Latest news with #AxelScheffler
The Guardian
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Oh no! It's a Gruffalo!' Julia Donaldson's 15 best books – ranked!
Although Julia Donaldson is best known for her work with Axel Scheffler, her books made with other illustrators yield their own delights. Illustrated by Rebecca Cobb, 2012's The Paper Dolls has an irresistible sense of childlike wonder, following a string of cut-out dolls as they explore a house while trying to avoid scissors. Key line They were Ticky and Tacky and Jackie the Backie and Jim with two noses and Jo with the bow. The festive BBC adaptations of Donaldson's work are so beloved that it's easy to overlook how some stories work much better as films than others. Tabby McTat – in which a cat becomes separated from his busker friend – is one of the best. There's a real sense of melancholy to some of the sequences, before the happy ending – exactly what you want at Christmas. Key line The sun went down and the sky grew black. The stars came out, but he didn't come back. Tiddler is a small fish with a big imagination, always coming up with wild excuses for his behaviour. But is there any merit to them? This is Donaldson and Scheffler in pure entertainment mode, and – at least anecdotally – one of the stories that children respond best to. Key line 'Sorry I'm late, Miss. I set off really early but on the way to school I was captured by a squid.' Donaldson has written hundreds of books in her career, but none felt quite as timely as 2019's The Smeds and the Smoos. A Romeo and Juliet story about two aliens whose families hate each other, it's hard to see this as anything other than Donaldson's Brexit book. Scheffler's dedication – 'To all the children of Europe' – makes the link even more explicit. Typical line 'Never, never marry a Smed. My dearest child, are you off your head?' Nick Sharratt provides the illustrations for this sweetly simple book for very young readers. Not a great deal happens here – some animals have a dinner party and none of them behaves very well – but the whole thing is perfectly executed. Key line 'Don't just grab it,' says angry Rabbit. 'I'll lick the bowl,' says furry Mole. Donaldson is at her best when she leans into gothic fairytale darkness. Room on the Broom, where a kind witch and her animal hitchhikers fend off a dragon, is a perfect example of this. Completists might like to know that the book has also been adapted into a Chessington World of Adventures attraction that is about 5% too scary for its intended audience. Key line 'I am a dragon, as mean as can be, and I'm planning to have WITCH AND CHIPS for my tea!' Although she's best known for her picture books, Donaldson has also written a number of early years stories, designed to be the first thing that children read alone. Of these, Princess Mirror-Belle – about a girl's reflection that comes to life and causes havoc – is the most irresistible. Perfect for kids who are just about ready to finally outgrow The Gruffalo. Key line By this stage they had reached the escalator. Mirror-Belle hopped on to it. 'This is fun,' she said. 'Does it go down to the dungeons?' 'No,' said Ellen, riding down beside her. 'It goes down to the food department.' Donaldson and Scheffler's most recent book may cover old ground (like Stick Man, it's a journey story, only this time about a penguin who escapes from the zoo), but it's told with flair and has a pristine rhyming scheme. Plus, who doesn't like penguins? Key line His aunts said, 'Grow up!', 'Eat your fish!' and 'Talk sense!', but Jonty had noticed a gap in the fence. A bit of an outlier for a Donaldson/Scheffler book, in that it only intermittently rhymes. Nevertheless, the message of the story – that it's better to be kind than nicely dressed – is as perfectly pitched as anything Donaldson has ever written. Key line 'Cheer up!' said George, and he took off one of his shiny shoes. 'It was giving me blisters anyway.' Donaldson's first book was initially a lilting reggae song, performed by Floella Benjamin and Derek Griffiths on the children's TV show Play School in the 1970s. But the story – about a woman who learns to live within her means after filling her house with farm animals – works far better as a book, especially when paired with Scheffler's beautifully manic illustrations. Key line The little old lady cried 'Stop, I implore! It was titchy for three and it's teeny for four.' Lydia Monks provides vivid illustrations to this story, about a ladybird who uses her size and silence to thwart a farmyard robbery. Structurally, What the Ladybird Heard is a gem, first carefully laying out the robbers' plan (twice, with a blueprint) only to hilariously subvert it at the climax. Key line The duck on the pond said 'MOO MOO MOO!' 'Two more steps to go!' said Hugh. Donaldson was a songwriter before she became an author, and this is the secret to her success – you don't need to read many of her books to see that they often have choruses. The chorus of The Highway Rat (a story about a greedy rat who learns the error of his ways) is the best of the lot. It's a tricky metre for parents to enter into blind, but it absolutely rewards the effort. Key line 'I am the Rat of the highway – the highway – the highway – Yes, I am the Rat of the highway, and I fancy a duck for tea!' One of her very best. This is in part down to Donaldson's Lear-style rhyme scheme, but mainly because it is completely impossible to separate the text from the images. The story constantly draws the reader's attention to the illustrations ('This is a rock', 'This is the sea', 'This is the teacher') and, given the extremes of scale that Scheffler has to work with, it ranks as some of his best work. Quite frankly, the whole thing reads like a love letter between them. Key line These are the waves that arched and crashed, that foamed and frolicked and sprayed and splashed. An all-time classic. Donaldson's third book was based on the Chinese folktale The Fox that Borrows the Terror of a Tiger, and revolves around a blazingly clever structure. First, a mouse fends off advances from three hungry animals by describing an invented terrifying monster to them. Then, when he realises that the monster is real, he retraces his steps and outwits everyone in the process. But you knew that, of course, because you've read it a million times. Key line 'Oh help! Oh no! It's a Gruffalo!' Ostensibly a sequel to The Gruffalo's Child (which features a toy stick man), this is just about as epic as picture books get. A stick loses his family, and has to make an Odyssean journey home. There are real stakes here; the moment when Stick Man awaits what seems like certain death would be impressive in any story, but the fact that this is a book for toddlers makes it doubly so. Key line Stick Lady's lonely. The children are sad. It won't feel like Christmas without their Stick Dad.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Zog: Royal Mint's new coin to mark dragon's 15th anniversary
