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A hugely entertaining rhyming woodland story about a pair of hoarding magpies and the perils of having too much stuff!

About the Author

Emily Gravett has a rare talent indeed for creating exceptional books for children. The winner of two CILIP Kate Greenaway Medals, her skill and wit are second to none. Emily first sprang into the limelight with the ground-breaking Wolves in 2005, which has been followed by such modern classics as Meerkat Mail, Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears, Monkey and Me and Again! and the fabulous Bear and Hare series for younger readers, as well as the beautiful Tidy, Old Hat and Cyril and Pat. Each book is unique and different from the last - and each features endearing, beautifully drawn characters that touch the heart and tickle the funny bone. Emily lives in Brighton with her family.

Reviews

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!
*Daily Mail*

energetic storytelling, brilliantly characterful creatures and [an] abundance of visual wit
*The Bookseller*

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?
*ReadingZone*

It has everything you want in a story – drama, excitement, humor, warmth, friendship, a message that’s carefully woven into it and the gorgeous illustrations you’d expect from Emily Gravett
*Bellis Does Books*

Her most recent book is no exception. What struck me first is its glossiness; for both the dust jacket and the hardback cover hiding underneath are bright and shiny and shout out to be picked up by a reader and opened. The inside leaves contain vintage style advertisements, which may appeal more to an adult reader than a child, but as they are bright and fun they will at the very least provide a talking point, which is also important for children’s development. Too Much Stuf ! is a funny story told in rhyme about a pair of expectant parent magpies who collect a lot of things for their nest, because they think ‘stuff’ is what their chicks will need. Overloaded it all comes tumbling down and the parents frantically search for their precious eggs amongst the chaos, finally appreciating that what actually matters is the safety of their eggs and not the possessions they accumulated
*Books Up North*

Too much of a good thing tips the balance into disaster in an outrageously witty and clever picture book from multi-talented author and illustrator Emily Gravett. As Christmas draws near, Gravett – winner of two CILIP Kate Greenaway Medals – works her trademark animal magic on a beautifully imagined, cautionary tale about the dangers of having (or wanting!) too many things. Packed with gorgeous illustrations, creative rhymes, and timely messages, Too Much Stuff is set in the same forest as Gravett’s award-winning book Tidy, featuring a host of gorgeous woodland animals, including clean-up king, Pete the badger. [...] Gravett again uses her artistic skills, creative imagination and a cast of adoring animals to convey gentle messages to little ones as well as delivering a tasty visual and verbal Christmas treat full of exquisitely detailed artwork, storytelling surprises and laugh-out-loud fun. And with extra special, artistic detail on the book jacket and end pages of this sumptuously produced hardback, this is the perfect gift for the season of giving… and receiving!
*Lancashire Evening Post and Regional Syndicates*

I love Emily Gravett’s Too Much Stuff (Two Hoots £12.99), not simply because of the wonderful Gravett illustrations, but because I am a hoarder and so were the two magpies who were trying to do their best for their eggs. Bicycles, brooms, clocks, socks, all were piled into the nest and her pictures of the result are hilarious. Finally the too-caring Mum and Dad magpie decide they should add on a car with disastrous results. Never mind, homes are found for all the tat and once everything is cleared up, what is found underneath is four beautiful magpie chicks. A wonderful book to laugh over with children (and hoarders) of any age
*Newbury Today and Newbury Weekly News*

This story has all the hallmarks of an Emily Gravett book: timelessness, warmth and fun. A strong rhythm and beat build up an exciting pace and, coupled with classic illustrations, mean families will find this playful story irresistible.
*BookTrust*

Fans of classic woodland tales, children who delight in the detail of a picture book and all those who want to do more for the environment will absolutely love this story
*Armadillo Newsletter*

Her books are our favorite. The illustrations are always beautiful
*Petite Side of Style*

I’m a big family of Emily Gravett and love all of her books but I’ve got to say that I think this one is my favourite! With a strong environmental message, fantastic plot and exquisite illustrations, it teaches young children such an important message about having too much stuff and how objects can be repurposed and recycled after we’re finished with them! This incredible book is being published today and would be very well suited to any young eco warrior out there!
*Stories for Little Ones*

A perfect rhyming tale for read-aloud, guaranteed to give you all the giggles! It would also make a fun gift to parents expecting their first child – who tend to be bombarded by marketing and feel as if they need *all* the things to keep their child happy and healthy! And of course it turns out that the most important things are love and a warm nest
*Little Library Owl*

A pitch perfect rhyming story about two magpies on a quest to furnish their nest in time for the arrival of their brood of spring chicks. The attention to detail in the illustration and book design of this delightful picture book is a sight to behold. Complete with die cut dust jacket and illustrated end papers little ones will delight in disappearing into the woods on a hilarious picture book adventure
*The Booksniffer*

A gentle, funny and very beautifully illustrated poem, with a little frisson of anxiety when the tree collapses, about waste and recycling – a good way to introduce children to the idea of recycling useful things. As ever with Emily Gravett – there is a great deal going on in all the illustrations – lots to see and talk about, all beautifully laid out across the double-page spreads. The end papers are particularly fun, containing adverts for some of the items in the book – and also an advert for libraries! I particularly liked the 4 ‘R’s of Recycling right at the back of the book! This will become a class and personal favourite for many people – children and adults alike – and could provide the basis for class projects on recycling, too.
*Love Reading*

The artwork is full of the usual humor and witty details we have come to expect from Gravett, it’s stunning. As I said at the start of this review, Emily Gravett really is a formidable talent and this book is a big hit in our house!
*Bookish Way To Play*

We’re huge fans of Tidy by Emily, so I was really excited to see that Too Much Stuff is set in the same forest, with several familiar characters (Pete the badger!). The illustrations are just as beautiful, and I’m in awe of Emily’s ability to write flowing rhyme - Too Much Stuff is wonderful to read aloud. It’s a brilliant story with a valuable environmental message - there’s an emphasis on the importance of reusing and recycling as all the woodland animals chip in to repurpose the things the magpies have accumulated. The sense that friendship and family are the most important things that we need comes across strongly... a message that feels particularly relevant this year!
*Little Reader Loves*

‘Too Much Stuff!’ is just perfect for using in school, not only because of its powerful pleas for focusing on the important things in life and recycling, but for the many storytelling opportunities offered by the illustrations.
*North Somerset Book Award blog*

Too Much Stuff is a masterpiece. Packed with humour, delightful illustrations, a heart-warming story and subtle but important themes on materialism and the environment to inspire children and adults alike. This is one of my top picks of 2020 and a book we will cherish for many years to come!
*Gift Book Blogger*