Latest news with #TheGruffalo'sChild
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.
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Opinion Welcome back, Gruffalo
Like Pooh drifting back to the Hundred Acre Wood or Peter Rabbit stealing once more into Mr McGregor's garden, there's a rustle in the forest, a whisper of childhood come again. After more than two decades, British writer Julia Donaldson and German illustrator Axel Scheffler's goofball of a monster, Gruffalo, is set to return, complete with 'knobbly knees and turned-out toes and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose'. The first book, The Gruffalo, appeared in 1999, followed by The Gruffalo's Child in 2005. The news of the third in the picture-book series, to be published in September 2026, comes like the visit of a long-lost friend: Unexpected, thrilling, and utterly welcome. In the world of picture books, Donaldson is no meek mouse but a monster cult. The story of a little mouse's clever defiance in a predator-filled forest has been part of the architecture of childhoods across generations, a resounding validation at a time of brief attention spans. She had set out to write a play based on a Chinese tale about a tiger, but Donaldson's inability to find a word rhyming with 'tiger' led, instead, to the serendipitous birth of Gruffalo. Children's literature is replete with storied comebacks. A A Milne's characters outlived him to amble through sequels; Narnia flickered anew in later tales; even Paddington resurfaced for marmalade-sticky adventures. So what might Gruffalo find emerging from his cave? A world bleaker and more complicated but still full of children alive to the thrill of believing in the impossible. That sometimes the shadows in the wood shift just enough to reveal familiar silhouettes. That monsters can make for good friends, and that courage can come in the smallest, squeakiest of packages.
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.
The Guardian
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on the Gruffalo: a well-timed comeback, wart and all
It is 21 years since Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler published The Gruffalo's Child, the sequel to their bestselling Gruffalo picture book of five years earlier. While the pair have collaborated on numerous other stories, none is as iconic as the tale of the little brown mouse who outwits a succession of predators. There is no shortage of Gruffalo merchandise. But in an age of franchises and prequels, this author-illustrator partnership clearly decided that less was more. It is reportedly thanks to her wish to support the National Literacy Trust that Ms Donaldson decided to bring the Gruffalo back after all. The new book will be published next year, and used in an international campaign to promote children's reading. The depressing findings of a survey released this week, showing a steep decline in the proportion of UK parents who read aloud to their children, make this announcement particularly welcome. Another report, from the National Literacy Trust, found that the proportion of eight- to 18-year-olds who read for pleasure fell last year to a record low of 35%. Ms Donaldson and Mr Scheffler are well placed to make the case for reading aloud. As an author, she was a late bloomer, first published when she was in her 40s. She has spoken of her impatience with books that are too preachy or sentimental, and rejects the idea of 'picture-book medicine' to help children overcome problems. Her stories, by contrast, are designed to give excitement and joy. Plot and humour are key ingredients, along with her signature rhyming style. In an interview, she recalled the favourite stories that kept her own children from going to sleep at night because they were so 'full of mirth'. It is concerning to learn from the survey, which was carried out by HarperCollins and Nielsen, that parents increasingly see reading as a skill – 'more a subject to learn than a fun thing to do'. The fact that this view is more prevalent among younger adults strongly suggests a link with the rise of digital entertainment and ubiquitous screens and games. Education policies focused on literacy are widely regarded as another factor. For years, authors and other champions of children's literature have warned that the instrumental approach to reading that became dominant under the Conservatives has had the unintended consequence of devaluing creativity. Too often, the texts placed before primary-school pupils are chosen not for their imaginative merit but because they belong to a particular learning scheme. The latest findings support this view. Another new report, from the Publishers Association, describes the situation as a crisis. Among other measures, it urges ministers to bolster library provision and put more emphasis on reading for enjoyment in the curriculum. At a summit earlier this year, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, the author and Waterstones children's laureate, said that the emotional and educational benefits of being read to, for very young children, mean that access to books is a public health issue. The return of the big bad mouse – wily as he is – and his adversary should not be expected to reverse these trends. But the advocacy of Ms Donaldson, Mr Cottrell-Boyce and others deserves support. The inspiration for the Gruffalo came from a Chinese folk tale. If all goes to plan, his further adventures will be a exuberant reminder of the age-old power of storytelling.
