If you were at school or were a teacher between 1979 and 1992 you would know Grug. 
This hairy, brown and yellow striped character inhabited a series of books written by Australian author, Ted Prior. (Soon to be re-published by Simon & Schuster, Australia from June, 2009).
So, why a miracle worker?
Let me tell you first about Grug. Set in the Australian bush (and city), this small fictional character was formed when the top fell off a burrawang tree (altho it’s looks more of a Native Grasstree to me). Grug is like a strange haystack with large eyes and fat legs.
Doesn’t sound like something that’d appeal to kids, does he? But, oh boy, the kids in my Family Group class of 5 to 9-year-olds at Woodridge North State School in the 1980s adored him.
Was it his funny sense of humour? Or the colourful illustrations? Or those tricky situations Grug continually got himself into? It was all of these, and more.
Some of the 25 titles included:
- Grug and the big red apple
- Grug and the green paint
- Grug learns to swim
- Grug goes to school
It’s hardly worth telling you what these stories are about – the story lines are simple. But the different expressions on Grug’s face are sublime, and the words perfectly chosen.
I bought my own Grug books to use with the kids in Family Red at Woodridge North State School because we never seemed to have enough resources. There were 4 rooms of Years 1,2,3 in the Junior School and I was a novice teacher. The books were very small so we made Big Books of our own to use with groups – oh yes, we were well and truly into the Whole Language approach to teaching reading. The kids drew and painted their own interpretations of the story and I printed the words.
Then students began to make up their own booklets with Grug as the hero. The older children in the group wrote the words for the younger ones – a true mentorship program. We explored phonics, comprehension, science, art, geography and language through the genius of Ted Prior and the magic of Grug.
Rodney was seven, under-developed, and failing to learn to read. He told me trying to read was ‘sticky, like syrup’. I knew Rodney could think well, but he was overcome with the abstract world of the alphabet. He gave up.
So, one day I made a Grug puppet out of brown wool with large, plastic eyes that wobbled. I bribed Rodney – he could look after Grug if he had a go at reading Grug’s stories. Every day, that child headed straight for the row of Grug books, and the larger Grug’s Word Book.
He drew pictures – something he was very good at – and slowly, surely, Rodney also tried to copy Ted Prior’s words and sentences. He began to read in halting sentences, becoming more fluent. He probably knew the stories off by heart, but that didn’t matter.
Within a couple of months, Rodney ‘got it’. It was like the light had switched on over those abstract letters and he knew he could read.
I put this little miracle down to this small, brown, stripey book creature, Grug.
Here’s a Youtube animation made in 2005 of the first story, Grug.
Enjoy!
Sheryl Gwyther 
We were into Whole Language, too, in my little bush school. I still believe in class-made big books. In fact, one of the characters my kids invented is rattling around in my picture book head, waiting for me to finish blogging and return to writing.
Thanks for the reminder.Yes, I remember Grug. And I remember Rodney!
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Know that feeling! Sometimes the best photos are accidents – everything collides at the perfect moment in time.
We holiday on the other side of Burleigh Headland with a view out to sea. Perfect spot.
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Yes, that was taken from the bar of the Coollangatta Surf Club. I love the Monet type colours, soft purples, purely accidental, I’m a terrible photographer.
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I do recognise my part in the lives of quite a few children in their early years – both good and not so good. But mostly good!
Remind me to tell you about the swear words and the bar of soap one day. Mmmm, best not mention that episode!
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I loved Grug as a kid! We had several of his books – favourites with my brother and I. Wonderful story about how books can really change kid’s lives. Even more than the books though Sheryl, I hope you recognise the part you clearly played in that little boy’s life.
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Thanks, Paul.
No, I haven’t heard of Irene Gough (I wonder if she’s related to Sue Gough?) Notice her writing is in the National Library archives, and I bet there are lots of her books in the fabulous historic collection of children’s books in the basement of the South Australian’s state library. I got to see them on a May Gibbs residency.
I recognise that picture you have on the heading of your blog – not far from Burleigh Heads?
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What a wonderful story about the power of art. Woodridge must have been an interesting place to teach, especially in the 80’s. Have you ever heard of Irene Gough? She wrote a book of beautiful Australian nature poems called “One Sunday Morning Early.” It was given to me when I was 7 or 8 years old, I still have it and I credit it for instilling in me a love of poetry that has persisted for over thirty years. She is a much neglected Australian poet and children’s author I think. Your story reminded me of that book, thankyou.
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He certainly made an impression on many people. It’s great to see them resurrecting Grug.
I’d love to get in touch with Ted Prior now that I’m a children’s author.
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I guess I must have some ‘Grug’ memories stored away somewhere – as soon as you said his name, I knew what he’d look like. Amazing what we store away from our childhood, isn’t it. Go, Grug!
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Great story Sheryl.
I remember Grug. He was cute. But it sounds as if he was more than just cute – he was inspirational too. thanks for sharing this.
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