BELOVED CHILDREN’S AUTHOR ANNOUNCES NEW GRUFFALO BOOK

BELOVED CHILDREN’S AUTHOR ANNOUNCES NEW GRUFFALO BOOK
Julia Donaldson unveils title and lead character of highly anticipated Gruffalo sequel
Friday, 6 February 2026 LONDON Acclaimed children’s author Julia Donaldson has revealed the title and main character of the long-awaited third book in her celebrated Gruffalo series, breaking a more than 20-year wait since the last installment. The new story, Gruffalo Granny, will introduce a new family member to the beloved Gruffalo universe and brings back characters from Donaldson’s classic tales set in the deep dark wood. Title: Gruffalo Granny the first new Gruffalo story in over two decades. Lead Character: The Gruffalo Granny a new character who visits the Gruffalo and his family. Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books. Release Date: 10 September 2026 in hardback and audiobook editions. Published alongside illustrations by longtime collaborator Axel Scheffler, the book reunites the Gruffalo with familiar friends including Fox, Owl, Snake and Mouse, promising “an exciting new adventure” for fans of all ages. Donaldson told listeners on 4’s Today programme that she had nurtured the idea for nearly 20 years but only recently found the right moment and inspiration to develop it into a full story.
She added that becoming a grandmother in real life may have helped spark the concept, bringing fresh emotional depth to the tale.
Illustrator Axel Scheffler, who has drawn the Gruffalo and other iconic characters throughout the series, initially resisted the idea of a further sequel after the success of the first two books. However, he ultimately returned, citing Donaldson’s “wonderfully clever and inspired new text” as motivation.The original The Gruffalo was published in 1999 and became a modern children’s classic, followed by The Gruffalo’s Child in 2004. Both books have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been adapted into award-nominated films aired on Gruffalo Granny marks a major revival of the franchise, tapping into both nostalgia for longtime fans and excitement for a new generation of readers.