Julia Donaldson’s books: a guide

Paperback: 3-5 years

Julia Donaldson's characters are loved around the world, and none more so than the Gruffalo. It has been more than two decades since the little mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood, and millions of kids and adults worldwide fell in love with the creature with terrible tusks and claws. Also available in the beautiful hardback edition.

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

Step back into the deep, dark woods for a special celebration with The Gruffalo’s Child 20th Anniversary Edition! This beloved story of curiosity and bravery comes with a sparkly new cover and fantastic bonus content. Follow the Gruffalo’s Child as she ventures out in search of the Big Bad Mouse, with captivating rhymes that have delighted families for two decades. Plus, with fun extras like character headbands and a sing-along song, this edition brings extra magic to storytime.

Board book: 2-4 years

Oh help! Oh no! It’s a pop-up Gruffalo! Make storytime even more magical with this interactive lift-the-flap pop-up board book, based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic tale, The Gruffalo. With a simple, rhyming text adapted from the original story, sturdy board book pages and flaps for little hands to lift, meet the creatures who live in the deep dark wood.

Board book: 1 - 6 years

How will the Gruffalo celebrate his birthday? Lift the flaps to find out as you meet all your favourite characters from the deep dark wood in this brilliant board book – and look out for the surprise pop-up ending! Celebrate twenty-five years of the bestselling modern classic, this is a must-have for all Gruffalo fans.

Hardback: 3 - 7 years

With bonus content to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, discover this bestselling story of a witch and her cat, and the medley of creatures that hitch a ride on her broom. The witch loses her hat, bow and wand which are returned by a dog, a bird and a frog, all eager for a ride on her broom. It’s the more the merrier until the broom snaps under its heavy load – and there’s a greedy dragon looking for a snack. 

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

Celebrate Halloween with the witch and her friends in this special edition of the bestselling classic Room on the Broom, with a stunning neon orange cover and lots of fun extras! This is the ideal Halloween gift for young children, with the full classic story, tips for hosting your very own party and some spooky things to make and do: create a truly magnificent witch's hat and bake some cheese wands - so delicious they'll disappear in a flash. 

Paperback: 3 - 5 years

A celebration of the joy of reading, Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book is a story about how anyone can find magic within the pages of a book. With Julia Donaldson’s trademark rhyming verse and Axel Scheffler’s illustrations, celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of this iconic partnership and embark on an adventure with Charlie Cook as he comes across aliens, frogs, monarchs and even Goldilocks! Also available in hardback. 

Hardback: 3 - 7 years

With bonus content, this hardback edition of Julia Donaldson's classic tale of friendship with one very scruffy, but very kind and much-loved giant. George doesn’t want to be the scruffiest giant in town, so when he sees a giant-sized clothes shop he decides it’s time for a smart new look. His new clothes make him the smartest giant in town, until some new friends need his help.

Hardback: 3 - 7 years

Go on an adventure with a tiny snail and the great big grey-blue humpback whale in this anniversary edition of the much-loved The Snail and the Whale. A little snail hitches a ride on the tail of a whale and feels so small in the vast world he sees. But when disaster strikes, it’s the tiny snail who saves the day. Julia Donaldson's characters will charm little ones in this story of friendship. 

Paperback: 2 - 4 years

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s creation Zog is a studious but very accident-prone dragon who forges an unlikely friendship with a mysterious princess. Zog is the keenest dragon in school. He's also the most accident-prone. Luckily, a mysterious little girl always comes by and patches up his bumps and bruises. But will she be able to help Zog with his toughest test: capturing a princess?

Hardback: 3 - 7 years

It's time to grab those wellies and head into the great outdoors with this fun activity book, featuring characters from four bestselling picture books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: The Snail and the Whale, The Gruffalo's Child, The Smartest Giant in Town and A Squash and a Squeeze. Explore nature together, with easy to follow guidelines and plenty of hints and tips to engage kids. 

Board Book: 2 - 5 years

Can you help Fox find his missing sock and Mole look for his glasses? Join Fox, Mole, and more favourite friends from Acorn Wood in this colourful illustrated board book. With sturdy pages for little hands to turn, and lots of fun details to spot and talk about on every page, this book is a wonderful introduction to the characters in from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s series for preschoolers, Tales from Acorn Wood. 

Board book: 2 - 5 years

Lift the flaps and join in the fun with this bestselling preschool classic, Fox's Socks by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Poor old Fox has lost his socks – can you help him find them? Are they in the kitchen or under the stairs? Are they inside the clock or hidden in a chest? This is the first book in the duo's iconic Tales From Acorn Wood series.

Board book: 2 - 5 years

Hare has been invited to a dance in Acorn Wood. But she needs a new dress first. . . Lift the flaps to join in the excitement as Hare tries on lots of different outfits, then heads to Acorn Hall for a party with her friends. This is the latest addition to the Tales from Acorn Wood series.

