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Complete Series Guide

Grug Books in Order

All 47 Grug books by Ted Prior, organised by era and reading level. Whether you're starting from the beginning or filling gaps in a collection, this is the complete list.

47 books total
Ages 1–8
Series began 1979
By Ted Prior

How to use this guide

Starting out (ages 1–3)

Start with the board books — ABC, 123, Colours, and Animals. These are designed for the youngest readers and are the most durable format.

Building the collection (ages 3–6)

Move to the core paperback series. Start with the original Grug, then follow whichever adventure sounds appealing. There's no strict order — each book stands alone.

Complete the set

Add the later additions for newer stories, seasonal books for Christmas and Easter, and hardback editions as keepsakes or gifts.

Ages 1–3 Start here for the youngest readers

Board Books

Sturdy, durable, and designed for tiny hands. These introduce counting, colours, the alphabet, and Australian animals — all with Grug as the guide. Published 2021–2022 by Simon & Schuster Australia.

Grug Colours Board Book book cover

Grug Colours Board Book

Board Book · 6th July 2022

Learn all the colours of the rainbow with Grug! This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters! Grug teaches the basic building blocks of learning, the alphabet and numbers, in a fabulous Australian setting.

Grug Board Book book cover

Grug Board Book

Board Book · 6th July 2022

Once the top of a Burrawang tree fell to the ground and became ... Grug! This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters!

Grug ABC Board Book book cover

Grug ABC Board Book

Board Book · 6th July 2022

Learn the alphabet with Grug! This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters

Grug 123 Board Book book cover

Grug 123 Board Book

Board Book · 6th July 2022

Learn to count with Grug! This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters! One big red apple Two yellow flowers Three bright balloons…

Grug Animals Board Book book cover

Grug Animals Board Book

Board Book · 6th July 2022

Which Aussie animals will we meet with Grug? This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters!

Ages 3–8 The foundational series

The Core Series

The original Grug adventures, written through the 1980s and republished in 2009 by Simon & Schuster Australia. Start with Grug — the origin story — then follow any adventure that catches your eye. Each book stands alone.

Start here

The original Grug — the one that began with the top of a Burrawang tree falling to the ground — is the natural first book. It introduces the character, his home, his bush setting, and the quiet tone that all 47 books share. After that, the order is genuinely up to you.

Grug Learns to Fly book cover

Grug Learns to Fly

Paperback · 1st June 2010

Join Grug in his sky-high adventure as he learns to fly like the birds!

Grug and his Imaginary Friend book cover

Grug and his Imaginary Friend

Paperback · 1st June 2010

Meet Gubby - Grug's imaginary friend

Grug Learns to Read book cover

Grug Learns to Read

Paperback · 1st March 2010

Grug loves looking at the pictures in books, but one day he decides to teach himself how to read the words. Soon he can enjoy his favourite book of all - Grug

Grug and the Circus book cover

Grug and the Circus

Paperback · 1st March 2010

One day Grug was daydreaming when he saw the top of a very large tent. It was a circus! See what happens when Grug starts his own circus!

Grug Goes Shopping book cover

Grug Goes Shopping

Paperback · June 2009

Visit a bush market and buy all your supplies with Grug! This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters!

Grug and His Bicycle book cover

Grug and His Bicycle

Paperback · June 2009

You'll never forget how to ride a bicycle when you learn with Grug! This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters!

Grug and His Kite book cover

Grug and His Kite

Paperback · 1st July 2009

Startle the birds and touch the sky with Grug!

Grug at the Zoo book cover

Grug at the Zoo

Paperback · 1st July 2009

One day Grug visited the animals at the zoo. Which animals did he meet? What will all the other animals make of Grug?

Grug Plays Soccer book cover

Grug Plays Soccer

Paperback · June 2009

A brand-new goal for Cara and Grug

Grug Builds a Car book cover

Grug Builds a Car

Paperback · June 2009

All aboard the Grugmobile, the only car designed and engineered by Grug

Grug Learns to Cook book cover

Grug Learns to Cook

Paperback · 1st July 2009

Try some scrumptious gum-leaf rolls prepared by Grug!

Grug Learns to Dance book cover

Grug Learns to Dance

Paperback · June 2009

Rediscover Grug, that unforgettable hero of the Australian bush. Jump and shout and do the Grruggg!

Grug at the Snow book cover

Grug at the Snow

Paperback · 1st July 2009

Who is dashing through the snow on a homemade sleigh? Grug!

Grug Plays Cricket book cover

Grug Plays Cricket

Paperback · 1st July 2009

Cricket is another ball game altogether with Grug!

Grug Builds a Boat book cover

Grug Builds a Boat

Paperback · 1st July 2009

Join Grug on his boat-building adventure! Be inventive and resourceful and set sail with Grug!

Grug and His Music book cover

Grug and His Music

Paperback · June 2009

March to the beat of your own drum, just like Grug!

Grug Meets Snoot book cover

Grug Meets Snoot

Paperback · 1st June 2009

An echidna called Snoot is the perfect, prickly friend for Grug!

Grug Goes Fishing book cover

Grug Goes Fishing

Paperback · June 2009

Who can do everything but catch a fish? Grug!

