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The Star
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Aha! Oho! A new 'Gruffalo' book is coming out in 2026, after more than 20 years
It's been more than a quarter of a century since the first Gruffalo book came out. Now a third book is set to be published next year. — Photo: Uwe Anspach/dpa The first new Gruffalo picture book in more than two decades will be released next year. Children's book duo author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler will work on the as-yet untitled Gruffalo story to be published in September 2026. The pair previously teamed up on The Gruffalo in 1999 and the 2004 follow-up The Gruffalo's Child . More than 18.2 million copies were sold, according to Macmillan Children's Books. The original picture book sees a mouse takes a stroll through the woods and encounter various predators who wish to eat him. To escape his fate, he invents a fearsome creature called "The Gruffalo", only to later encounter a real Gruffalo, leading to an unexpected turn of events that showcases the mouse's wit and bravery. Donaldson said that she had the idea for a third Gruffalo story for a while and had been encouraged to complete it by the UK charity National Literacy Trust (NLT). "It was only when the NLT, whose work I'm very impressed by, used the first two books as part of their Early Words Matter programme that I was spurred on to get my idea out of the cupboard and see once and for all if I could turn it into a really satisfying story," she said. "To my surprise, I managed to do just that! I was, of course, delighted when Axel came on board, and am even more so now that I've seen the brilliant sketches he's already done for the new book. I really hope that children - and adults too - will enjoy the new story, as I know what a wonderful experience shared reading can be." Scheffler said: "Never say never - a lesson learnt for me who, whenever asked, denied the possibility of another visit to the deep dark wood. Till one day out of the blue there came a wonderfully clever and inspired new text by Julia. "How does she do this? Could I decline? Of course not! As I have had to draw the odd Gruffalo and his daughter over the last 20 years, I'm not completely out of practice." Alison Ruane, managing director of Macmillan Children's Books said the book will be a "true landmark publishing event". – dpa
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Julia Donaldson's Gruffalo to return in new story in 2026
Julia Donaldson (right) and Axel Scheffler are the author and illustrator respectively of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child. PHOTO: REUTERS LONDON - English writer Julia Donaldson's Gruffalo, the globally popular children's character, will return in a new storybook next year, publisher Macmillan Children's Books said on May 1. It will mark the fearsome but easily fooled monster's first fresh adventure in more than 20 years. Donaldson's two earlier stories, The Gruffalo (1999) and The Gruffalo's Child (2004), have together sold over 18.2 million copies globally, delighting children and parents alike with their lyrical couplets and colourful illustrations. Donaldson, 76, said she was inspired to write the as-yet untitled third Gruffalo story after seeing how the National Literacy Trust (NLT) charity had used the previous tales in their work encouraging young children to read. 'I actually had the basic idea for the story a long time ago, but couldn't think how to develop it,' she said in the press release announcing the forthcoming book. 'It was only when the NLT … used the first two books as part of their Early Words Matter programme that I was spurred on to get my idea out of the cupboard and see once and for all if I could turn it into a really satisfying story. To my surprise, I managed to do just that.' German illustrator Axel Scheffler, whose instantly recognisable artwork brought the characters to life, said he could not turn down the opportunity to work on the new tale, despite having previously denied the possibility of a new Gruffalo book. 'One day, out of the blue, there came a wonderfully clever and inspired new text by Julia. How does she do this? Could I decline? Of course not,' the 67-year-old said. 'As I have had to draw the odd Gruffalo and his daughter over the last 20 years, I'm not completely out of practice.' REUTERS The Gruffalo (1999) and The Gruffalo's Child (2004) have together sold over 18.2 million copies globally. PHOTO: THE GRUFFALO/FACEBOOK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Euronews
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Gruffalo set to return next year with first book in more than 20 years