Hardback: 3 -7 years

From the author and illustrator partnership that brought us the What the Ladybird Heard books comes a brand new toothy tale. Ruth Mary the tooth fairy is used to collecting teeth from little girls and boys, so when she heads to the jungle to meet a hungry little crocodile, she’s in for a big surprise! Will Ruth Mary make it back from the jungle in one piece? A fun rhyming adventure to read with little ones experiencing the excitement of having wobbly teeth, The Tooth Fairy and the Crocodile is sure to become a firm favourite.

Paperback: 3 - 6 years

Lydia Monks’ bright, bold illustrations and Julia Donaldson’s trademark rhymes combine in the What the Ladybird Heard picture book series. Following the story of a crime-fighting ladybird and her animal friends, these books would make an excellent gift for children who love The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom. 

Paperback: 3 - 6 years

Head back to the farm in What the Ladybird Heard Next. In this fantastically funny follow-up, dastardly duo Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len are out of jail and back to their usual antics. Young readers are guaranteed to giggle at the capers of the ladybird and her cast of critters as they convince the robbers to go after the extremely elusive Snuggly Snerd.

Paperback: 3 - 6 years

Go on an adventure from the comfort of your own home with Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’s third What the Ladybird Heard book. The little ladybird is heading to the city on holiday just as Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh have hatched a plan to steal the Queen’s crown. With beautifully illustrated cityscape scenes and a whole new cast of animals to meet at the zoo, this story is a firm favourite with young animal lovers.

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

Summer is on its way, and the clever little ladybird is off for a day out at the beach. Join the ladybird as she meets a cast of sea creatures and stops Lanky Len and Hefty Hugh from getting up to their usual tricks. Animal-mad little ones will love spotting the story’s seaside inhabitants in this glittery seaside adventure.

Hardback: 3 - 6 years

What the Ladybird Heard at Christmas is the perfect book to read with little ones during the festive run-up. In a big old house, the ladybird is visiting her friend the spider for the festive season. But those two bad men, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, are up to no good again. The clever little ladybird has overheard their devious plan - to steal the children's Christmas presents, and she has a cunning plan to make sure they don't get away with it! 

Paperback: 3 -6 years

Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ What the Ladybird Heard has delighted millions of young readers all over the world, and 2024 marks fifteen years since it was first published! This spring, join the little ladybird and her farmyard friends to celebrate with this special anniversary edition, which comes with a shiny foiled cover and a letter to young readers from Julia Donaldson herself. 

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

Dive into the deep sea and meet the Singing Mermaid in this illustrated tale by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. With Julia’s trademark rhyming verse, Lydia’s bright, bold illustrations and glitter on every page, this story of a captive mermaid who longs to get back to the freedom of the ocean again will be loved by kids and parents alike.

Paperback: 6 - 8 years

Ideal for children who are starting to read more independently, this chapter book series by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks follows the adventures of the magically mischievous Princess Mirror-Belle. Ellen's life is turned upside down by the hilarious Mirror-Belle, a spirited princess who claims to be from somewhere mysterious and far away. 

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

The Rhyming Rabbit loves to make up entertaining poems, inspired by everything he sees, but the other rabbits don’t appreciate his talent for rhyme. Sad and lonely, the Rhyming Rabbit sets off one starry night all on his own – will he ever find someone to share his poems with?

Hardback: 3 - 7 years

Julia Donaldson celebrates her readers in this picture book, inspired by the children she has met at hundreds of book signings over the years. From months of the year, colours, flowers, food and gemstones, Julia has seamlessly grouped together a charming selection of children's names and woven them together in her unmistakable rhyming style. Set in a magical transforming bookshop, A Book of Names is a love letter to the world of books and young bookworms.

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

This brilliantly funny story about accepting and celebrating difference is perfect for little dinosaur fans. When a placid duckbill dinosaur's egg ends up in a tyrannosaurus rex's nest, there's no end of confusion! Tyrannosauruses are supposed to be fierce, but the poor baby dinosaur just wants a peaceful life chomping on water weed. This fun rhyming adventure by Julia Donaldson is wonderfully illustrated by David Roberts.

Paperback: 3 - 6 years

This laugh-out-loud pirate adventure is perfect for fans of the much-loved Tyrannosaurus Drip. The Troll is dreaming of a tasty goat to eat, but all he's got for supper is boring old fish! Hank Chief and his pirate crew love fish, but without a decent recipe their dinner is just as slimy and soggy as The Troll's. If they could find their buried treasure they could pay for a ship's cook, but they've sailed to the wrong island. Again . . .

