Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler to Publish First New Gruffalo Picture Book in Over 20 Years
@Axel Scheffler 2025
Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, announced today that Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, the internationally bestselling author/illustrator duo, will return to the world of their most successful and beloved character with a brand new as-yet-untitled Gruffalo story in September 2026. U.S. and Open Market rights for the third Gruffalo adventure were acquired by Jennifer Klonsky, President & Publisher, Dial Books for Young Readers from Macmillan’s Children’s Books UK.
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). 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 worldwide.
Penguin Young Readers is thrilled to be publishing this extraordinary new story, which sees 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. Penguin will launch the book with a major, multi-faceted marketing and publicity campaign to establish the book as the children’s picture book publishing event of the year. The launch will also harness the popularity of Julia and Axel’s iconic character to drive an international children’s reading and storytelling campaign.
Julia Donaldson (l) and Axel Scheffler (r) (Photo credit: Urszula Soltys)
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.”
Jen Klonsky said “The Gruffalo books are perfect read alouds. These clever, surprising stories with their beloved, signature illustrations have been loved by American readers for decades. And now, to publish a third Gruffalo book? We are thrilled and delighted and cannot wait for our readers to embrace this new adventure!”