY ME, no goats! Off you go!” yells Grumble.
Settling back down to sleep, another noise wakes him, then another, and another!
Grumble grumbles even more as his snooze is interrupted again and again. So much so, that he decides to try somewhere else.
Poor Grumble.
A funny, new take on the classic Norwegian Fairytale, The Billy Goats Gruff, with an ending that will make little listeners laugh, but is not so good for Grumble.
Grumble’s Bridge was submitted to Scholastic New Zealand’s 2025 ‘Share the Love’ competition – where manuscripts are submitted on February 14th of each year.
This fun picture book is illustrated by Herb MacDonald who is a full time art director and illustrator with his own design agency. Herb MacDonald was the Winner of the 2024 Hachette Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize.
I’m hoping for more collaborations by these talented creatives, because Grumble’s Bridge is a delight. I love the size and power of Grumble, against the determined and unafraid animals who have somewhere to be – across his bridge.
Author – Greg MacLeod
Illustrator – Herb MacDonald
Picture Book
(2026, Scholastic NZ, Retelling, Norwegian Fairytale, Troll, Animals, Humour, Funny, Sleep, Snooze, Grumpy)