Children’s book author Julia Donaldson recently spoke in an interview about her unexpected success with “The Gruffalo,” a book she initially thought would never be published due to its darker themes and unconventional rhyming style. Now, 26 years later, Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler have released “Gruffalo Granny,” the latest installment in the popular series. The new book follows the original Gruffalo and his child as they prepare for the arrival of Gruffalo Granny, known for her enormous appetite.
Despite not planning to write another Gruffalo book, Donaldson found the process of creating “Gruffalo Granny” reminiscent of her early work. The book’s promotion saw a significant scale-up, with the character of Gruffalo Granny projected onto the British Library in London. Within 10 days of its release, “Gruffalo Granny” became the best-selling book of 2026 in the UK across all genres and age groups, selling 227,169 copies in just three days.
The success of “Gruffalo Granny” is attributed to the enduring charm of Donaldson and Scheffler’s collaboration and the beloved characters they have created. While Donaldson considers her time with the Gruffalo family complete, she has a new book titled “Winnifred Duck” set for release next year. This upcoming book is inspired by the true story of 28,000 rubber ducks lost at sea and their subsequent global journey, offering valuable lessons about ocean currents.