After more than two decades of enchanting children around the world, the Gruffalo is making a return in a brand-new adventure.
Beloved author Julia Donaldson has announced that a third Gruffalo book is on the way and set for release in 2026. The long-anticipated follow-up comes after the original The Gruffalo was published in 1999 and its sequel, The Gruffalo’s Child, arrived in 2004.
Donaldson explained that while the idea for a third installment had been lingering in her mind for years, it was a recent campaign to boost childhood literacy that inspired her to finally bring the story to life.
“It’s always a challenge to write a sequel,” Donaldson confessed. “Five years passed between The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, and now it’ll be more than twenty since that second book.”
Despite the lengthy gap, Donaldson said the concept for the third story had long existed in her imagination. “I actually had the basic idea for the story a long time ago,” she explained, “but I couldn’t think how to develop it.”
It wasn’t until the National Literacy Trust (NLT) began using the Gruffalo books in its Early Words Matter programme that Donaldson felt the push to revisit her idea and finally shape it into a fully-fledged tale.
According to recent statistics from the NLT, only 35% of children aged eight to eighteen said they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2024 — the lowest percentage since the charity began tracking the figure in 2005.
This concerning trend motivated Donaldson to contribute in the best way she knows: by crafting another story that can reignite the joy of reading for young audiences.
“I was so impressed by the NLT’s work,” she said, “and it was their use of The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child in their programme that spurred me on to get my idea out of the cupboard and see if I could turn it into a really satisfying story. To my surprise, I managed to do just that!”
For many readers who grew up with the original books, the release of the third Gruffalo title offers a unique full-circle moment.
Those who once heard the story as children will now have the chance to read the latest installment to their own little ones.
In the first story, readers followed a clever mouse as it outwitted a series of predators—including a fox, an owl, and a snake—by inventing a terrifying creature known as the Gruffalo, only to later discover the Gruffalo was real.
In the sequel, the Gruffalo’s curious child set off on a quest to find the elusive “big, bad mouse,” leading to more woodland mischief and charm.
Donaldson expressed her joy that Axel Scheffler, the illustrator whose artwork has become synonymous with the Gruffalo series, returned to collaborate on the new book.
“I was delighted when Axel came on board again,” she said. “I really hope that children—and adults too—will enjoy the new story, as I know what a wonderful experience shared reading can be.”
Their partnership, spanning decades, has helped create an iconic series known for its rhythmic prose and expressive illustrations that captivate readers of all ages.
Macmillan Children’s Books, the publisher behind the series, has billed the upcoming release as “a fresh and exciting adventure that has all the hallmarks of a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler classic.”
The publishing house confirmed that the first two Gruffalo books have collectively sold 18 million copies worldwide, a testament to their enduring appeal.
The characters have also inspired Oscar-nominated animated films, merchandise, theatre productions, and educational resources—further solidifying their cultural impact.
NLT chief executive Jonathan Douglas praised the return of the Gruffalo, emphasizing its educational value.
“Reading and sharing stories is critical for shaping a child’s early speech and language development,” he said. Donaldson herself, despite her wide-ranging catalogue of over 200 published books, acknowledged the outsized influence the Gruffalo series has had.
Speaking to the BBC last year, she noted, “It’s amazing that The Gruffalo had such an impact—but sometimes I think it hogs too much of the attention.”
Still, with a new story on the horizon, the Gruffalo is poised to inspire a whole new generation of readers.
