Children’s book author Julia Donaldson recently discussed her latest book, “Gruffalo Granny,” in an interview. When she initially wrote “The Gruffalo” over two decades ago, she had doubts about its success. The story, featuring a clever mouse outwitting predators in the woods, was considered too dark for children’s literature at the time. Additionally, rhyming stories were not in vogue in 1999.
Despite these challenges, “The Gruffalo” became a surprise hit. Now, 26 years later, Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler have released “Gruffalo Granny,” the third installment in the series. The new book follows the original Gruffalo and its child preparing for a visit from Gruffalo Granny, known for her enormous appetite.
Donaldson shared that the process of writing “Gruffalo Granny” mirrored her experience with “The Gruffalo.” The book’s promotion has been on a larger scale, with the illustration of Gruffalo Granny projected onto the British Library. Within days of its release, “Gruffalo Granny” became the top-selling book in the UK for 2026 and the fastest-selling picture book ever, with over 227,000 copies sold in three days.
While she believes the Gruffalo series is complete, Donaldson’s career as a children’s author continues. Her upcoming book, “Winnifred Duck,” illustrated by Jim Fields, is based on the true story of rubber ducks lost at sea and washed up on shores worldwide, providing insights into ocean currents.
