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Julia Donaldson

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Julia Donaldson

Julia Catherine Donaldson (née Shields; born 16 September 1948) is an English writer and playwright, and the 2011–2013 Children's Laureate. She is best known for her popular rhyming stories for children, especially those illustrated by Axel Scheffler, which include The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Stick Man. She originally wrote songs for children's television but has concentrated on writing books since the words of one of her songs, "A Squash and a Squeeze", were made into a children's book in 1993. Of her 184 published works, 64 are widely available in bookshops. The remaining 120 are intended for school use and include her Songbirds phonic reading scheme, which is part of the Oxford University Press's Oxford Reading Tree. In January 2025, Donaldson became Britain's best-selling author, surpassing J.K. Rowling by some 600,000 sales.

Infobox

Born
Julia Catherine Shields (1948-09-16) 16 September 1948 (age 77)Hampstead, London, England
Occupation
Writer, playwright
Alma mater
University of Bristol
Period
1993–present
Genre
Children's fiction, drama, and songs (retail and schools markets)
Notable works
The GruffaloRoom on the BroomStick Man
Spouse
mw- Malcolm Donaldson (m. 1972; died 2024)
Children
3 (1 deceased)
Relatives
Lola Young (great-niece)

Tables

· Works
1993
A Squash and a Squeeze
Role(s)
mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- } }ISBN 1-4050-0477-0
Notes
Axel Scheffler
1998
Books and Crooks (Play)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-7487-3656-0
1999
Role(s)
ISBN 0-333-71093-2
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2000
Monkey Puzzle
Role(s)
ISBN 0-333-72001-6
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Hide-and-Seek Pig (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-333-96625-9
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Postman Bear (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-333-96624-2
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Fox's Socks (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-333-96623-5
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Rabbit's Nap (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4052-1788-0
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2002
Role(s)
ISBN 0-333-90338-2
Notes
Axel Scheffler
The Smartest Giant in Town
Role(s)
ISBN 0-333-96396-2
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Night Monkey, Day Monkey
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-7497-4893-7
Notes
Lucy Richards
2003
Role(s)
ISBN 0-333-98224-X
Notes
Axel Scheffler
The Dinosaur's Diary
Role(s)
ISBN 0-141-31382-X
2004
One Ted Falls Out of Bed
Role(s)
ISBN 0-333-94782-7
Notes
Anna Currey
Role(s)
ISBN 1-4050-2045-8
Notes
Axel Scheffler
The Giants and the Joneses
Role(s)
ISBN 0-8050-7805-3
Notes
Greg Swearingen
The Magic Paintbrush
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-333-96443-9
Notes
Joel Stewart
The Wrong Kind of Bark
Role(s)
ISBN 1-4052-1062-1
Notes
Garry Parsons
Brick-a-Breck
Role(s)
ISBN 0-7136-6441-X
Notes
Philippe Dupasquier
Bombs and Blackberries
Role(s)
ISBN 0-7502-4125-X
Notes
Thomas Docherty
The Head in the Sand: A Roman Play
Role(s)
ISBN 0-7502-4127-6
Notes
Ross Collins
2005
Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose
Role(s)
ISBN 1-405-02190-X
Notes
Nick Sharratt
Charlie Cook's Favourite Book
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4050-3469-2
Notes
Axel Scheffler
The Gruffalo Song and Other Songs
Role(s)
ISBN 1-4050-2234-5
Notes
Axel Scheffler
The Quick Brown Fox Club
Role(s)
ISBN 1-4052-1268-3
Notes
Lucy Richards
Sharing a Shell
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4050-2048-0
Notes
Lydia Monks
Spinderella
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4052-8272-7
Notes
Sebastien Braun
Wriggle and Roar
Role(s)
ISBN 1-4050-2166-7
Notes
Nick Sharratt
Crazy Mayonnaisy Mum
Role(s)
ISBN 0-3304-1490-9
Notes
Nick Sharratt
Princess Mirror-Belle
Role(s)
ISBN 0-3304-1530-1
Notes
Lydia Monks
Princess Mirror-Belle and the Magic Shoes
Role(s)
ISBN 1-4050-4867-0
Notes
Lydia Monks
Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse
Role(s)
ISBN 0-3304-3795-X
Notes
Lydia Monks
2006
The Princess and the Wizard
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4050-5313-6
Notes
Lydia Monks
Room on the Broom and Other Songs
