London – At a book‑launch event on Thursday, beloved children’s author Julia Donaldson and celebrated illustrator Axel Scheffler unveiled “Gruffalo Granny,” the first new Gruffalo tale in more than 20 years. The duo reflected on a partnership that has produced over 18.2 million copies worldwide and continues to inspire young readers.
New story builds on family tradition
“Gruffalo Granny” follows the iconic monster and his daughter as they prepare for a visit from her grandmother, whose enormous appetite sends them on a quest for a meal. The mouse they capture plots an escape, while the family plans to serve it for dinner. Donaldson said the idea may have been influenced by her own family life, noting, “I’ve got nine grandchildren, and in this story it ends up with the grandmother telling stories to the grandchild, so maybe that was at the back of my mind.”
Creative process and lasting partnership
Scheffler, who has illustrated many of Donaldson’s titles including “Room on the Broom” and “Stick Man,” said he never expected another Gruffalo sequel, despite the original being translated into 113 languages and dialects. Both creators joked that their decades‑long collaboration thrives on working largely independently, suggesting limited contact during the creative process may be the secret to their success.
Future possibilities and literacy hopes
When asked about future sequels, Donaldson and Scheffler mentioned the clumsy dragon “Zog” as a possible candidate, even though that character already has a follow‑up story. They also referenced a recent National Literacy Trust report showing just over one‑third of UK children enjoy reading in their spare time. Scheffler expressed hope that their books will encourage children to read and be creative.
Donaldson added that letters from young readers who write their own stories hearten her, and she remains optimistic about the future of books. “I started writing because of the books and poems that I read as a child, so it’s nice to think of it as a kind of chain going through the generations,” she said. “I love reading. I think it’s one of the greatest pleasures there is, so I just feel it will last.”
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
