1 out of 5
AWFUL
by
Absolute racket! The mouse sounds like a pantomime witch. The most irritating tonie I’ve listened to. Butchered a lovely story. Awful!
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02days
23hours
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3.7
3.5 out of 5
121 reviews
64% would recommend this product
What parents are saying
AI summary of customer 121 reviewsCustomers overwhelmingly praise the story's appeal and its powerful impact on children, who listen repeatedly and recite lines word-for-word. Many describe it as a beloved bedtime staple supporting early language development. However, narration quality divides reviewers sharply—some find the voice performance energetic and engaging, while others consider it harsh and mismatched with the story's tone. Several note the 17-minute runtime feels short for the price. Despite polarizing narration, most customers affirm the story itself remains a cherished favorite that children adore.
Customer photos
1-15 of 109 written reviews
- 1 out of 5
The worst purchase you might ever make
byThis is the worst voice adaptation you will ever find. The Geneva Convention would ban this from being used as a method of torture, it’s that jarring to listen to.
- 1 out of 5
Useless
byShort story with annoying noises in it so totally useless for bedtime.
- 4 out of 5
Great story
byHonestly the tonie does exactly what it should. It reads the story as it is I don’t understand what the other reviewers was expecting. Fab story and well read!
- 1 out of 5
Terrible version - frantic, loud, jarring
byIt’s incredibly jarring and frantic. If you’re expecting a calm bedtime version, this isn’t it. The voices are harsh and shrill. I really wish you could get the audio from the Magic Light film version as the narration and orchestration is gorgeous. This version is both terrible and slightly terrifying.
- 3 out of 5
Disappointing
byA little disappointing. The voices could be better.
- 3 out of 5
Absolutely average
byMy son love it. But I think its rubbish. Only 1 story and 1 really annoying song. 🙄 it fair gets on your nerves.
- 2 out of 5
You can do better
byFar too short despite the long pauses, and an extremely grating voice that becomes unpleasant very quickly. Not recommended
- 4 out of 5
Great tonie
byThis is a great tonie, unfortunately my daughter was afraid of the growling so we only partly listened to it once
- 1 out of 5
Annoying narration
byDon’t enjoy the narration of this at all!! It’s overly animated and actually quite annoying. My daughter doesn’t mind it but does lose interest quite quickly. It’s also frustrating how it takes 20 seconds or so to even get to the story because of the introduction. The song is fine, but for a 2 track Tonie, it’s not worth buying. Such a shame given the popularity of the book
- 5 out of 5
Lola loves the Gruffalo !
byMy granddaughter is such a huge fan of the Gruffalo and absolutely adores this Tonie. A great story you never get tired of and at 18 months she can chose and play independently which is such a good way to learn.
- 3 out of 5
Fragile
byMy wee one loves this story but the actual Tonie figure is quite fragile. One of the tusks has broken and he now refuses to play it....🫠
- 4 out of 5
good
bymy 2 year old is obsessed with this tonie and it has her giggling. although a bit of the narration isn’t the best and i wish she did it a bit more ‘normal’. for the price, the duration could’ve been longer.
- 1 out of 5
Far better tonies available, terrible narration
byOur little one adores her toniebox but this one NEVER gets played, even though she loves the Gruffalo story. The voices and narration are terrible and in parts really verging on a little scary! Would not have bought if we'd known, and would not recommend.
- 4 out of 5
Love this Tonie
byLove this Tonie. It is read beautifully and my daughter LOVES it
Customer photos
1-15 of 109 written reviews
- 1 out of 5
AWFUL
byAbsolute racket! The mouse sounds like a pantomime witch. The most irritating tonie I’ve listened to. Butchered a lovely story. Awful!
- 1 out of 5
The worst purchase you might ever make
byThis is the worst voice adaptation you will ever find. The Geneva Convention would ban this from being used as a method of torture, it’s that jarring to listen to.
- 1 out of 5
Useless
byShort story with annoying noises in it so totally useless for bedtime.
- 4 out of 5
Great story
byHonestly the tonie does exactly what it should. It reads the story as it is I don’t understand what the other reviewers was expecting. Fab story and well read!
- 1 out of 5
Terrible version - frantic, loud, jarring
byIt’s incredibly jarring and frantic. If you’re expecting a calm bedtime version, this isn’t it. The voices are harsh and shrill. I really wish you could get the audio from the Magic Light film version as the narration and orchestration is gorgeous. This version is both terrible and slightly terrifying.
- 3 out of 5
Disappointing
byA little disappointing. The voices could be better.
- 3 out of 5
Absolutely average
byMy son love it. But I think its rubbish. Only 1 story and 1 really annoying song. 🙄 it fair gets on your nerves.
- 2 out of 5
You can do better
byFar too short despite the long pauses, and an extremely grating voice that becomes unpleasant very quickly. Not recommended
- 4 out of 5
Great tonie
byThis is a great tonie, unfortunately my daughter was afraid of the growling so we only partly listened to it once
- 1 out of 5
Annoying narration
byDon’t enjoy the narration of this at all!! It’s overly animated and actually quite annoying. My daughter doesn’t mind it but does lose interest quite quickly. It’s also frustrating how it takes 20 seconds or so to even get to the story because of the introduction. The song is fine, but for a 2 track Tonie, it’s not worth buying. Such a shame given the popularity of the book
- 5 out of 5
Lola loves the Gruffalo !
byMy granddaughter is such a huge fan of the Gruffalo and absolutely adores this Tonie. A great story you never get tired of and at 18 months she can chose and play independently which is such a good way to learn.
