Gruffalo Granny: Third Book Title and Publication Date Announced
The beloved Gruffalo family is set to expand with the long-awaited third book in the series, titled Gruffalo Granny. Publisher Macmillan has confirmed the new children's story will be released on September 10, 2026, marking a significant return to the deep dark wood after more than two decades.
A Long-Awaited Return to the Deep Dark Wood
This third instalment arrives over twenty years after author Julia Donaldson's last Gruffalo adventure, The Gruffalo's Child, which was published in 2004 as a sequel to the original 1999 bestseller, The Gruffalo. The news that Donaldson would revisit the iconic monster with knobbly knees and a poisonous wart was first announced in April 2025, driven by a campaign to combat declining children's reading rates.
The upcoming book will introduce a new character, the Gruffalo Granny, with an excerpt hinting at the plot: "The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Familiar faces from the previous books, including Fox, Snake, Owl, and Mouse, will also make a return, accompanied by illustrations from Donaldson's frequent collaborator, Axel Scheffler.
Inspiration and Collaboration Behind the New Story
Julia Donaldson shared insights into the creative process, noting the challenge of writing 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," she said. Donaldson revealed she had the basic idea for the story long ago but struggled to develop it until the National Literacy Trust's Early Words Matter programme, which used the first two books, inspired her to revisit the concept.
"To my surprise, I managed to do just that!" Donaldson exclaimed. "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."
Axel Scheffler expressed his initial reluctance, saying, "Never say never – a lesson learnt for me who, whenever asked, denied the possibility of another visit to the deep dark wood." He credited Donaldson's "wonderfully clever and inspired new text" for changing his mind. Scheffler added, "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."
Global Impact and Anticipation
The Gruffalo series has achieved remarkable success, with The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child selling over 18 million copies combined and translated into 115 languages and dialects. Fans can get a first look at Gruffalo Granny through a never-seen-before illustration by Scheffler, which will be projected in central London and Glasgow on Friday evening.
Alison Ruane, managing director at Macmillan Children's Books, highlighted the global excitement, stating, "The impact that Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler and The Gruffalo have had on families around the world can not be underestimated. 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 collaborations extend beyond the Gruffalo series, including popular titles like The Snail And The Whale, Room On The Broom, and Stick Man. Their stories have become festive staples through televised animations and stage adaptations, further cementing their place in children's literature.
