Renowned children’s author Julia Donaldson recently shared in an interview that when she penned the now-classic book “The Gruffalo” over two decades ago, she had doubts about its success. The story, featuring a clever mouse outwitting predators with tales of a fearsome monster in the forest, was initially deemed too dark for children’s literature and stood out for its rhyming style, which was not in vogue in 1999.
Fast forward to today, 26 years after “The Gruffalo” became a surprise hit, Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler have released “Gruffalo Granny,” the latest addition to the beloved series following the original and “The Gruffalo’s Child.” Donaldson hinted that this might be the final installment in the franchise.
The new book revolves around the Gruffalo and his child preparing for the arrival of Gruffalo Granny, known for her “enormous appetite.” The mouse protagonist once again faces the threat of becoming a meal in this latest adventure.
Donaldson described the writing process for “Gruffalo Granny” as reminiscent of her initial experience creating “The Gruffalo,” focusing on crafting a compelling story rather than the readers’ expectations. Despite her reservations about continuing the Gruffalo series, the reception for “Gruffalo Granny” has been overwhelming, with the book rapidly climbing the sales charts.
The publisher, Pan Macmillan, generated buzz for “Gruffalo Granny” by projecting illustrations onto the British Library in London before its release. Within days of hitting the shelves, the book became the top-selling title of 2026 in the UK across all genres and age groups, setting records for the fastest-selling picture book with over 200,000 copies sold in just three days.
Alison Ruane, managing director of Macmillan Children’s Books, praised the enduring appeal of Donaldson and Scheffler’s creations, highlighting the intergenerational appeal of the Gruffalo series. While Donaldson hinted at concluding her time with the Gruffalo family, she assured that her career as a children’s author is far from over, with her upcoming book “Winnifred Duck,” inspired by the tale of rubber ducks lost at sea, slated for release next year.