The Gruffalo is back in the deep dark wood for the first time in over 20 years, and Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are teaming up to bring a fresh adventure to millions of fans worldwide.
The Gruffalo, with his knobbly knees and turned-out toes, is back in the deep dark wood for the first time in over 20 years. Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have announced their collaboration on a new picture book, set to be published in September 2026.
The Gruffalo is a fictional creature from the children's book 'The Gruffalo' by Julia Donaldson.
This intimidating character has a distinctive appearance, with sharp teeth and claws.
According to the story, the Gruffalo is so fearsome that it can scare off even the most confident predators.
The Gruffalo's legend has become a beloved part of children's literature, teaching kids about bravery and clever thinking.
A Fresh Adventure
The new story promises to return to the world of ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘The Gruffalo’s Child,’ which have sold millions of copies worldwide. According to Macmillan, the publisher, the book will feature ‘much-loved characters in a fresh and exciting adventure that has all the hallmarks of a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler classic.’
In this delightful sequel to Julia Donaldson's popular children's book, The Gruffalo's Child is a brave and adventurous tale of a young bear cub.
The story follows the child of the infamous Gruffalo as she ventures into the forest, encountering various animals who try to scare her away.
However, unlike her father, 'the Gruffalo's Child is not easily intimidated' and stands up for herself in a series of clever encounters.
With its engaging storyline and charming illustrations, this book is a must-read for fans of The Gruffalo and children aged 2-5.
A Long Time Coming
Donaldson revealed that she had initially come up with the idea for the story years ago but struggled to develop it. The charity National Literacy Trust (NLT) used her books as part of one of its campaigns last year, which sparked her creativity and encouraged her to revisit the project.
‘I was of course delighted when Axel came on board,’ she said. ‘I am even more so now that I’ve seen the brilliant sketches he’s already done for the new book.’
Julia Donaldson is a British author known for her children's books.
Born in 1949, she has written over 150 titles.
Her works often feature 'rhyming verse' and engaging stories.
One of her most famous books is 'The Gruffalo', which won the UK's top children's book award in 2004.
Donaldson's writing style combines humor with clever wordplay, making her a beloved author among children and parents alike.
A Collaborative Legacy
Scheffler and Donaldson have published over 30 books together, including the Gruffalo titles. Their first collaboration was a picture book about an unhappy elderly lady who brings farmyard animals into her home.
The original ‘Gruffalo’ story is inspired by a Chinese folk tale called ‘The Fox that Borrows the Terror of a Tiger.’ Donaldson explained how she came up with the character’s name, saying ‘I just couldn’t get anything to rhyme with ‘tiger’, but then I came up with ‘Silly old fox, doesn’t he know / there’s no such thing as a blank-blank-oh.’ Then I began with ‘Grrrr’, which I hoped would sound quite scary. Then all I needed was a word of three syllables, ending in ‘oh’. Somehow, ‘Gruffalo’ came to mind.’
A Global Campaign
Macmillan will partner with NLT and other charitable organizations to support the publication of the new book and drive an international children’s reading and storytelling campaign. This follows NLT’s report which showed that only 1 in 3 children enjoy reading in their spare time, the lowest level since 2005.
Jonathan Douglas, NLT’s chief executive, said: ‘Reading and sharing stories is critical for shaping a child’s early speech and language development. We can’t think of a better way to support families in igniting their children’s love of stories and reading than with the magic and influence of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Gruffalo.’
- theguardian.com | Gruffalo to return with first new book in more than 20 years