Grug and the Rainbow book cover

Grug and the Rainbow

Paperback · 1st June 2009

Make a rainbow that really lasts with Grug!

Grug Has a Birthday book cover

Grug Has a Birthday

Paperback · 1st June 2009

Birthdays should be filled with cake and fun and Grug!

Grug and the Big Red Apple book cover

Grug and the Big Red Apple

Paperback · 1st June 2009

Discover the law of relativity with Grug!

Grug in the Playground book cover

Grug in the Playground

Paperback · June 2009

Playgrounds are full of fun and challenges for Grug!

Grug and the Green Paint book cover

Grug and the Green Paint

Paperback · 1st June 2009

Being green is about more than paint ... ask Grug!

Grug Learns to Swim book cover

Grug Learns to Swim

Paperback · June 2009

Splash and paddle and float with Grug!

Grug and His Garden book cover

Grug and His Garden

Paperback · June 2009

Who will make sure all the creatures in the garden have something to eat? Grug!

Ages 3–8 2014–2020 additions

Later Additions

New Grug stories written after the 2009 republication. These follow the same format and tone as the original series, with some tackling subjects — superheroes, bushfires, getting lost — that feel distinctly more recent.

Grug and the Bushfire book cover

Grug and the Bushfire

Hardcover · 1st November 2020

It had not rained for a long time. The grass around Grug's house was very dry and brown. Many leaves were falling from the trees. One very, very hot day Grug noticed a cloud of smoke in the distance. It seemed to be getting closer and closer to his home. Then Cara hurriedly slithered up and said 'It's a bushfire!' Grug had never seen a bushfire. 'We should be safe in your house', said Cara, 'because you live under the ground.' Grug is back from the bush to remind us of the importance of looking after each other, renewing the Australian wilderness and the caution we all need to take during the bushfire season. Join your favourite bush character in this very special exclusive hardback, the first all new Grug since 2016 and the 35th title in the Grug series.

Grug Goes to School book cover

Grug Goes to School

Hardcover · 16th December 2019

What will you learn at school today with Grug? This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters! Grug Goes to School available in hardback for the first time in January 2020.

Grug at the Beach book cover

Grug at the Beach

Hardcover · 4th November 2019

Join your favourite bush character on his adventures with an exclusive hardback edition of the beloved Grug at the Beach. Grug at the Beach available in hardback for the first time in October 2019.

Grug and His First Easter book cover

Grug and His First Easter

Hardcover · 1st March 2019

Discover the magic of Easter with Grug, now in hardback – the perfect gift for younger readers One warm sunny day, Grug discovers that Easter is on its way. Then he is visited by a mysterious creature, who leaves treats of special eggs for Grug to find. Grug decides to hide some eggs in the forest for his bush friends to find – and delivers a special egg for a special friend. Will he ever find out who the mysterious creature is?

Grug and His First Christmas book cover

Grug and His First Christmas

Hardcover · 1st October 2018

Jingle all the way to Christmas with the very first Grug hardback – the perfect gift for younger readers. Grug's first Christmas means lots of lovely surprises for Grug's bush friends. Everyone is learning that giving and receiving on this special day is what Christmas is all about ... ... and waking up on Christmas morning is the most wondrous moment of all!

Grug Gets Lost book cover

Grug Gets Lost

Paperback · 1st October 2015

One day, on his way home from shopping, Grug finds his path blocked by a fallen tree. Grug walks around the tree, but then he can't see the path. He keeps walking, but he's never been into this part of the forest before. The forest is very dark. And the trees begin to look like faces. Then a wallaby rushes past. Grug is frightened! Although he is very scared, he is also very tired. He closes his eyes and soon he is asleep. When he wakes up, he can see some light coming through the tall trees. He walks towards it. Soon Grug is out in the open. Then he sees Cara's hollow log. 'Not far to go now,' says Grug. Safe in his burrow, Grug is very happy. 'There's no place like home,' he says.

Grug Meets a Dinosaur book cover

Grug Meets a Dinosaur

Paperback · 1st October 2015

One hot morning, Grug decides to go to the creek for a swim. On his way there, he spots a strange creature lying on a rock. It looks like a dinosaur! The dinosaur chases Grug to the creek, and it follows him. Grug swims across the creek, and so does the dinosaur. Grug sits down for a rest under a tree. But where has the dinosaur gone? Then something falls on Grug's head. It's the dinosaur! Grug runs, with the dinosaur clinging to him. Grug trips over Cara's hollow log, and the dinosaur flies off Grug. Cara comes out to see what's happening. Grug and Cara look at the dinosaur. The dinosaur looks at them. Then it slithers off into the bush. Cara sighs. 'Just a goanna,' she says.

Grug the Superhero book cover

Grug the Superhero

Paperback · 1st October 2014

One morning, Grug wakes up and decides to become a superhero. Wearing a cape and a mask, and a sword made from sticks, Grug and Cara, his best friend, transform the Grugmobile into the Zoom Zoom Car and head off to save someone. But the Zoom Zoom Car has too much zoom and Grug and Cara discover that if they can't save someone else, they can at least save themselves.