Zog is appearing on special 50p coins to mark the anniversary of the popular picture has been 15 years since since Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's enthusiastic but accident-prone dragon was first design features Zog flying, complete with tiny wings and a determination to earn a golden star at Dragon new coin is the latest addition to the Royal Mint's childhood characters collection - which also includes The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child. Julia Donaldson, the author behind Zog, said she was delighted with the news."When I wrote his story 15 years ago, I never imagined he would fly so far into people's imaginations. "Seeing our determined dragon on a 50p piece would definitely earn him a golden star from Madam Dragon," she explained. Illustrator Axel Scheffler added: "Drawing Zog with his big friendly face and clumsiness has always been such a joy. "To see my illustrations transformed onto a coin is an incredible honour."The Royal Mint - which produces and distributes coins in the UK - said they were "thrilled" to add Zog to an official 50p coin as part of the childhood characters character coins have included the Snowman, Paddington Bear, and Wallace and Gromit.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Zog 50p created by Royal Mint to mark 15th anniversary
A new coin is set to be released celebrating the children's much-loved character 50p will be unveiled by the Royal Mint, in Llantrisant, Rhondda Cynon Taf, marking 15 years since the dragon was picture book was written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel pair have previously had their work turned into a commemorative coin when a limited edition Gruffalo's Child 50p was released last year. Zog tells the story of an accident-prone dragon in school who learns to roar, fly and breathe were two books released in 2010 and 2012, with the first winning the Galaxy National Book coin will feature the orange Zog flying and joins The Royal Mint's childhood characters follows previous character coins including The Snowman and Paddington Royal Mint said these had become "treasured items" in said she "never imagined he would fly so far into people's imaginations".She added: "Seeing our determined dragon on a 50p piece would definitely earn him a golden star from Madam Dragon." Scheffler said it was an "incredible honour" to see his drawing "transformed onto a coin".Rebecca Morgan of The Royal Mint said it "continues our tradition of honouring beloved children's literature".The Zog 50p coin can be purchased on The Royal Mint website, starting at £15 with coloured versions available with a starting price of £25.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Popular children's character to feature on new 50p coins
A popular children's character is to be celebrated with a brand new coin. The Royal Mint will be launching a 50p coin featuring Zog, the beloved dragon from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's cherished children's book. The collectable coin commemorates 15 years since the accident-prone but enthusiastic dragon first soared into the hearts of readers. The coin design depicts Zog in flight, showcasing his tiny wings. Zog joins the Royal Mint's collection of childhood characters, which already includes The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: "We're thrilled to welcome Zog onto an official UK 50p and as part of our childhood characters coin series. 'As the dragon who tries his very best – despite his mishaps – Zog represents determination and perseverance, qualities we can all admire. 'This coin celebrates a character who has become a firm favourite in households across the UK and continues our tradition of honouring beloved children's literature on our nation's coinage.' Zog author Ms Donaldson said she is 'delighted' that Zog is being celebrated on a coin. 'When I wrote his story 15 years ago, I never imagined he would fly so far into people's imaginations. 'Seeing our determined dragon on a 50p piece would definitely earn him a golden star from Madam Dragon.' Illustrator Mr Scheffler said: 'Drawing Zog with his big friendly face and clumsiness has always been such a joy. To see my illustrations transformed onto a coin is an incredible honour.' Previous character coins from the Royal Mint also include the Snowman, Paddington Bear, and Wallace and Gromit. The Zog 50p coin was created in partnership with Magic Light Pictures, the company behind the animated adaptation of the story. Its release on Thursday coincides with Zog Day 2025. The coin is available to buy from the Royal Mint's website in a range of precious metal finishes, with colour versions also available in Zog's orange hue. The range starts at £15 with colour version 50ps priced from £25.
Scoop
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Hawke's Bay Roars For More: Extra Show Added For The Gruffalo At Toitoi This July
Blink and you'll miss it—tickets for The Gruffalo are vanishing faster than you can shout, 'Oh help! Oh no! It's a Gruffalo!' In response to overwhelming demand, Toitoi – Hawke's Bay Arts & Events Centre is thrilled to announce a fourth performance of the beloved show, set for 2pm on Friday, 4 July. The internationally acclaimed production, based on the award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, has captivated audiences around the world—from London's West End to Broadway. Now, in a rare treat for New Zealand families, this international hit will grace just two cities on its tour: Auckland and Hastings. That makes Toitoi the only regional venue to welcome this theatrical gem. 'We knew The Gruffalo would charm Hawke's Bay, but the demand has exceeded all expectations' says Glen Pickering, Toitoi's Presenter Services Manager. 'When international productions see how enthusiastically our community embraces world-class theatre, it puts Toitoi—and Hawke's Bay—firmly on the map. High-selling seasons like this one help us attract even more exceptional shows from around the globe to our region.' Presented by Tall Stories and CDP Theatre Producers, The Gruffalo brings the enchanting tale of a clever mouse and his imagined monster friend to life with sing-along songs, colourful characters, and vibrant staging. With all three existing performances down to the last few seats, the additional matinee is expected to sell quickly. Tickets for the new 2pm Friday performance are available now at and from the Hastings and Havelock North isites.
