Gruffalo Granny Set To Enchant Readers This September

It’s been a quarter-century since a little brown mouse first tiptoed through the pages of The Gruffalo, outwitting predators in the deep, dark wood and introducing generations of readers to a monster with "terrible tusks and terrible claws"—and a surprising soft side. Now, in a move that has fans young and old buzzing with anticipation, author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler are set to release a brand-new chapter in the Gruffalo saga: Gruffalo Granny, arriving globally on September 10, 2026.

The announcement, made on February 6, 2026, during Donaldson’s interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, marks the return of one of children’s literature’s most beloved characters after more than two decades. Donaldson revealed, “I’ve had this idea for two decades but I’ve just been so busy writing other things... and now I’m a granny myself, maybe that’s what spurred me on.” Her candid admission offers a glimpse into the personal inspiration behind the new story, a theme that resonates throughout the Gruffalo universe: the intertwining of imagination and lived experience.

Since its debut in 1999, The Gruffalo has sold over 18 million copies worldwide and been translated into 115 languages and dialects, according to BBC and Macmillan Children’s Books. The original tale, inspired by a Chinese fable and told in Donaldson’s signature rhyming couplets, follows a clever mouse who invents a fearsome monster to scare off would-be predators, only to discover the Gruffalo is real. Its sequel, The Gruffalo’s Child, arrived in 2004, expanding the woodland cast and deepening the story’s legacy.

The new book, Gruffalo Granny, will introduce a brand-new family member—Granny herself—while bringing back cherished characters like Fox, Snake, Owl, and Mouse. An excerpt shared by Macmillan teases the familial twist: “The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, ‘Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay.’” The return of these familiar faces is sure to delight fans who have grown up with the series, as well as a new generation of readers discovering the deep dark wood for the first time.

For illustrator Axel Scheffler, the announcement was as much a surprise as it was a delight. “I’ve been saying for more than 20 years there won’t be a sequel, and it’s taught me to never say never,” he told BBC. “It was a complete surprise for me, but Julia came up with such a wonderful story and I got very excited about it.” Scheffler’s distinctive artwork—those orange eyes, black tongue, and purple prickles—has become inseparable from Donaldson’s text, creating a visual language that children instantly recognize. His pride in the character’s enduring popularity is palpable. “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!”

Though Donaldson and Scheffler’s partnership began in the early 1990s with A Squash and a Squeeze, it was the Gruffalo that catapulted them into the literary stratosphere. Their collaborations have since included Room on the Broom, Stick Man, The Snail and the Whale, and many more. Their stories have not only filled bookshelves but have also leapt onto the stage and screen. The original Gruffalo story was adapted into an Oscar-nominated animated short film in 2009, with its sequel earning a BAFTA nomination in 2011. According to the BBC, their televised adaptations are now a festive staple, drawing millions of viewers each holiday season.

The journey to Gruffalo Granny was not without its challenges. Donaldson confessed that writing a sequel after so many years was “a challenge,” and that her son’s advice played a pivotal role: “He said, ‘Mum, what you should do is just spend about a fortnight really, really trying to write the new story that’s semi in your head. If you can’t do that, that’s the whole thing knocked on the head. I thought that was very good advice.’” She also credited the National Literacy Trust’s Early Words Matter programme, which used the first two books to promote childhood reading, as a catalyst for dusting off her long-held idea and finally bringing it to life. “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!”

Publisher Macmillan Children’s Books is planning a major celebration for the new release. On the evening of February 6, Scheffler’s never-before-seen illustration of Gruffalo Granny will be projected in central London and Glasgow, offering fans a first glimpse of the new character. Alison Ruane, managing director at Macmillan, emphasized the global impact of the Gruffalo franchise: “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.”

The Gruffalo’s enduring appeal lies in its delicate balance of fear and comfort, suspense and humor—a combination that has made it as beloved by parents as by children. Donaldson mused, “I think we’re the wrong people to ask. It’s like asking a huntsman what it feels like to be hit with an arrow.” But she admits that “the grownups like the story as well. Sometimes – I know from my own experience – you get a book that your child likes and you want to put it down the back of the radiator.”

As the countdown to September 10 begins, Scheffler reflected on the Gruffalo’s journey: “The Gruffalo hasn’t changed after all these years.” Despite the passage of time, the magic of the deep dark wood—and its unforgettable monster—remains as powerful as ever. With Gruffalo Granny, Donaldson and Scheffler invite readers to once again walk the winding woodland path, proving that some stories only grow richer with age.