Book Author and Illustrator Greg Macleod & Herb MacDonald
Rights Available World excl. ANZ
Grumble the troll wants one thing only. Sleep. Long, peaceful, uninterrupted sleep. But living under a bridge means there is always someone clip-clopping, quack-quacking or squelch-squelching over his head. One by one, Grumble bans every noisy creature he meets … then decides to take himself off to find somewhere quieter. Ah, a nice dark cave. Just as he settles in to go to sleep, he finds it might not be the sanctuary he thought. A playful twist on the classic troll tale, full of humour, surprise and very determined animals.
+ A fresh and funny reimagining of the troll under the bridge tale, full of playful interruption and strong read-aloud appeal
+ Brought to life with Herb MacDonald’s funny, warm, and expressive characters that capture the charm of Grumble’s world
+ A lively cast of noisy intruders keeps the pace brisk, from clompy goats and an impatient duck to the determined snail who, when told to “Go home!” simply disappears inside its shell
+ Explores gentle themes of boundaries, belonging, problem-solving and what truly makes a home
About the Author
Greg MacLeod’s school reports often urged him to save his “thespian behaviour” for the school show, and he flunked seventh-form English. Yet words, music, and storytelling never stopped calling. Over the years Greg has performed, sung, directed, and written, eventually arriving at his debut children’s picture book, Grumble’s Bridge, inspired by playful moments with his nephew, Max. An ex school principal, Greg now works as an art teacher, coach and mentor, supporting people in education and other fields. He continues to perform and direct in the Dunedin theatre community.
About the Illustrator
Herb MacDonald has spent his life in the creative world, beginning with a drawing published in a national newspaper at age seven. He worked as a full-time art director before founding his own design studio, partnering with clients across New Zealand, Australia and the USA. Winner of the 2024 Hachette Margaret Mahy Illustration Prize, Herb lives in Auckland and illustrates alongside his design work.
Publisher
Scholastic New Zealand Ltd
Extent
32pp
Format
250 x 240mm
Binding
Paperback
Category
Children’s
Genre
Picture Book
Age range
3+ years
Publication Date
April 2026
Rights Available:
World, excl. ANZ
Rights Agents:
World
Lynette Evans, Scholastic New Zealand Ltd
levans@scholastic.co.nz
© 2022 New Zealand Books | Privacy Policy