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4050-9101-5
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Rosie's Hat
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4050-0007-9
Notes
Anna Currey
Hippo Has a Hat
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4050-2192-0
Notes
Nick Sharratt
Play Time! A Selection of Plays
Role(s)
ISBN 0-3304-4595-2
2007
Follow the Swallow
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4052-1788-0
Notes
Martin Ursell
Tiddler
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-439-94377-2
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Tyrannosaurus Drip
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4050-9000-1
Notes
David Roberts
2008
One Mole Digging a Hole
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-2307-0647-7
Notes
Nick Sharratt
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4071-0882-7
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2009
Toddle Waddle
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-230-70648-4
Notes
Nick Sharratt
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-2307-0650-7
Notes
Lydia Monks
Tabby McTat
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4071-0924-4
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-230-01793-1
Notes
David Roberts
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4052-2233-4
2010
Cave Baby
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-3305-2276-2
Notes
Emily Gravett
Zog
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4071-1556-6
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2011
Freddie and the Fairy
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-3305-1118-6
Notes
Karen George
The Rhyming Rabbit
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-2307-4103-4
Notes
Lydia Monks
The Highway Rat
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4071-2437-7
Notes
Axel Scheffler
The Gruffalo's Child and Other Songs
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-2307-6173-5
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Jack and the Flumflum Tree
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-230-71023-8
Notes
David Roberts
2012
Goat Goes to Playgroup
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1447254843
Notes
Nick Sharratt
The Singing Mermaid
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0230-75044-9
Notes
Lydia Monks
Superworm
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4071-3204-4
Notes
Axel Scheffler
The Paper Dolls
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-2307-4108-9
Notes
Rebecca Cobb
The Snake Who Came to Stay
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-7811-2008-8
Notes
Hannah Shaw
Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-7811-2005-7
Notes
Hannah Shaw
2013
Sugarlump and the Unicorn
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4472-4019-8
Notes
Lydia Monks
The Further Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy-cat
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-1413-3288-8
Notes
Charlotte Voake
2014
The Flying Bath
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0-2307-4260-4
Notes
David Roberts
The Scarecrows' Wedding
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4071-4441-2
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2015
What the Ladybird Heard Next
Role(s)
ISBN 9781447275954
Notes
Lydia Monks
2016
The Detective Dog
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-5098-0159-6
Notes
Sara Ogilvie
Princess Mirror-Belle and Prince Precious Paws
Role(s)
ISBN 9781447285649
Notes
Lydia Monks
2017
Zog and the Flying Doctors
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4071-7350-4
Notes
Axel Scheffler
The Everywhere Bear
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4472-8073-6
Notes
Rebecca Cobb
The Ugly Five
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-4071-7419-8
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2018
Animalphabet
Role(s)
ISBN 9780525554158
Notes
Sharon King-Chai
What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1509837335
Notes
Lydia Monks
The Cook and the King
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-5098-1377-3
Notes
David Roberts
2019
The Smeds and the Smoos
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1407188898
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2020
The Hospital Dog
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1509868315
Notes
Sara Ogilvie
2021
