Author & Illustrators

Julia Donaldson Books

Julia Donaldson is one of the UK’s most treasured children’s authors, renowned for her brilliant rhyming picture books that have delighted millions of young readers.

Julia Donaldson has penned some of the best-loved rhyming stories for children, including the modern classic The Gruffalo, illustrated by the inimitable Axel Scheffler. Donaldson’s storytelling genius extends beyond the page, with a number of her books adapted into popular and entertaining stage shows and beloved screenplays, bringing her characters to life for an even wider audience. Julia Donaldson’s outstanding contribution to children’s literature was formally recognised during her tenure as the UK Children’s Laureate from 2011–2013, and she has been honoured with a CBE for Services to Literature.

Julia Donaldson’s books are generally perfect for children aged 3-7 (Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1), making them ideal picture books for preschoolers and younger readers. Many teachers choose Donaldson’s books as storytime read-alouds, while families enjoy their delightful rhyming patterns and much-loved characters as popular bedtime story favourites.

Beyond her best-known character The Gruffalo, Julia Donaldson’s most popular titles include Room on the Broom, Stick Man, The Snail and the Whale and Zog. Publishers Macmillan Children’s Books have recently announced the news of a much-awaited new Gruffalo story coming in September 2026, which will be the newest addition to the award-winning modern classics The Gruffalo (1999) and The Gruffalo’s Child (2004). The first two stories have a combined total of over 18.2 million copies sold.

Julia Donaldson’s highly popular books are consistently featured on recommended reading lists, including various BooksForTopics selections like the best books for preschoolers, storytime books for Early Years, Reception Recommended Reads, farm books for children, seaside topic booklist and recommended forest school stories.

Fans of Julia Donaldson will also find useful the BooksForTopics branching out booklist, which helps existing Donaldson readers see how her stories can lead readers to discover similar genres and authors.

If you’re searching for entertaining rhyming stories with memorably lovable characters, award-winning picture books or modern classics of children’s literature, explore the wonderful world of Julia Donaldson.

Author’s Website: https://www.juliadonaldson.co.uk/.

If you are new to Julia Donaldson’s stories for children, we recommend What the Ladybird Heard as a superb book to start with.

The Gruffalo Pop-Up

Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson

Picturebook

Bring the deep dark wood to life with this amazing pop-up gift edition of the bestselling picture book, The Gruffalo, perfect for gifting this Christmas.

Read the classic story and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake . . . and a hungry gruffalo! The story is brought to life by incredible pop-up scenes and characters, including a huge 3D Gruffalo.

The Gruffalo Pop-Up is a stunning hardback gift edition of the classic story and is sure to delight parents and children alike.

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Gruffalo is an undisputed modern classic and has become a bestselling phenomenon across the world with over 18 million copies sold. This award-winning rhyming story of a mouse and a monster has found its way into the hearts and bedtimes of an entire generation of children and will undoubtedly continue to enchant children for years and years to come.

Jonty Gentoo: The Adventures of a Penguin

Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson

Picturebook

Join a plucky little penguin on the journey of a lifetime, in this fabulous new picture book from superstar author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Jonty the little gentoo penguin longs to find his true home at the South Pole.

One night, he sneaks out of the zoo and sets off on an amazing adventure, all the way to Antarctica (with an accidental detour to the North Pole!)

Children will be cheering Jonty on as he finally finds his way, in this captivating story of bravery, friendship, and finding your place in the world.

Jonty Gentoo is an official UK Number One Children’s Bestseller (17 Sept 2024)

Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page

Fantastic illustrations of the natural world, with lots of details to spot, including seals, polar bears . . . and lots and lots of penguins!

Julia and Axel are the team that have created picture book favourites such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Zog and Superworm – all of which have been made into animated films premiering on BBC1 Christmas Day.

The animated film of Tiddler stars voice artists including Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) as the narrator, Lolly Adefope (Ghosts) as Miss Skate and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip)

Follow the Swallow

Julia Donaldson & Thomas Docherty

Picturebook

Julia Donaldson has done it again with Follow the Swallow. The story follows Chack (the blackbird) and Apollo (the swallow)’s friendship over the miles. Chack can’t imagine how far Apollo will fly, and Apollo can’t understand the seasonal changes Chack will go through, both in himself and the world around him.

Children love the ‘I don’t believe you!’ repeated refrain as the birds compare their different worlds, which runs through the first part of the book until Apollo leaves for Africa and Chack watches the berries emerge and transform the trees.

