Julia Donaldson’s books are firm favourites in many households and classrooms, with a number of her stories (like The Gruffalo and Stick Man) being considered modern classics. Working with different illustrators, Julia has written over 150 books and is best known for her easy-to-learn rhyming stories and memorable characters.
We’ve put together a list of ten similar books for fans of Julia Donaldson. Readers who love the rhyming pattern of Donaldson’s stories might like to try Aliens Love Underpants or the Fish Who Could Wish. Children looking for more larger-than-life characters will enjoy the Giant of Jum or The Bumblebear – all about a bear desperate to fit in at bee school. For stories that are brilliant to join in with, we recommend Where’s My Teddy? or the popular favourite Oi Frog. If you’re looking for a funny new story with a wildly imaginative premise, try Octopus Shocktopus or the timeless classic The Giant Jam Sandwich.
Browse the full list below of books for children looking for what to read next after Julia Donaldson…
“Fee!” he said, and “Fi!” he said, and “Fo!” he said and “Fum!”
Look out children, the Giant of Jum is grumpy and hungry and he’s off in search of a tasty snack. And the tastiest of all is a boy called Jack! But Jack and his friends don’t see a scary giant, they see a magically tall man – a man who can fetch lost balls and rescue cats from trees! Perhaps this hungry giant is softer than he seems…
An incredible rhyming text and a brilliant, big-hearted twist on a classic fairy tale, from the uniquely talented author and poet, Elli Woollard, and award-winning illustrator, Benji Davies.
The Giant of Jum also contains an important message for all: don’t eat kids, eat cake!
Imagine playing minigolf with meerkats or building a sandcastle with an armadillo! And don’t even think about eating candyfloss when there’s an albatross about! Jam-packed with crazy creatures, this brilliant new book from the creators of You Can’t Take an Elephant on the Bus , You Can’t Let an Elephant Drive a Digger and You Can’t Call an Elephant in an Emergency is riotous, laugh-out-loud fun!
Deep in the ocean lives a fish whose wishes come true! He wishes for all sorts of crazy things – a castle, a car, and even fine clothes to wear. But he is a rather foolish fish and one day he wishes to be just like all the other fish . . . perhaps this will be the one wish he wishes he never wished!
The rhythmical text is great to read aloud and Korky Paul’s illustrations take to you to a crazy underwater world. With its neat punch line, this is a book that children will just love to hear (and join in with) over and over again.
Jam-packed with the silliest of animals, this bestselling rhyming story will have the youngest of readers in fits of laughter.
Cats sit on mats, hares sit on chairs, mules sit on stools and gophers sit on sofas. But Frog does not want to sit on a log. Jam-packed with animals and silliness, this original rhyming story is guaranteed to get children giggling!
A bestselling story about confidence, self-esteem, and a shy little mouse who sets out on a journey to find his roar.
In a dry dusty place where the sand sparkled gold, stood a mighty flat rock, all craggy and old. And under that rock in a tiny house, lived the littlest, quietest, meekest brown mouse.
Fed up of being ignored by the other animals, Mouse wishes he could roar like Lion. But, as he discovers, even the biggest, bossiest people are scared sometimes … and even the smallest creatures can have the heart of a lion!
“Aliens love underpants, in every shape and size, But there are no underpants in space, so here’s a big surprise….”
This zany, hilarious tale is delightfully brought to life by Ben Cort’s vibrant illustrations. With a madcap, rhyming text by award-winning Claire Freedman, this is sure to enchant and amuse the whole family!
Perfect for joining in, this story is fantastically fresh and funny – you’ll laugh your pants off!
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