Seasonal Holiday titles

Seasonal Books

Grug's Christmas and Easter adventures — ideal gifts and seasonal reads. Both follow the same gentle format as the rest of the series.

Grug and His First Easter book cover

Grug and His First Easter

Hardcover · 1st March 2019

Discover the magic of Easter with Grug, now in hardback – the perfect gift for younger readers One warm sunny day, Grug discovers that Easter is on its way. Then he is visited by a mysterious creature, who leaves treats of special eggs for Grug to find. Grug decides to hide some eggs in the forest for his bush friends to find – and delivers a special egg for a special friend. Will he ever find out who the mysterious creature is?

Grug and His First Christmas book cover

Grug and His First Christmas

Hardcover · 1st October 2018

Jingle all the way to Christmas with the very first Grug hardback – the perfect gift for younger readers. Grug's first Christmas means lots of lovely surprises for Grug's bush friends. Everyone is learning that giving and receiving on this special day is what Christmas is all about ... ... and waking up on Christmas morning is the most wondrous moment of all!

Premium Hardback editions

Hardback Editions

Premium hardback versions of classic titles, released from 2019 onwards. Same stories, sturdier format — ideal as gifts or keepsakes. Many are first-time hardback editions of beloved original stories.

Grug and the Rainbow Hardback book cover

Grug and the Rainbow Hardback

Hardcover · 1st February 2023

Make a rainbow that really lasts with Grug! This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters. Grug and the Rainbow is now available as an exclusive hardback!

Grug Plays Cricket Hardback book cover

Grug Plays Cricket Hardback

Hardcover · 3rd November 2022

Cricket is another ball game altogether with Grug! This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters! Grug Plays Cricket available in hardback for the first time in October 2022.

Grug has a Birthday Hardback book cover

Grug has a Birthday Hardback

Hardcover · 7th September 2022

Birthdays should be filled with cake and fun and Grug! This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters!

Grug Hardback book cover

Grug Hardback

Hardcover · 17th August 2022

Once the top of a Burrawang tree fell to the ground … and the grassy top began to change. It became Grug. This classic Aussie hero is back from the bush to enchant a new generation of youngsters! Grug available as a standalone hardback for the first time in August 2022.

Collections Box sets and bundles

Box Sets & Collections

Curated collections and complete box sets — the best option if you're building a library from scratch or looking for a gift with serious range.

Grug My First Library cover

Grug My First Library

Board Book · 1st September 2021

Learn to read with Grug! Enjoy the complete box set of 5 classic board books, now in large format for the first time. All 5 classic Grug board books now in large format for the first time, in a shrinkwrapped slipcase. The perfect gift for toddlers! Each box set contains: Grug​​ ​Grug 123 Grug ABC ​Grug Animals Grug Colours

Grug 40th Anniversary Celebration Book and Plush Box cover

Grug 40th Anniversary Celebration Book and Plush Box

Toy or Toy Pack · 1st June 2019

Join your favourite bush character on his adventures with an exclusive hardback edition of the original Grug story and a cute and cuddly soft toy. Celebrate 40 years of Grug with an exclusive hardback and soft cuddly toy in this gorgeous box set Once the top of a Burrawang tree fell to the ground … and the grassy top began to change. It became Grug.

Grug Complete Box Set cover

Grug Complete Box Set

Paperback · 1st November 2017

The ultimate collection of the million copy bestseller Grug - the complete set with all 34 titles This classic Australian book series is now available in one big, beautiful bumper box. Perfect for early readers, this beautifully designed package contains: Grug Grug at the Beach Grug and His Bicycle Grug and the Big Red Apple Grug Builds a Boat Grug Builds a Car Grug and His Garden Grug Goes Fishing Grug Goes to School Grug and the Green Paint Grug Has a Birthday Grug and His Kite Grug Learns to Cook Grug Learns to Dance Grug Learns to Swim Grug Meets Snoot Grug and His Music Grug in the Playground Grug Plays Cricket Grug Plays Soccer Grug and the Rainbow Grug Goes Shopping Grug at the Snow Grug at the Zoo Grug and His First Christmas Grug Learns to Read Grug and the Circus Grug and his Imaginary Friend Grug Learns to Fly Grug Goes to Hospital Grug the Superhero Grug Gets Lost Grug Meets a Dinosaur Grug and His First Easter

Grug Favourites Collection cover

Grug Favourites Collection

Multi-Copy Pack · 6th June 2011

The original collection of some of the best Grug titles in a fabulous blue slipcase. Titles included are: Grug Grug Goes to Hospital Grug and the Big Red Apple Grug Learns to Fly Grug Learns to Read Grug Goes Fishing Grug and the Green Paint Grug Learns to Dance Grug Goes to School Grug and the Circus

Grug Goes to Hospital cover

Grug Goes to Hospital

Multi-Copy Pack · 1st September 2010

Poor Grug has hurt himself! Keep him company as he goes to hospitalOh no! Grug is hurt when he falls from a rope and needs a visit to the hospital. After a short stay hospital with Cara as his doctor and nurse, Grug is swiftly on the mend.

Browse the full catalogue

See all 47 books with full details, cover images, and purchase links.