The second part of the story follows Chack’s attempt to get a message to his friend (‘Come to the tree!’), but Apollo has already left for Africa. An increasingly funny series of animals mangle Chack’s message until it finally reaches Apollo, who is just about ready to come back to the North for summer. The big reveal of the correct message and of what’s happened with Chack in the meantime is hugely satisfying and the joy in Chack and Apollo’s faces when they meet again is just lovely.

The Gruffalo’s Child

Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson

Picturebook

Join the Gruffalo’s Child for a BIG adventure in this clever sequel to much-loved modern classic, The Gruffalo, from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should
Ever set foot in the deep dark wood.

But one wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s child disobeys her father’s warnings and ventures out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist . . . does he?

The Gruffalo’s Child is the number one bestselling, much-loved sequel to the worldwide picture book phenomenon that is The Gruffalo. Julia Donaldson’s trademark rhyming text and Axel Scheffler’s brilliant, characterful illustrations combine once more to ensure that the Gruffalo’s Child has followed firmly in her father’s footsteps and that her story is one that children will ask for again, and again . . . and again!

This edition features the classic story with a stunning redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!

Enjoy more family favourite picture books from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and The Snail and the Whale.

Tabby McTat

Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson

Picturebook

The heart-warming picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog.

“Me, you and the old guitar.

How perfectly, perfectly happy we are.

MEEE-EW and the old guitar.

How PURRRR-fectly happy we are!”

Tabby McTat is purr-fectly happy, singing along all day with Fred the busker. But when Fred gives chase to a thief, the two are separated. Will they ever find each other again?

‘Tabby McTat is such a beautiful story about embracing change and the transitions in life as well – from childhood to adulthood and people going on journeys. There is so much warmth and celebration of family and community’ Jodie Whittaker

Hardcover format comes with a protective dust jacket to make this a special gift for a lifetime

A heartwarming and charming story from the UK’s number one picture book author and illustrator

Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot

Friendship and loyalty are at the heart of this story

Perfect for cat lovers!

The Smeds and the Smoos

Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson

Picturebook

Soar into space with this glorious love story of alien folk, from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo and Stick Man.

The Smeds (who are red) never mix with the Smoos (who are blue).

So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love, their families strongly disapprove.

But peace is restored and love conquers all in this happiest of love stories. There’s even a gorgeous purple baby to celebrate!

Cave Baby

Emily Gravett & Julia Donaldson

Picturebook

A hairy mammoth takes a cheeky little baby on a thrilling ride through a moonlit landscape populated by a sabre-toothed tiger, a leaping hare, a laughing hyena and even, just maybe, by a big brown bear . . . But where are they going? And what has it to do with the baby’s scribblings on the cave wall?

Created by the critically acclaimed author Julia Donaldson and Kate Greenaway medal winner Emily Gravett, Cave Baby celebrates the messy creativity of babies!

A Squash and a Squeeze

Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson

Picturebook

“Wise old man, won’t you help me, please? My house is a squash and squeeze.”

Visit the farm in the brilliantly funny A Squash and a Squeeze, the first ever picture book written and illustrated by the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

A little old lady lives all by herself in her house but she’s not happy – it’s just too small, even for one. Whatever can she do? The wise old man knows: bring in a flappy, scratchy, greedy, noisy crowd of farmyard animals. When she pushes them all out again, she’ll be amazed at how big her house feels!

This edition features the classic story with a stunning, redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!

The Smartest Giant in Town

Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson

Picturebook

Meet a very helpful giant in this funny, big-hearted tale from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

George wished he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. So when he sees a new shop selling giant-sized clothes, he decides it’s time for a new look: smart trousers, smart shirt, stripy tie, shiny shoes. Now he’s the smartest giant in town . . . until he bumps into some animals who desperately need his help – and his clothes!

This edition features the classic story with a stunning redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book

Axel Scheffler & Julia Donaldson

Picturebook

Celebrate the joy of books with the entertaining Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book, from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

Charlie Cook is reading a book about a pirate captain, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading about a knight, who is reading about a frog . . .

From kings and queens to aliens and ghosts, there’s something for everyone in Charlie’s amazing book of adventure! This edition features the classic story with a stunning, redesigned cover and beautiful finish, making it a must-have addition to the bookshelves of all Donaldson and Scheffler fans – big and small!