Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are collaborating on first new Gruffalo picture book in over 20 years, to be published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
As part of the international launch of this extraordinary new story, which will see the return of much-loved characters in a fresh and exciting adventure that has all the hallmarks of a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler classic, Macmillan Children’s Books is inviting global publishing partners to work with charitable organisations to promote childhood reading.
Inspired by our recent reading for pleasure research which shows a significant decline in reading for enjoyment levels, Macmillan Children’s Books has chosen us to be the lead charity partner in the UK, and if that wasn’t enough, Julia Donaldson has revealed that she was spurred on to create her brand-new, as-yet-untitled Gruffalo story by our Early Words Matter campaign.
“I actually had the basic idea for the story a long time ago but couldn’t think how to develop it. It was only when the National Literacy Trust, 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.”
Julia Donaldson
“I’m also very happy that the Gruffalos will get involved in some charitable activities to reach even more young readers with support from the National Literacy Trust.”
Axel Scheffler
Macmillan Children’s Books have announced that Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, 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 in September 2026.
© Axel Scheffler - The Gruffalo © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 1999 - Macmillan Children's Books
This news signals the first new Gruffalo story since the publication of the award-winning modern classics The Gruffalo (1999) and The Gruffalo’s Child (2004) by Macmillan Children’s Books. The two stories have become a bestselling phenomenon and have touched the lives of children across the globe, with a total of over 18.2 million copies sold.
Macmillan Children’s Books is thrilled to be publishing this extraordinary new story and intend on harnessing 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. This is in response to our research report which we published earlier this year which revealed that only 1 in 3 children enjoy reading in their spare time, the lowest level since 2005.
“[What] 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. We are incredibly excited to be working with the team at Macmillan Children's Books to close the UK’s literacy gap and give more children from disadvantaged communities the tools they need to thrive.”
Jonathon Douglas, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust
The Gruffalo’s cultural importance cannot be overstated. It’s a title that has become the gateway for so many children’s lifelong love of books and stories. Children see themselves in the empowering characters, are swept along by the rhythm and rhyme and hooked by the funny and stunning 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.
With substantial book donations in areas of the UK where levels of low literacy and poverty is most evident, learning resources, community events and volunteer training as part of the collaboration, by working together we can help change life stories, empowering children, families and their wider communities with the literacy skills they need to thrive.
Partnership underpins our work at the National Literacy Trust and we look forward to working alongside Macmillan Children’s Books to champion and promote the joy of early years reading and shared storytelling. The partnership launched in 2024 with the Gift A Gruffalo campaign in collaboration with WHSmith and we look forward to more initiatives in the future.
Jonathan Douglas, Chief Executive, National Literacy Trust said:
“Literacy changes everything, right from the very start. A child’s early grasp on language and first steps to build communication skills will set them up for life. Through our Early Words Matter campaign, our vision at the National Literacy Trust is for every child, wherever they grow up, to start school with language and communication skills ready to grow and learn. 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. We are incredibly excited to be working with the team at Macmillan Children's Books to close the UK’s literacy gap and give more children from disadvantaged communities the tools they need to thrive.”
Julia Donaldson said,
“It’s always a challenge to write a sequel. Five years elapsed between publication of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, and now it will be more than twenty between The Gruffalo’s Child and the third book. I actually had the basic idea for the story a long time ago, but couldn’t think how to develop it. It was only when the National Literacy Trust, 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! 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.”
Axel 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. I’m also very happy that the Gruffalos will get involved in some charitable activities to reach even more young readers with support from the National Literacy Trust.”
Alison Ruane, Managing Director, Macmillan Children’s Books said,
“Macmillan Children's Books couldn't be happier to return to the deep dark wood with a brand-new Gruffalo picture book for 2026 - the first in 20 years and a true landmark publishing event. We are so proud to publish Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the UK’s number one author and illustrator, and continue to be inspired by the power of their storytelling in capturing the imaginations of children everywhere. Together with the National Literacy Trust, we will use today’s announcement to seek partners across a diverse range of sectors to join our mission to promote the joy of reading, with the Gruffalo at the heart."