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The new children’s story will be published on September 10 2026, Macmillan has announced.
The third instalment comes more than 20 years after author Julia Donaldson’s last foray into the deep dark wood with 2004’s The Gruffalo’s Child, a sequel to 1999’s best-selling original The Gruffalo.
The news that Donaldson would be revisiting the character with knobbly knees, turned out toes and a poisonous wart on the end of his nose was first announced in April 2025, when she said she was spurred on to write by a campaign to reverse a decline in children’s reading.
The upcoming release will feature a visit from new character the Gruffalo Granny, with an excerpt reading: “The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay.”
The story, which will feature illustrations by Donaldson’s frequent collaborator Axel Scheffler, will see the return of the characters from the previous two books, including Fox, Snake, Owl and Mouse.
Donaldson 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.
“It was only when the National Literacy Trust, 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.
“To my surprise, I managed to do just that! I was of course delighted when Axel came on board, and am even more so now that I’ve seen the brilliant illustrations he’s 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.”
Scheffler added: “Never say never – a lesson learnt for me who, whenever asked, denied the possibility of another visit to the deep dark wood.
“Till one day out of the blue there came a wonderfully clever and inspired new text by Julia. How does she do this? Could I decline? Of course not!
“As I have had to draw the odd Gruffalo and his daughter over the last 20 years, I’m not completely out of practice.
“I’m also very happy that the Gruffalos will get involved in some charitable activities to reach even more young readers with support from the National Literacy Trust.”
The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child have sold more than 18 million copies combined and the books have been translated into 115 languages and dialects.
Fans will get the chance to get a first look at the Gruffalo Granny when Scheffler’s never-seen-before illustration will be projected in central London and Glasgow on Friday evening.
Alison Ruane, managing director at Macmillan Children’s Books, said: “The impact that Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler and The Gruffalo have had on families around the world can not be underestimated, the sheer amount of global excitement following the announcement of the new book has been evidence of this.
“We are so proud to publish Julia and Axel here at Macmillan’s Children’s Books, and we can’t wait for children and families to experience this new story together, especially in the National Year of Reading.
“Get ready for this September, Granny is coming to stay.”
Donaldson and Scheffler’s many collaborations include The Snail And The Whale, Room On The Broom, Stick Man, Tiddler, The Scarecrows’ Wedding and The Highway Rat.
Televised animations of their best-loved stories have become a staple of the festive calendar and many of their books have also been adapted for the stage.
