Julia Donaldson to release first Gruffalo book in 20 years as she shares 'hope'

Best-selling children's author Julia Donaldson is to team up with illustrator Axel Scheffle to release the first new Gruffalo book in over two decades. The pair previously worked together on the Gruffalo (1999) and the 2004 follow-up, The Gruffalo's Child.

Publisher Macmillan Children's Books described the Gruffalo series as a "bestselling phenomenon". Julia has sold almost 50 million books in her career, with the Gruffalo accounting for over three million.

The story has been translated into 133 different languages. But the Sussex-based author admits writing another follow-up can be difficult.

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She hopes the new story will resonate with younger audiences. Speaking to The Bookseller, Julia said: "It's always a challenge to write a sequel. Five years elapsed between publication of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, and now it will be more than 20 between The Gruffalo's Child and the third book.

"I actually had the basic idea for the story a long time ago, but couldn't think how to develop it.

"I was of course delighted when Axel came on board, and am even more so now that I've seen the brilliant sketches he's already done for the new book. I really hope that children – and adults too – will enjoy the new story, as I know what a wonderful experience shared reading can be."

The publisher added: "Macmillan Children's Books is thrilled to be publishing this extraordinary new story, which sees the return of much-loved characters in a fresh and exciting adventure that has all the hallmarks of a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler classic.

"The team at Macmillan plans for this highly anticipated publication to be one of the biggest in its history, supported by a blockbuster marketing and publicity campaign."

In an effort to foster a love of reading among youngsters, the National Literacy Trust will utilise the forthcoming book. This initiative comes after the charity reported that currently, only one in three children enjoy leisure reading, marking the lowest interest level since 2005, according to their findings, reports .

Julia remarked: "It was only when the NLT, whose work I'm very impressed by, used the first two books as part of their Early Words Matter programme that I was spurred on to get my idea out of the cupboard and see once and for all if I could turn it into a really satisfying story."

Axel has previously been hesitant regarding another Gruffalo tale. However, upon receiving Julia's narrative, he felt inspired to draw the beloved characters again.

Speaking with The Bookseller, he confessed: "As I have had to draw the odd Gruffalo and his daughter over the past 20 years, I'm not completely out of practice."