Julia Donaldson: The Gruffalo hogs too much attention

Author Julia Donaldson celebrates the 25th anniversary of “The Gruffalo,” recognizing its status as a modern classic.

The author Julia Donaldson is marking the 25th anniversary of the book which has become a modern classic.

Since its release in 1999, The Gruffalo, characterized by knobbly knees, turned-out toes, and a poisonous wart at the end of its nose, has captured the hearts of families worldwide. Alongside its sequel, The Gruffalo’s Child, the series has amassed over 18 million copies in global sales and has been adapted into an animated feature by the BBC.

However, Julia Donaldson, the author who crafted the tale during her time in Glasgow, expressed to BBC Scotland News that she believes The Gruffalo receives an excessive amount of attention. Despite being the creative mind behind 210 books, such as Room on the Broom and Tabby McTat, Donaldson acknowledged the incredible impact of The Gruffalo while also stating her preference for when readers highlight her other works as favorites.

In a conversation with BBC Radio Scotland’s Lunchtime Live, Donaldson remarked, “I think The Gruffalo’s the one everyone has heard of, even people who haven’t read the book. To be honest, what I like is when people single out one of my other books as their favorite, as I think The Gruffalo hogs too much of the attention really.”

To commemorate the anniversary of her book, Donaldson recently revisited the Angus primary school where she initially shared the story with children in 1995, even before its official publication. The author dedicated the book to the students at Auchterhouse Primary School when it was eventually published four years later, following a delightful visit. Despite hailing from Hampstead, London, Donaldson confessed that she harbored no expectations of success when writing the book, considering her prior experiences of facing rejections for other stories she had penned. At 75 years old, she reflected, “I didn’t really think it was going to get published. I had no idea. I had received quite a few rejections for other stories I’d written.”

Originally, the book’s central character was intended to be a tiger, but Julia Donaldson struggled to find a suitable rhyme for it. The concept of The Gruffalo emerged because its name conveniently rhymed with the exclamation “Oh help, oh no!”

Donaldson had the idea for the story in her mind for approximately a year before she began writing it, and her children played a role in its development. When she reached a creative block about halfway through, one of her sons encouraged her to continue, saying he really liked the story. Another son questioned the logic of animals running away from mice, suggesting they should simply eat the mice. This input inspired the inclusion of the narrative element where the mouse claims to be meeting The Gruffalo, a creature known for devouring foxes or snakes.

While the writing process didn’t take too long, the book faced a delay in publication as it languished on one publisher’s desk for about a year.

The book has been translated into 107 languages and dialects since its initial release. Serving as Children’s Laureate from 2011 to 2013, Donaldson was honored with a CBE in 2018 for her contributions to literature. In addition to her writing, she frequently engages with audiences at book festivals and theaters, encouraging children to bring her stories to life through acting. Presently, she collaborates with the Scottish Book Trust to provide additional books to children and families visiting food banks throughout Scotland.

The creator of the much-adored children’s character, the Gruffalo, expressed concerns about the overwhelming focus on the Gruffalo, to the detriment of her other works. It’s understandable that the Gruffalo has captured the hearts of so many with its delightful storytelling and charming characters, but it seems that its success has inadvertently overshadowed Donaldson’s other equally wonderful creations.

In her candid interview, Donaldson revealed her hopes for readers to explore her other stories and characters, highlighting the depth and diversity of her literary repertoire. As fans, it’s a gentle nudge for us to delve into the rich tapestry of stories Donaldson has to offer beyond the iconic Gruffalo. Let’s show some love for all of her creations by immersing ourselves in the enchanting world of Julia Donaldson’s imagination. After all, there’s more to her treasure trove of tales than meets the eye. What do you think about the Gruffalo taking center stage? We’d love to hear your thoughts!