| "Travis Pike gives a storytelling performance that is a sheer delight. Both versions are superb entertainments." [audio and video] |
| “[Grumpuss] is a rhyming epic-style romance in the spirit of the magical stories told by medieval bards before royal courts. It has the lilting playful rhymes of a Dr. Seuss book (albeit not as zany as Seuss) that should captivate any youngster. It has appeal for adults too, a taste of the kind of entertainment that would have pleased the eyes and ears of courtly types before the days of deep dish TV.” [video] |
| “This is classic British
fantasy at its best. Reminiscent of Lewis Carroll, C. S. Lewis, and
J. R. R. Tolkien, Pike's Grumpuss is poignantly true of both the foibles and the triumphs of humankind...quality family entertainment.” [video] |
| “It's something I'll want to show my own children. I'm pretty sure they'd not only be happy they saw it, but they'd also be smarter and nicer people for the experience. What more can one ask for in a children's story?” [video] |
| “The oral storytelling tradition flourishes in Grumpuss...the epic poem itself, which unwinds slowly, engages the wary listener, proving to be touching and suspenseful...easy for all to understand and, at times, downright Dr. Seussian.” [video] |
| “Fantastic . . . a storyteller's dream suitable for all ages except the very young. Get them if you can or persuade your local library to get copies.” [audio and video] |
| "Pike's superb skill as a storyteller elevates the tale to a rare level. The rich language and Pike's voice variations paint vivid pictures in the listener's mind . . . an outstanding choice for school and public library collections" [audio] |
| "Themes of peace, compassion and courage echo through this story, but Pike's telling makes them wonderfully fun yet thought-provoking, and never heavy-handed . . . an outstanding choice for school and public library collections" [video] |
| ««« "Recommended, with reservations." |
| "Pike's imaginative narration
harkens to a medieval storyteller, which REALLY makes this piece work."
[audio]
Bennet
Pomerantz, audiobookcafe.com, Cafe Talk, June 2000
|
| "Ingeniously crafted...full
of action, suspense and memorable characters." [video]
Magus Online
Magazine , January - February 2002, Vol VI
|
GRUMPUSS FAN MAIL
(Please
click on the hypertext link to read the entire letter)
| “I was spellbound” Angie, the Birdfeeder, Center Harbor, New Hampshire |
| “A great adventure in the art of storytelling!” James T. Matheny M.D., Rome, Georgia |
| “Your artful, engaging storytelling had my students on the edge of their seats” |
| “We loved it!” Storyteller Stephen Hollen, the Headbegger, from his hideout in Ohio |
| "So gently told, but gripping . . . Your use of language was beautiful." |
| "You are an inspiration." Kathy Peery, Teacher & Technology Coordinator, California |
| "A grand story woven from many outstanding multitextured strands." |
| "A rare and wonderful gift of story" |
| "The lessons in the story were appreciated by teachers and students alike - particularly the one about listening to the advice of your elders who may know more than you think! Today, more than ever, we need stories that reinforce listening to, understanding and valuing each other." |
SEE ALSO
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(on Travis' Official Homepage) |
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