Latest news with #TheGruffalo'sChild
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Husband of iconic children's book author leaves huge £1.3million fortune to family after his death
A will he prepared in 2020 instructed that his fortune should be handed to his family LEGEND'S LEGACY Husband of iconic children's book author leaves huge £1.3million fortune to family after his death Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE BELOVED husband of Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson left a £1.3m fortune to his family, it has emerged. Dr Malcolm Donaldson was a paediatric consultant and senior lecturer in child health at the University of Glasgow until his retirement. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 The husband of author Julia Donaldson left a £1.3million fortune to his family Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 3 Julia's bestselling children's books include The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child Credit: Getty The university later appointed him honorary senior research fellow at its School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing. He was married to Julia, whose children's books The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child have been global best-sellers, for 52 years. He passed away aged 75 in September last year, and probate documents revealed he left an estate valued at £1,322,528. A will he prepared in 2020 instructed his fortune should be handed to his family. Julia is the author of over 184 published works and a former Children's Laureate. The Gruffalo was first published in 1999 and has sold more than 13.5m copies. The couple lived in the Glasgow suburb of Bearsden from 1987 until moving to Surrey in 2014. As a highly respected academic, Dr Donaldson wrote or contributed to more than 180 publications, papers and books. But he was also an accomplished actor, singer and guitarist who accompanied his wife to perform her songs and stories at festivals, schools, libraries and bookshops around the world. His younger patients also gave him the affectionate nickname Dr Gruffalo. Brits urged to 'look in loft' as 5 popular 90s toys could make you serious money Tributes were paid to Donaldson after his death. Axel Scheffler, who illustrated the Gruffalo books, said: 'I have known Malcolm for 30 years and always admired his enthusiasm for our books, Julia's work and children's books in general. "All this, besides being a paediatric consultant and giving lectures all over the world. "His true passion was performing with Julia on stage, playing the guitar and acting – especially his legendary suave role of the Fox in The Gruffalo. "He will be deeply missed.' The British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes (BSPED) said: "His contributions will continue to resonate in the field of paediatric endocrinology and child health in the UK, Europe and beyond for many years to come. "His warmth, wisdom and gentle spirit will be deeply missed but forever remembered by all who knew him."
Time Out
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The Smeds and The Smoos
This review is from 2023. Kids' theatre company Tall Stories has been touring its stage version of 'The Gruffalo' for over 20 years now – it's almost the same age as Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's iconic picture book. Though the company has dipped its toes in other waters, there's no denying that it has found a niche: the other shows in its current repertoire are a version of 'Gruffalo' sequel 'The Gruffalo's Child' (returning to the West End this Christmas!), plus Donaldson and Scheffler's much-loved 'The Snail and the Whale' and 'The Smeds and the Smoos'. Directed by Toby Mitchell, latest show 'The Smeds…' has been knocking around in touring form for a year or so but finally makes its West End debut this summer. And it's very charming, in a predictable way. Tall Stories is ruthlessly efficient at the whole 'take a bedtime story that you can read in five minutes and stretch it to an hour' thing. An opening reference to '2001: A Space Odyssey' is a hoot, there are some nice songs from John Fiber and Andy Shaw, and Barney George's sets and Yvonne Stone's puppets do a decent job of channelling Scheffler's eccentric, cuddly vision of space, as feuding tribes of aliens – the red Smeds and the blue Smoos – set out on a galactic odyssey to find their youngsters Bill and Janet, who have eloped together. Though it can't really compete in visual pizazz with the BBC's recent animated version, it is pretty much a faultless exercise in modestly budgeted kids' stage adaptation. Personally, I can't help but wish Tall Stories demonstrated a bit more audacity: their take is very much What You Expect, and the Kubrick gag at the start is basically as off-piste as it gets. But it absolutely does the trick: kids who love the book will surely love the play, and if you were already considering taking your little ones to 'The Smeds and the Smoos', you absolutely should.
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Royal Mint releases new 50p coin to celebrate kids character
The new coin marks 15 years since Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's "enthusiastic" but "accident-prone" dragon first captured readers' imaginations. The design features Zog flying, complete with tiny wings and a determination to earn a golden star at Dragon School. This coin joins the Royal Mint's childhood characters collection, which also includes The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child. The Royal Mint have released a number of cons celebrating kids characters (Image: Royal Mint/PA Wire) Royal Mint 'thrilled' by new collectable 50p coin of children's character Zog 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 is fictional dragon beloved by parents and kids (Image: Royal Mint/PA Wire) Recommended Reading: Zog author Ms Donaldson said: 'I'm delighted that Zog is being celebrated on a UK 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 children's characters represented 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. Those wanting the coin for themselves can expect to pay anywhere upwards of £15.
South Wales Guardian
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Royal Mint releases new 50p coin to celebrate kids character
The new coin marks 15 years since Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's "enthusiastic" but "accident-prone" dragon first captured readers' imaginations. The design features Zog flying, complete with tiny wings and a determination to earn a golden star at Dragon School. This coin joins the Royal Mint's childhood characters collection, which also includes The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child. The Royal Mint have released a number of cons celebrating kids characters (Image: Royal Mint/PA Wire) 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 is fictional dragon beloved by parents and kids (Image: Royal Mint/PA Wire) Zog author Ms Donaldson said: 'I'm delighted that Zog is being celebrated on a UK 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 children's characters represented 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. Those wanting the coin for themselves can expect to pay anywhere upwards of £15.
Western Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Royal Mint releases new 50p coin to celebrate kids character
The new coin marks 15 years since Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's "enthusiastic" but "accident-prone" dragon first captured readers' imaginations. The design features Zog flying, complete with tiny wings and a determination to earn a golden star at Dragon School. This coin joins the Royal Mint's childhood characters collection, which also includes The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child. The Royal Mint have released a number of cons celebrating kids characters (Image: Royal Mint/PA Wire) Royal Mint 'thrilled' by new collectable 50p coin of children's character Zog 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 is fictional dragon beloved by parents and kids (Image: Royal Mint/PA Wire) Recommended Reading: Zog author Ms Donaldson said: 'I'm delighted that Zog is being celebrated on a UK 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 children's characters represented 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. Those wanting the coin for themselves can expect to pay anywhere upwards of £15.