ADVERTISEMENT He's hairy. He's got sharp teeth. He's been outsmarted by a mouse. He's back. Yes, family favourite Gruffalo is returning to bookshelves next year in a brand new adventure – the monster's first in more than two decades. Publisher Macmillan Children's Books confirmed the news today, promising a fresh tale from British writer Julia Donaldson, following 1999's 'The Gruffalo' and 2004's 'The Gruffalo's Child'. The first two books – among the most popular children's titles in the world – are available in 113 languages and dialects, and have sold a combined 18.2 million copies worldwide. The original Gruffalo book has been adapted into plays and an Academy Award-nominated animated film – which is well worth seeking out. ETA for the new, as-yet-untitled story? September 2026. 'The Gruffalo' and 'The Gruffalo's Child' Axel Scheffler - Macmillan Children's Books Donaldson said she was inspired to write the third Gruffalo story after seeing how the National Literacy Trust (NLT) charity had used the previous tales in their work encouraging young children to read. "I actually had the basic idea for the story a long time ago, but couldn't think how to develop it," Donaldson said while announcing the forthcoming book. "It was only when the NLT used the first two books as part of their Early Words Matter programme that I was spurred on to get my idea out of the cupboard and see once and for all if I could turn it into a really satisfying story. To my surprise, I managed to do just that.' 'I was, of course, delighted when Axel came on board, and am even more so now that I've seen the brilliant sketches he's already done for the new book,' added Donaldson. Indeed, German illustrator Axel Scheffler is also back – which is even better news for fans of Gruffalo. Scheffler said: 'Never say never – a lesson learned for me who, whenever asked denied the possibility of another visit to the deep dark wood. Till one day out of the blue there came a wonderfully clever and inspired new text by Julia. How does she do this? Could I decline? Of course not!' Macmillan will be partnering with NLT and other charitable organisations across the globe for the publication of the new book, with plans to drive an international children's reading and storytelling campaign. Jonathan Douglas, NLT's chief executive, said: 'Reading and sharing stories is critical for shaping a child's early speech and language development and 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." ADVERTISEMENT The third Gruffalo book will hit shelves in September 2026.
Reuters
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Julia Donaldson's Gruffalo to return in new story next year
LONDON, May 1 (Reuters) - Julia Donaldson's Gruffalo, the globally popular children's character, will return in a new storybook next year, publisher Macmillan Children's Books said on Thursday, marking the fearsome but easily fooled monster's first fresh adventure in more than 20 years. Donaldson's two earlier stories, "The Gruffalo" and "The Gruffalo's Child", have together sold over 18.2 million copies globally, delighting children and parents alike with their lyrical couplets and colourful illustrations. Donaldson said she was inspired to write the as-yet untitled third Gruffalo story after seeing how the National Literacy Trust (NLT) charity had used the previous tales in their work encouraging young children to read. "I actually had the basic idea for the story a long time ago, but couldn't think how to develop it," Donaldson said in the press release announcing the forthcoming book. "It was only when the NLT … used the first two books as part of their Early Words Matter programme that I was spurred on to get my idea out of the cupboard and see once and for all if I could turn it into a really satisfying story. "To my surprise, I managed to do just that!" Illustrator Axel Scheffler, whose instantly recognisable artwork brought the characters to life, said he could not turn down the opportunity to work on the new tale, despite having previously denied the possibility of a new Gruffalo book. "One day, out of the blue, there came a wonderfully clever and inspired new text by Julia. How does she do this? Could I decline? Of course not!" he said "As I have had to draw the odd Gruffalo and his daughter over the last 20 years, I'm not completely out of practice."
NZ Herald
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
New Gruffalo book by Julia Donaldson to be released more than 20 years after last
The original story is written in rhyming couplets and is accompanied by cartoon-like illustrations by Scheffler. After producing the best-selling original in 1999 and 2004's sequel, The Gruffalo's Child, Scheffler and Donaldson have continued to work in partnership, but this will be the first new release featuring their most successful and beloved character in two decades. Announcing the upcoming release, Donaldson said she was motivated to bring the work to fruition after Britain's National Literacy Trust (NLT) started using her previous two books in a campaign to reverse a decline in children's reading. 'I actually had the basic idea for the story a long time ago, but couldn't think how to develop it,' she said. 'It was only when the NLT, whose work I'm very impressed by, used the first two books as part of their Early Words Matter programme that I was spurred on to get my idea out of the cupboard and see once and for all if I could turn it into a really satisfying story. To my surprise, I managed to do just that!' The original Gruffalo book has sold more than 13.5 million copies and won several prizes for children's literature. Donaldson has said previously the book was inspired by a Chinese folk fable called The Fox that Borrows the Terror of a Tiger about a hungry tiger who tries to catch a fox. An audiobook version of The Gruffalo, read by Imelda Staunton, was released in 2002. On Christmas Day in 2009, the BBC aired an animated adaptation of the story. A stage version of the tale is set to be performed in Auckland and Hastings in July.
