Julia Donaldson

Stories that sing, rhyme, and come alive

Julia Donaldson is one of Britain’s most beloved children’s authors, and with good reason. Her books are read aloud in nurseries and homes all over the country, creating magical moments of laughter, rhythm and rhyme. From the iconic Gruffalo to the heartwarming Stick Man, her stories have become part of childhood itself.

📚 A Bit About Julia

Before she was a bestselling author, Julia Donaldson was a songwriter for children’s television. Her love of rhythm and rhyme shines through in every story she writes. Over the years, she’s collaborated with illustrators like Axel Scheffler to create an instantly recognisable style: funny, lyrical stories with bold, expressive illustrations and memorable characters.

As a former Children’s Laureate, Julia Donaldson has also been a champion for early literacy and the importance of shared reading. Her books are especially popular with parents, teachers, and speech therapists for their rich vocabulary and joyful use of language.

🎤 Interview with Julia Donaldson*

*Not a real interview – just a warm, author-style spotlight.

What inspires your stories?
“I often start with a rhythm or rhyme in my head. Sometimes the idea grows from a silly phrase or a song. I also love theatre, so I think of my stories almost like little plays, with clear roles, repetition, and lots of chances to join in.”

Do you write with very young children in mind?
“Yes and no. I love writing for younger children, but I think grown-ups are part of the audience too. A good picture book should be fun to read aloud and enjoyable every time, not just the first time.”

You’ve worked with many illustrators. What makes a good author-illustrator partnership?
“Trust. I try not to be too prescriptive. Often the illustrator sees something in the story I didn’t, and that’s part of the magic. Axel and I have worked together for years, and I still love seeing his interpretation.”

Any advice for parents?
“Don’t worry too much about ‘teaching’ children to read before they’re ready. Just enjoy books together. Play with sounds, make silly voices, read favourite stories over and over. That’s what builds a love of language.”

📖 Popular Books by Julia Donaldson

The Gruffalo
A clever little mouse outwits forest predators by inventing a fearsome creature—only to discover it’s real!
Ages: 3–6 | Themes: Cleverness, fear, friendship

Room on the Broom
A kind-hearted witch makes space on her broom for lots of animal friends—but will they save her when danger strikes?
Ages: 3–7 | Themes: Sharing, kindness, teamwork

Stick Man
Stick Man just wants to get home to his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three.
Ages: 3–6 | Themes: Family, resilience, belonging

The Snail and the Whale
A small snail goes on a journey around the world with a great big whale, discovering the joy of adventure and helping others.
Ages: 4–8 | Themes: Adventure, courage, making a difference

Monkey Puzzle (also called Where’s My Mum?)
A little monkey has lost his mum. Can a helpful butterfly find her?
Ages: 2–5 | Themes: Families, emotions, reassurance

The Everywhere Bear
A cuddly class mascot has grand adventures when he’s accidentally lost—meeting new friends and seeing the world before finding his way home.
Ages: 3–6 | Themes: Friendship, adventure, belonging 🐻

❤️ Why We Love Julia Donaldson

• Her books are a delight to read aloud—perfect for bedtime, storytime or speech work.
• They encourage language play, pattern recognition, and early literacy in a joyful way.
• The stories grow with your child: simple enough for toddlers, rich enough for young readers to revisit.
• Many of them are available as board books, gift sets, playscripts, audiobooks and animations—making them extra versatile.

🌟More Julia Donaldson Books You Might Enjoy

The Detective Dog
When a school’s books mysteriously disappear, it’s Detective Dog Nell to the rescue! This cheerful rhyming story celebrates reading, sniffing out clues, and the joy of libraries.

The Paper Dolls (illustrated by Rebecca Cobb)
A gentle, poetic story about imagination, memory, and letting go — following a little girl and her chain of paper dolls as they go on magical adventures. Rebecca Cobb’s illustrations bring a tender, nostalgic charm.

Tiddler
Tiddler the little fish is always late — and always full of stories! A lively, underwater tale about creativity, storytelling, and how tall tales sometimes turn out to be true.

The Scarecrows’ Wedding
Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay are planning the best wedding ever — but there’s trouble when a flashy new scarecrow shows up. A fun and slightly cheeky tale with themes of loyalty and love.

Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book
A book within a book within a book… This clever, rhyming romp celebrates reading as we follow Charlie Cook and discover all sorts of readers and their favourite books. A joyful ode to storytelling.

The Highway Rat
A greedy rat gallops through the countryside, stealing food from everyone he meets… until he gets a taste of his own medicine. A swashbuckling rhyme with a classic villain-gets-what-he-deserves ending.

Zog
Zog is the keenest dragon in school — always trying his best, even if things don’t go quite to plan. A heartwarming tale of perseverance, kindness, and unexpected friendship, with Donaldson’s trademark rhyme and Scheffler’s lively, expressive artwork.

Zog and the Flying Doctors
In this sequel to Zog, Princess Pearl, Sir Gadabout, and Zog the dragon are now flying doctors — but not everyone approves. A fun twist on fairy tale roles and gender expectations.

Cave Baby (illustrated by Emily Gravett)
A mischievous baby gets in trouble for scribbling on the cave walls — but when a woolly mammoth comes along, things take a wild and wonderful turn. A playful prehistoric tale with beautiful artwork by Emily Gravett.

Sharing a Shell
Three sea creatures learn the ups and downs of cohabitation when they decide to share a shell. With rhythmic rhymes and a lively undersea setting, this cheerful story explores themes of sharing, cooperation, and friendship.