Axel Scheffler Reflects on The Gruffalo’s Child

Twenty years after the publication of The Gruffalo’s Child, we asked the illustrator Axel Scheffler to look back and tell us about how he developed the characters from Julia Donaldson’s words and helped to create a classic children’s book.

Axel Scheffler is an award-winning illustrator of some of the world’s most popular children’s books including The Gruffalo’s Child, one of many books created with author Julia Donaldson. Born in Hamburg, Germany in 1957, Axel Scheffler enjoyed drawing and knew he wanted to do something that involved art from a young age.  

The first Julia Donaldson story Axel Scheffler illustrated was A Squash and a Squeeze, published in 1992. The Gruffalo came along seven years later, becoming a huge hit and publishing phenomenon. Since then, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have created lots of books together, including The Gruffalo’s Child. 

What was the first thing you drew for The Gruffalo’s Child?

“I always start by sketching the main character of a story – in this case the Gruffalo’s child.” 

How does the Gruffalo’s Child differ from the Gruffalo?

“Her horns are not fully grown, the fur is a little bit fluffier. The prickles on her back are pink … She doesn’t have a big jaw or terrible teeth and tusks yet.”

Did you tap into your childhood fears when you worked on The Gruffalo’s Child?

“Not really, my fear was ‘can I illustrate a book set in a dark and snowy wood?’ A special challenge was the shadow of the ‘Big Bad Mouse’ on the snow when the moon comes out.” 

Can you describe your reaction when you heard you would be working on a new story featuring the characters from The Gruffalo?

“It came very much as a surprise to me but I knew I had to do it.”

How has your working relationship with Julia Donaldson changed over the years? 

“It hasn’t really changed […] We still work completely separately – everything is co-ordinated by the editor, and I have no influence on her story at all. It always comes as a surprise what she has written about.”

It’s 20 years since The Gruffalo’s Child was published, how do you feel when you look back on your illustrations for the book, today?

“I’m still quite pleased with them – I think they are more atmospheric than the drawings of the first book.”

How does it feel to see The Gruffalo’s Child celebrated on a coin from 
The Royal Mint?

“I feel very honoured to have yet another coin celebrating these characters, including the Gruffalo’s offspring.”

Celebrating 20 Years of The Gruffalo’s Child 

The charming story written by Julia Donaldson and beautifully illustrated by Axel Scheffler continues to delight the young. To mark the 20th anniversary since the publication of The Gruffalo’s Child, we have struck a coin to celebrate this evergreen tale.

SHOP GRUFFALO’S CHILD