It's The Gruffalo!

Marking the arrival of the first new Gruffalo picture book in over 20 years

One year to go: a new Gruffalo picture book is on its way!

In September 2026, children and families across the country will see the return of much-loved characters in an exciting new adventure that has all the hallmarks of a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler classic. The UK’s number one author and illustrator will return to the world of their most successful and beloved character with a brand-new as-yet-untitled Gruffalo story.

The launch of the new book will harness the popularity of Julia and Axel’s iconic character to drive an international children’s reading and storytelling campaign in partnership with The National Literacy Trust and other charitable organisations across the globe, following our recent reading for pleasure research which shows a significant decline in reading for enjoyment levels with only 1 in 3 children say that they enjoy reading in their spare time.

The Gruffalo’s cultural importance cannot be overstated. It’s a title that has become the gateway to so many children’s lifelong love of books and stories. Children see themselves in the empowering characters, are swept along by Julia Donaldson's rhythm and rhyme and hooked by Axel Scheffler's classic illustrations.

Reading aloud and sharing stories with children from the very start of their lives helps develop early communication, language and literacy skills that will improve their life chances, so we are very excited that a return to the deep, dark wood also means a collaboration with Macmillan Children’s Books through our Early Words Matter campaign.

How are we changing lives through Early Words Matter?

In July 2025, the National Literacy Trust, in partnership with The Very Group, launched a three-year initiative to boost children’s early language and communication in Liverpool, as part of our Early Words Matter campaign.

The launch event, which took place at Five Children’s Trust in Speke, saw 100 families come together for a morning of storytelling activities centred around The Gruffalo. The event marked the start of a new behaviour-change campaign we are piloting in Liverpool, using the magic and appeal of The Gruffalo to boost parental engagement, storytelling and young children’s love of reading. Macmillan Children’s Books and Magic Light Pictures have been pivotal in helping us embed the magic and appeal of the Gruffalo brand at the heart of this work.

The morning in Liverpool was designed to show parents how stories can be used as a springboard to chat and play as part of day-to-day life. Every child left with a gift-wrapped copy of The Gruffalo, generously donated by Macmillan Children’s Books, and an activity booklet, as well as The Gruffalo Sticker Pack from PaperProjects and The Gruffalo notepad and pen from Robert Frederick, kindly contributed by Magic Light Pictures, to continue the fun at home.

Watch our video below to experience for yourself the event’s impact as families immersed themselves in the world of the Gruffalo and discovered more about the benefits of sharing stories.