Rumple Buttercup: A Story of Bananas, Belonging and Being Yourself
A quirky, warm-hearted story about a green monster who hides underground because he feels too different, until he learns that no one really minds. A gentle fable about belonging, hand-illustrated by its Criminal Minds actor-author.
- Best for5–9
- FormatIllustrated
- Length136 pp
- Read aloud~54 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
Tone
- Heartwarming
- Whimsical
- Gentle
- Warm
- Inspirational
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Rumple Buttercup has green skin, five crooked teeth, three strands of hair and one foot slightly bigger than the other, and he is quite sure that all of this makes him too strange to be seen. So he hides away in a sewer beneath the town, coming out only at night, with only his imaginary friend Candy Corn Carl for company. But a small chain of events slowly draws Rumple up into the daylight, where he discovers a surprising truth: nobody is bothered by his differences at all, and there is a place for him after all. Written and hand-lettered and illustrated by actor Matthew Gray Gubler, this offbeat, tender book celebrates individuality and the courage it takes to let yourself be known. Its scribbly, distinctive artwork and gently funny voice make it a reassuring read for any child who has ever felt like the odd one out, and a genuinely uplifting story about the magic of belonging.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Works as a read-aloud from about 5 and as an independent read for confident 6-9s, with short text and lots of pictures. Its gentle theme of feeling different and finding belonging gives it warm crossover appeal for older readers and adults too.
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- Best fit · 5–9
- Read aloud · 5–8
- Independent · 6–9
Prose load
Light
Visual support
High
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Bedtime
- Reading together
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
4 / 5 · Bedtime-friendly
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Being yourself
- Feeling different
- Gentle reassurance
- Quirky gift
Avoid if
- Wants action adventure
- Dislikes scribbly art
Particularly good for children who are…
- Low self esteem
- Making friends
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Rumple is odd and lovable, and the moment he realises no one minds his green skin or crooked teeth is a real relief. The scribbly art and his imaginary friend Candy Corn Carl make it feel like a secret world children want to climb into.
- Being understood finally
- Friendship and belonging
- The underdog winning
Why parents love it
An offbeat, big-hearted fable about self-acceptance, written and drawn by Matthew Gray Gubler with obvious warmth. Its message lands without preaching, and its unusual look and gentle humour make it a lovely, giftable read for a child who feels different.
- Beautiful illustrations
- Conversation starter
- Quick to read
About the author & illustrator
Matthew Gray Gubler.
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