- 3 out of 5
Fragile
byMy wee one loves this story but the actual Tonie figure is quite fragile. One of the tusks has broken and he now refuses to play it....🫠
- 4 out of 5
good
bymy 2 year old is obsessed with this tonie and it has her giggling. although a bit of the narration isn’t the best and i wish she did it a bit more ‘normal’. for the price, the duration could’ve been longer.
- 1 out of 5
Far better tonies available, terrible narration
byOur little one adores her toniebox but this one NEVER gets played, even though she loves the Gruffalo story. The voices and narration are terrible and in parts really verging on a little scary! Would not have bought if we'd known, and would not recommend.
- 4 out of 5
Love this Tonie
byLove this Tonie. It is read beautifully and my daughter LOVES it
Good to know:
- Tonies work when paired with a Toniebox 1 & 2
- Running time: 17 minutes
- Suitable for: 4+
This Tonie Teaches:
- Perseverance
- Curiosity
- Imagination
- Problem solving
Julia Donaldson’s story of a brave mouse, a deep dark wood, and everybody's favourite knobbly-kneed monster is a firm favourite – and with the Toniebox, Gruffalo fans can bring the deep, dark wood to roaring life, right in the middle of their bedroom. Or their living room. Or the car. Wherever they like, really.
All they need to do is to pop this fearsome (but not really) Gruffalo Tonie on top of their Toniebox and soon they’ll be taking a familiar nighttime stroll through the woods. Actress Imelda Staunton reads this Toniebox story, but we reckon there are some words you might know already.
All together: ‘A mouse took a stroll through the deep, dark wood…’
List of titles:
01 - STORY - The Gruffalo
02 - SONG - The Gruffalo
Good to know:
- Tonies work when paired with a Toniebox 1 & 2
- Running time: 17 minutes
- Suitable for: 4+
This Tonie Teaches:
- Perseverance
- Curiosity
- Imagination
- Problem solving
Julia Donaldson’s story of a brave mouse, a deep dark wood, and everybody's favourite knobbly-kneed monster is a firm favourite – and with the Toniebox, Gruffalo fans can bring the deep, dark wood to roaring life, right in the middle of their bedroom. Or their living room. Or the car. Wherever they like, really.
All they need to do is to pop this fearsome (but not really) Gruffalo Tonie on top of their Toniebox and soon they’ll be taking a familiar nighttime stroll through the woods. Actress Imelda Staunton reads this Toniebox story, but we reckon there are some words you might know already.
All together: ‘A mouse took a stroll through the deep, dark wood…’
List of titles:
01 - STORY - The Gruffalo
02 - SONG - The Gruffalo
| Package Dimension (cm) | 20H x 3.5L x 11.5W |
| Package Weight (kg) | 0.05 |
| Country Of Origin | CHINA |
| Package Dimension (cm) | 20H x 3.5L x 11.5W |
| Package Weight (kg) | 0.05 |
| Country Of Origin | CHINA |
12 Months
The items you purchase from Baby Bunting come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Consumer Guarantees Act (NZ). You are entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to meet the consumer guarantees and the problem or fault is not of a substantial character. You are entitled to a replacement or refund where the problem or fault is of a substantial nature, and you may also be entitled to compensation for any additional loss or damage from the failure to meet the consumer guarantees. Action to remedy the problem may include instructions on proper use. We may need to inspect the goods (or send to the supplier for inspection) or request pictures or videos of the defect to make an assessment.
12 Months
The items you purchase from Baby Bunting come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Consumer Guarantees Act (NZ). You are entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to meet the consumer guarantees and the problem or fault is not of a substantial character. You are entitled to a replacement or refund where the problem or fault is of a substantial nature, and you may also be entitled to compensation for any additional loss or damage from the failure to meet the consumer guarantees. Action to remedy the problem may include instructions on proper use. We may need to inspect the goods (or send to the supplier for inspection) or request pictures or videos of the defect to make an assessment.
We offer an exchange, store credit or refund within 30 days of purchase or, an exchange or store credit after 30 days. For members of BBfamily, it's extended to 60 days. Terms and conditions apply.
Excluded from returns:
- Clearance and discontinued items
- Infant formula and food
- Toilet training items
- Underwear and swimwear
- Items sold in unsealed packaging designed for close skin contact
- Baby Bunting Gift Cards
View our full Change of Mind Return Policy here.
We offer an exchange, store credit or refund within 30 days of purchase or, an exchange or store credit after 30 days. For members of BBfamily, it's extended to 60 days. Terms and conditions apply.
Excluded from returns:
- Clearance and discontinued items
- Infant formula and food
- Toilet training items
- Underwear and swimwear
- Items sold in unsealed packaging designed for close skin contact
- Baby Bunting Gift Cards
View our full Change of Mind Return Policy here.
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