The upcoming Gruffalo book, as disclosed by acclaimed children’s author Julia Donaldson, will introduce a new addition to the monster’s family. Scheduled for release on 10 September 2026, «Gruffalo Granny» marks the third installment in the series, following a gap of over 20 years since Donaldson’s previous venture into the deep dark wood with «The Gruffalo’s Child» in 2004, a sequel to the original bestseller from 1999.
The announcement of revisiting the iconic character with knobbly knees, turned out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of his nose was first made in April 2025. The forthcoming book will feature the introduction of the character Gruffalo Granny, with a snippet from the story stating, «The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay.»
Illustrated once again by Axel Scheffler, the book will also see the return of beloved characters from the previous two installments, including Fox, Snake, Owl, and Mouse. Donaldson expressed the challenges of creating a sequel, noting the significant time gaps between each release and the inspiration provided by the National Literacy Trust’s Early Words Matter program in bringing her initial idea to life.
With over 18 million copies sold collectively, «The Gruffalo» and «The Gruffalo’s Child» have been translated into 115 languages and dialects, captivating audiences worldwide. Fans were treated to a preview of Gruffalo Granny through Scheffler’s projected illustrations in central London and Glasgow, setting the stage for another enchanting chapter in the beloved series.
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