Julia Donaldson

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5 stars across 634 books

Julia Donaldson Biography
Julia Donaldson is the highly talented author of some of the best-loved children’s books in the world. Born in London in 1948, she grew up with her younger sister Mary who she loved to create imaginary characters with.

She started her career as a singer-songwriter, writing mainly for children’s television. One of these songs, A Squash and a Squeeze, was made into her first book in 1993 in collaboration with the illustrator, Axel Scheffler. The two have since gone on to produce a large number of bestselling picture books together, many of which have also been adapted into Julia Donaldson films on the BBC, such as The Highway Rat, Stick Man and The Gruffalo. The Gruffalo story is a particular favourite with children all over the world, with toys, activity books and even woodland trails featuring the Gruffalo characters. Julia has also worked with other famous illustrators including Lydia Monks and Nick Sharratt.

She has written over 150 books, including the Julia Donaldson Songbirds (readers that are part of the Oxford Reading Tree), which is used in schools. Aside from her picture books, Julia Donaldson's poems are also immensely popular (e.g. Crazy Mayonnaisy Mum for ages 5-7; Wriggle and Roar for pre-school; The Paper Dolls book and CD) and she has also written a few non-rhyming books for older children. These include the Princess Mirror-Belle books aimed at 6-9 year olds, and Running on the Cracks, a novel for teenagers. Julia Donaldson books sell all over the world, making her one of the UK’s top selling authors.

Julia Donaldson’s new book The Teeny Weeny Genie, illustrated by Anna Currey, came out in July 2020.

Julia Donaldson Facts
- Julia Donaldson is a CBE and was Children’s Laureate from 2011-2013
- She decided she wanted to be a writer when her father gave her a big book of poems for her fifth birthday.
- The Gruffalo, one of the most successful Julia Donaldson stories, has been translated into over 43 different languages, including Scottish Gaelic. If you love the Gruffalo book, check out some of the great activities here, as well as the Gruffalo song.

We also love the Julia Donaldson collection in audio, with many brilliant readers such as Imelda Staunton and Alexander Armstrong.

Our Favourite Julia Donaldson Characters: Stick Man in Stick Man, Mouse in The Gruffalo, Spike and Sue in Songbirds Phonic Readers, The Witch in Room on the Broom

Key Julia Donaldson Series: The Gruffalo and Tales from Acorn Wood illustrated by Axel Scheffler, Princess Mirror-Belle and What the Ladybird Heard illustrated by Lydia Monks, Songbird Phonics with Oxford Reading Tree

Our Favourite Julia Donaldson audiobooks: Superworm - narrated by Imelda Staunton, Room and the Broom book and song - narrated by Josie Lawrence, What the Ladybird Heard - narrated by Alexander Armstrong, The Detective Dog - narrated by Floella Benjamin

The most popular Julia Donaldson books in order:
A Squash and a Squeeze (1993)
The Gruffalo (1999)
Monkey Puzzle (2000)
Room on the Broom (2002)
The Smartest Giant in Town (2002)
The Snail and the Whale (2003)
Fox’s Socks (2003)
Rabbit’s Nap (2003)
The Gruffalo’s Child (2004)
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book (2005)
Stick Man (2008)
What the Ladybird Heard (2009)
Zog(2010)
The Highway Rat (2011)
The Paper Dolls (2012)
Superworm(2012)
Sugarlump and the Unicorn (2013)
The Scarecrows’ Wedding (2014)
The Detective Dog (2016)
The Everywhere Bear (2017)
The Teeny Weeny Genie (2020)

All the Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Books in Order:

A Squash and a Squeeze (1993)
The Gruffalo (1999)
Monkey Puzzle (2000)
Room on the Broom (2002)
The Smartest Giant in Town (2002)
The Snail and the Whale (2003)
The Gruffalo’s Child (2004)
Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book (2005)
Stick Man (2008)
Tiddler (2009)
Tabby McTat (2009)
Zog (2010)
The Highway Rat (2011)
Superworm(2012)
The Scarecrows’ Wedding (2014)
Zog and the Flying Doctors (2016)
The Ugly Five (2017)
The Smeds and the Smoos (2019)

Tales from Acorn Wood series:
Fox’s Socks (2003)
Rabbit’s Nap (2003)
Hide-and-Seek Pig (2003)
Postman Bear (2003)
Friends (2019)

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Publication Date

Series

The Gruffalo

21st April 2016

The Gruffalo

The nation's favourite bedtime story! Walk into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse ... MoreThe Gruffalo

(393 reviews) Review

Room on the Broom

1st September 2002

Room on the Broom

The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away ... MoreRoom on the Broom

(391 reviews) Review

The Smartest Giant in Town

5th September 2003

The Smartest Giant in Town

George wished he wasn't the scruffiest giant in town. So when he sees a new shop selling giant-sized clothes, he decid... MoreThe Smartest Giant in Town

(245 reviews) Review

Stick Man

7th September 2009

Stick Man

'Stick Man lives in the family tree With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three'. But it's dangerous being a... MoreStick Man

(170 reviews) Review

The Gruffalo's Child

21st April 2016

The Gruffalo's Child

Join the Gruffalo's Child for a BIG adventure in this clever rhyming sequel to much-loved modern classic, The Gruffalo, ... MoreThe Gruffalo's Child

(164 reviews) Review

The Snail and the Whale

21st April 2016

The Snail and the Whale

A rhyming story about adventure and friendship, The Snail and the Whale is a bestselling classic by the unparalleled pic... MoreThe Snail and the Whale

(153 reviews) Review

Superworm

6th September 2012

Superworm

Meet the wiggliest, squiggliest superhero in the world in the funny picture book by the number one bests... MoreSuperworm

(152 reviews) Review

A Squash and a Squeeze

4th June 2004

A Squash and a Squeeze

''Wise old man, won't you help me, please? My house is a squash and squeeze.'' What can you do if your house is... MoreA Squash and a Squeeze

(139 reviews) Review

Tales From Acorn Wood: Fox's Socks

1st January 2011

Tales From Acorn Wood: Fox's Socks

"Poor old fox has lost his socks. He looks in a chest and finds a vest." Can you help fox find his socks? Are they in th... MoreTales From Acorn Wood: Fox's Socks

(137 reviews) Review

Monkey Puzzle

21st April 2016

Monkey Puzzle

A funny, rhyming story packed full of favourite jungle animals, Monkey Puzzle is a bestselling classic from the unparall... MoreMonkey Puzzle

(116 reviews) Review

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New Book

Zog (15th Anniversary Edition)

1st June 2026

(0 reviews)

Coming Soon

Tabby McTat (15th Anniversary Edition)

Hardback

1st July 2026

Recent Reviews

One Mole Digging A Hole

by Amaka12

A book my little one wanted because it's been read at nursery. Colourful pages and easy to finish the rhyming sentences using the object on each page....
The Gruffalo's Child

by Georgia.arly

I liked this book just as much as the first book and my child recognised the gruffalo character and enjoyed the first book, so she loved this one! The...
Monkey Puzzle

by Georgia.arly

My child loves the colours in this book and gets very excited when reading it. I like the way the words flow together and the rhymes are great. I thou...