Cat's Cookbook (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-5290-3436-3
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Squirrel's Snowman (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1529034370
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2022
The Baddies
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0702303517
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Badger's Band (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1-5290-3439-4
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Mole's Spectacles (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1529034387
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2023
The Oak Tree
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0702324352
Notes
Victoria Sandøy
Dormouse Has a Cold (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1035006908
Notes
Axel Scheffler
2024
Frog's Day Out (Tales from Acorn Wood)
Role(s)
ISBN 978-1035006885
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Jonty Gentoo - The Adventures of a Penguin
Role(s)
ISBN 978-0702329432
Notes
Axel Scheffler
Year
Title
ISBN
Illustrator
Notes
1993
A Squash and a Squeeze
mw- body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw- .mw- .mw- .mw- } }ISBN 1-4050-0477-0
Axel Scheffler
1998
Books and Crooks (Play)
ISBN 978-0-7487-3656-0
1999
The Gruffalo
ISBN 0-333-71093-2
Axel Scheffler
2000
Monkey Puzzle
ISBN 0-333-72001-6
Axel Scheffler
Hide-and-Seek Pig (Tales from Acorn Wood)
ISBN 978-0-333-96625-9
Axel Scheffler
Postman Bear (Tales from Acorn Wood)
ISBN 978-0-333-96624-2
Axel Scheffler
Fox's Socks (Tales from Acorn Wood)
ISBN 978-0-333-96623-5
Axel Scheffler
Rabbit's Nap (Tales from Acorn Wood)
ISBN 978-1-4052-1788-0
Axel Scheffler
2002
Room on the Broom
ISBN 0-333-90338-2
Axel Scheffler
The Smartest Giant in Town
ISBN 0-333-96396-2
Axel Scheffler
Night Monkey, Day Monkey
ISBN 978-0-7497-4893-7
Lucy Richards
2003
The Snail and the Whale
ISBN 0-333-98224-X
Axel Scheffler
The Dinosaur's Diary
ISBN 0-141-31382-X
2004
One Ted Falls Out of Bed
ISBN 0-333-94782-7
Anna Currey
The Gruffalo's Child
ISBN 1-4050-2045-8
Axel Scheffler
The Giants and the Joneses
ISBN 0-8050-7805-3
Greg Swearingen
The Magic Paintbrush
ISBN 978-0-333-96443-9
Joel Stewart
The Wrong Kind of Bark
ISBN 1-4052-1062-1
Garry Parsons
Brick-a-Breck
ISBN 0-7136-6441-X
Philippe Dupasquier
Bombs and Blackberries
ISBN 0-7502-4125-X
Thomas Docherty
The Head in the Sand: A Roman Play
ISBN 0-7502-4127-6
Ross Collins
2005
Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose
ISBN 1-405-02190-X
Nick Sharratt
Charlie Cook's Favourite Book
ISBN 978-1-4050-3469-2
Axel Scheffler
The Gruffalo Song and Other Songs
ISBN 1-4050-2234-5
Axel Scheffler
The Quick Brown Fox Club
ISBN 1-4052-1268-3
Lucy Richards
Sharing a Shell
ISBN 978-1-4050-2048-0
Lydia Monks
Spinderella
ISBN 978-1-4052-8272-7
Sebastien Braun
Wriggle and Roar
ISBN 1-4050-2166-7
Nick Sharratt
Crazy Mayonnaisy Mum
ISBN 0-3304-1490-9
Nick Sharratt
Princess Mirror-Belle
ISBN 0-3304-1530-1
Lydia Monks
Princess Mirror-Belle and the Magic Shoes
ISBN 1-4050-4867-0
Lydia Monks
Princess Mirror-Belle and the Flying Horse
ISBN 0-3304-3795-X
Lydia Monks
2006
The Princess and the Wizard
ISBN 978-1-4050-5313-6
Lydia Monks
Room on the Broom and Other Songs
ISBN 978-1-4050-9101-5
Axel Scheffler
Rosie's Hat
ISBN 978-1-4050-0007-9
Anna Currey
Hippo Has a Hat
ISBN 978-1-4050-2192-0
Nick Sharratt
Play Time! A Selection of Plays
ISBN 0-3304-4595-2
2007
Follow the Swallow
ISBN 978-1-4052-1788-0
Martin Ursell
Tiddler
ISBN 978-0-439-94377-2
Axel Scheffler
Tyrannosaurus Drip
ISBN 978-1-4050-9000-1
David Roberts
2008
One Mole Digging a Hole
ISBN 978-0-2307-0647-7
Nick Sharratt
Stick Man
ISBN 978-1-4071-0882-7
Axel Scheffler
2009
Toddle Waddle
ISBN 978-0-230-70648-4
Nick Sharratt
What the Ladybird Heard
ISBN 978-0-2307-0650-7
Lydia Monks
Tabby McTat
ISBN 978-1-4071-0924-4
Axel Scheffler
The Troll
ISBN 978-0-230-01793-1
David Roberts
Running on the Cracks
ISBN 978-1-4052-2233-4
Donaldson's first novel for teenagers
2010
Cave Baby
ISBN 978-0-3305-2276-2
Emily Gravett
Zog
ISBN 978-1-4071-1556-6
Axel Scheffler
· External links
Preceded byAnthony Browne
Preceded byAnthony Browne
Cultural offices
Preceded byAnthony Browne
Cultural offices
Children's Laureate of the United Kingdom 2011–2013
Cultural offices
Succeeded byMalorie Blackman
Cultural offices
Preceded byAnthony Browne
Children's Laureate of the United Kingdom 2011–2013
Succeeded byMalorie Blackman

