The Gruffalo returns after 20 years. In the third book there will be the grandmother

After 20 years of waiting, the Adventures of the Gruffalo who this time, in addition to his little one, will be in the company of nonna. The author announced it, Julia Donaldsonon BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. The London-based writer had already announced months ago that she would publish the third book which sees as its protagonist the now famous “monstrous creature, half bear and half buffalo, with tremendous fangs, sharp claws, a soft tongue and purple quills on its fur”, however nothing had transpired. Until today, when Donaldson announced the title (and the new protagonist) of the new story: “Grandma Gruffalo”.

Very few details have been leaked, with the exception of a sentence that immerses us directly in the story: “One day the Gruffalo said to his daughter: ‘Grandma Gruffalo is coming to stay with us’”. The third chapter of the saga will be released in version paperback and audiobook il September 10th.

“Writing a sequel is always a challenge,” declared Donaldson, who collaborates with the illustrator for his stories Axel Scheffler. “I’ve had this idea for almost twenty years, but I’ve been too busy writing other things. And now I’m a grandmother too, so maybe that’s what made me do it.”

“I’ve been saying there won’t be a sequel for more than twenty years, and this has taught me to never say never,” commented Axel Scheffler. “It was a total surprise to me, but Julia came up with such a wonderful story that I was thrilled.”

Global success

Il Gruffalo was first published in 1999followed five years later by its sequel, “The Gruffalo and His Little One.” Both books tell an adventure in a forest full of animalswith the story told in rhyming couplets. The first two books sold more than 18 million copies in 115 languages ​​worldwide.

The inspiration for the third chapter

“I actually had the basic idea for the story a long time ago, but I couldn’t figure out how to develop it,” the author explained. “It wasn’t until the National Literacy Trustwhose work I greatly appreciate, used the first two books as part of the program Early Words Matter that I felt compelled to pull my idea out of the drawer and see once and for all if I could turn it into a truly satisfying story. To my great surprise, I succeeded!”.

From book to animated short film

In 2009, the original story — which tells of a clever little mouse who deceives a series of predators while walking through a thick, dark forest until meeting the Gruffalo — has become a animated short film nominated for an Oscar broadcast on BBC One, with James CordenRob Brydon e Helena Bonham Carter who lent their voices to some characters.

The Donaldson phenomenon

Julia Donaldson is one of children’s authors most loved and influential of the last decades: British, former singer-songwriter and performer, she has built a highly recognizable narrative universe thanks to rhyming lyricsmusical rhythm and an extraordinary ability to speak to children without ever oversimplifying. His style combines orality, humor and rhythmic and repetitive structures that invite reading aloudoften accompanied by memorable characters and clever twists. Much of its success is linked to collaboration with Schefflerwith which he created modern classics such as The Gruffalo and Gruffalo and his little girl, but also Stick; Superverme; The witch Rossell; The snail and the whale; Walking with the monster. Stories that, behind the apparent simplicity, address themes such as cunning, fear, autonomy and empathy, making Donaldson a central voice in contemporary children’s literature.