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

There once was a very hungry king, who needed a cook like anything. He tries all the cooks in the kingdom, but no one is good enough. Then he spots Wobbly Bob. Maybe Bob can whip up his favourite dinner? But how will Bob be able to cook for the king when he’s scared of . . . well, everything?! A laugh-out-loud picture book from Julia Donaldson, illustrated by David Roberts, The Cook and the King is the story of a hungry, but very fussy king and his search for the perfect cook. 

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

A charming minibeast twist on the ugly duckling story. Crawling through the garden, the little Woolly Bear Caterpillar wonders what kind of moth she will become. Bonny and bright, stunning and smart, but not kind, the other caterpillars laugh at the small, plain Woolly Bear. There is one thing that they are sure of: Woolly Bear could never be as beautiful as them! But could one little caterpillar be about to undergo a truly terrific transformation?

Hardback: 3 - 5 years

It's springtime. Bear has woken up hungry and finds a lost egg outside his cave. Breakfast? No! Out hatches Gozzle, a very sweet little gosling who is convinced that Bear must be her daddy – and that she should be able to climb, dig and eat honey just like him. Follow Bear on his journey from reluctant carer to parent in this heartwarming and joyous picture book about what home and family truly mean.

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

Join detective dog Nell as she solves the mystery of the missing books in this bestselling story by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie. With bright, vibrant illustrations and lots of rhymes you can read together, The Detective Dog is guaranteed to become a firm favourite for children of all ages.

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

The Hospital Dog is a big-hearted tale about a very special, very brave dog. After their breakfast and a swim in the sea, Dot and her owner Rose jump on the bus to the hospital. Dot loves visiting the children of Wallaby Ward and they’re always pleased to see her too. But the work of the hospital dog doesn’t stop there and when one of her patients is in trouble, it’s up to Dot to save the day!

Hardback: 3 - 6 years

In this stunning book about colours full of gorgeous, breathtaking landscapes, with amazing flaps to lift and holes to peep through, follow a little girl as she paints her own adventure with her bright blue tree frog companion. With luscious green trees to climb and red hot air balloons to sail away in, children will delight in the rhyming text and vibrant artwork while learning about different colours.

Paperback: 3 - 7 years

With Sharon King-Chai’s beautiful bold illustrations, peep-through pages and Julia Donaldson’s trademark rhythmic writing, this award-winning collaboration is a non-fiction children’s book to be treasured forever. Packed with facts about a huge array of animals, you’ll read Animalphabet together for years to come.

Paperback:3 - 7 years

This Julia Donaldson book is stunningly illustrated by Sharon King-Chai. It is a fun, interactive counting book with peep-through pages, fold-out flaps and bright, beautiful artwork. Little ones will love comparing the creatures, exploring their habitats and learning the proper names for all the baby animals.

Paperback: 2 - 6 years

The Go-Away Bird is a tale of friendship and working together, written in Julia Donaldson's trademark rhyming verse. One by one, the other birds fly into her tree, wanting to talk or to play, but the Go-Away bird just shakes her head and sends them all away. But then the dangerous Get-You bird comes along, and she soon realizes that she might need some friends after all. 

Paperback: 2 - 5 years

The Bowerbird is the irresistible tale of Bert – a small bird with a very big heart. Bert the bowerbird has made the most perfect bower nest, complete with a pretty purple flower, and is hoping it will help him to meet the bird of his dreams. But will all his efforts to create a beautiful display be enough to win over Nanette?

Paperback: 3 - 5 years

When a hairy mammoth takes a baby on a ride through the moonlit landscape, they see a sabre-toothed tiger, a leaping hare, a laughing hyena and a big brown bear. But where are they going? This Julia Donaldson book is full of wonder, mischief and beautiful illustrations by Emily Gravett. 

Paperback: 0 - 5 years

When little Ted falls out of bed, he finds himself on an incredible adventure thanks to three little mice. As they count the things they see, from fast cars to kind dolls and a huge mountain of blocks Ted starts to feel sleepy. Will he ever get back to bed for a night’s rest? With One Ted Falls Out of Bed turning twenty this year, celebrate with this beautiful, foil-covered new anniversary edition of Julia Donaldson and Anna Currey’s classic counting adventure. 

Paperback: 2 - 6 years

This Julia Donaldson book is full of farmyard fun and is illustrated by Anna Currey in her classic style. Old Macdonald is taken aback when he finds an old teapot while cleaning and out pops a genie! He wishes for a wife, who wishes for a baby. The baby wishes for a dog, who wishes for a cat, who wishes for a mouse and soon the farmyard is very noisy and very crowded! 

A real treat for poetry lovers of all ages, Pick and Mix Poetry by Julia Donaldson features a curated selection of poems, both old and new, for readers to discover and rediscover time and again. The collection includes poems about everything from swallows and hedgehogs to football and first days at school. Beautifully illustrated in full, vivid colour by Becky Thorns and with an introduction by Julia Donaldson, this is a poetry anthology to enjoy and cherish for years to come.