References

  1. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdd43l4qmddo
  2. Desert Island Discs
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00nsgg1
  3. MSN
    https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/celebrity/jk-rowling-knocked-off-top-of-british-best-sellers-list/ar-AA1xoa7n?ocid=winp2fptaskbarhover&cvid=0886a94a2d3545db8e02a645f547f1f3&ei=12
  4. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/julia-donaldson-interview-the-gruffalo-author-on-how-judi-dench-and-busking-helped-her-on-path-to-a6677376.html
  5. Encyclopædia Britannica – Britannica Kids
    https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Julia-Donaldson/605087
  6. "What is the Gruffalo author Julie Donaldson's net worth? Get the details"
    https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/20201223103327/julia-donaldson-childrens-author-net-wealth-details/
  7. Malcolm Donaldson, 2012
  8. "The Gruffalo"
    http://www.tallstories.org.uk/the-gruffalo
  9. Kirkus Reviews
    https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/julia-donaldson-4/wheres-my-mom-21/
  10. Oxford University Press
    https://global.oup.com/education/content/primary/series/oxford-reading-tree/songbirds-phonics
  11. BookTrust
    https://www.booktrust.org.uk/books/childrens-laureate/former-laureates/julia-donaldson
  12. www.bookbrunch.co.uk
    https://www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/article-detail/laureates-library-tour-will-highlight-dangers-of-cuts-to-service/
  13. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/dec/17/julia-donaldson-conquered-world-one-rhyme-at-a-time-childrens-literature-gruffalo
  14. BMJ
    https://doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmj.331.7510.s42
  15. HeraldScotland
    https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13181499.bye-bye-bearsden-gruffalo-writer-julia-donaldson-packs-up-and-heads-south/
  16. The Argus
    https://www.theargus.co.uk/magazine/celebratingsussex/14477584.the-gruffalo-author-julia-donaldson-moved-to-steyning-and-she-is-still-enjoying-a-honeymoon-period-in-the-smallest-town-she-has-ever-lived-in/
  17. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/28/family-mental-health1
  18. Dork
    https://readdork.com/news/lola-young-gruffalo-nepotism/
  19. ArtLink Central
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190327101309/http://www.artlinkcentral.org/insights/artofgivingbyaxelscheffler
  20. "Bookbug's Patron - Julia Donaldson"
    http://www.scottishbooktrust.com/bookbugs-patron-julia-donaldson
  21. Storybook Dads
    https://web.archive.org/web/20190203202338/https://www.storybookdads.org.uk/faqs/patrons
  22. The Savoy Theatre Monmouth
    http://www.monmouth-savoy.co.uk/about
  23. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46700743
  24. Swindon Advertiser
    https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/national/17325580.julia-donaldson-hails-recognition-for-writers-as-she-is-made-a-cbe/
  25. Royal Society of Literature
    https://rsliterature.org/fellows/julia-donaldson/,%20https://rsliterature.org/fellows/julia-donaldson/
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