Julia Donaldson
Website:
www.juliadonaldson.co.ukBRAW network:
yesLL funded:
yesAgent:
Caroline SheldonPublicist:
Alison GreenBiography:
I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him). Mary and I were always creating imaginary characters and mimicking real ones, and I used to write shows and choreograph ballets for us. A wind-up gramophone wafted out Chopin waltzes.
I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I'm now married. Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta. The busking led to a career in singing and song writing, mainly for children's television. I became an expert at writing to order on such subjects as guinea pigs, window cleaning and horrible smells. 'We want a song about throwing crumpled-up wrapping paper into the bin' was a typical request from the BBC.
I am the Children's Laureate 2011-2013.One of my television songs, A Squash and a Squeeze, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I'd written for a school reading group, and since then I've had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it's a tremendous way to improve their reading.
My real breakthrough was The Gruffalo, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he's in London and I'm in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.
I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books. Funnily enough, I find it harder to write not in verse, though I feel I am now getting the hang of it!
My novel The Giants and the Joneses is going to be made into a film by the same team who made the Harry Potter movies, and I have written three books of stories about the anarchic Princess Mirror-Belle who appears from the mirror and disrupts the life of an otherwise ordinary eight-year-old.
When I'm not writing I am often performing, at book festivals and in theatres. I really enjoy getting the children in the audience to help me act out the stories and sing the songs. When Malcolm can take time off from the hospital he and his guitar come too. And it feels as if we've come full circle - back to busking.
Photograph copyright Carmel King.
About writer's work:
Probably because of my background as a songwriter, many of my books for younger children (e.g. The Gruffalo) are in verse, and there are further poems in a collection called Crazy Mayonnaisy Mum. I also write novels, such as The Giants and the Joneses and the three Princess Mirror-Belle books about a naughty reflection who comes out of the mirror. I have written many plays (some of which are collected in a volume called Play Time) and am currently working on a novel for teenagers.
I am also very interested in helping children learn to read, and have written a phonic reading scheme called Songbirds, consisting of 48 books, as part of the popular Oxford Reading Tree.
To find out more about these, please visit my website www.juliadonaldson.co.uk/educational
About writer's events and projects:
As well as doing a number of large-scale theatrical events (based on my books and songs) in theatres and at book festivals, I am able to do a limited number of school and library visits each year, preferably within easy reach of Glasgow, though occasionally I am lured further afield.
In schools and libraries I usually do two hour-long sessions, one before lunch and one after. Each session is usually with a single P3 or P4 class, though I am also happy to do a session with older primary-school children, based on my novels and plays. The sessions are quite interactive, with the children acting out two or more of my books, sometimes making up a song, and asking questions.
•Age range: P3 or P4/S1 - S2 •Numbers: 30 per session (absolute maximum 50) •Where? Glasgow area or 30 mile radius •2 sessions per day, usually one in the morning and one in the afternoon •Ideal room is a drama room or similar, where children can move around •For the younger age groups, I bring guitar and some props, and each session consists of a song (sometimes the children help make this up) and one or two dramatisations of my stories in which the children act some of the roles. There is usually also time for some questions, answers and discussion. •I arrive at least half an hour in advance, as I need time to set up. •Requirements: 3 or 4 tables and maybe a flip chart stand •I am happy to stay on to sign books if required. •If the school/library wishes to organise books for the children to buy I can supply a list of my titles. I don’t usually sell books myself. •I like to arrange the sessions on the phone, and then for the organisation to write me a letter (rather than an email) confirming all the details, including a map of how to get there.
If you wish to contact Julia Donaldson please go through her publisher, Macmillan Children's Books
Language:
EnglishAge groups:
5-8, 9-12, TeensBooks written
A little old lady thinks her house is a squash and a squeeze but, with the advice of a wise old man and the help of a few farmyard animals, she soon discovers that it's not as small as she thought. ...
'A Squash and a Squeeze' is a rhyming fable that tells of a little old lady who thinks her home is too small. A wise man tells her to take in a succession of animals so that it really is a squash in ...
A short play set in World War II for class reading as well as performance World War Two has been declared and the Chiver's children are sent to the safety of the countryside. They are delighted to be ...
Stephen Rice loves breakfast cereal. When he enters a design-a-cereal competition not only does his entry, Brick-a-Breck, win, but he becomes a TV celebrity. However, Stephen's brilliant invention ...
Illustrated by Emily Gravett
A hairy mammoth takes a cheeky little baby on a thrilling ride through a moonlit landscape populated by a sabre-toothed tiger, a leaping hare, a laughing hyena and ...
Charlie Cook's favourite book has many tales to tell! Lose yourself in the wonderful adventures that unfold as Charlie discovers the hidden worlds in everyone's favourite book. From pirates to aliens ...
Charlie Cook's favourite book has many tales to tell! Lose yourself in the wonderful adventures that unfold as Charlie discovers the hidden worlds in everyone's favourite book. From pirates to aliens ...
A deliciously funny picture book, by the author of THE GRUFFALO. "Chocolate mousse!" says greedy Goose. "Don't just grab it," says angry Rabbit. Good manners aren't on the menu at ...
Good manners aren't on the menu at this meal. Duck won't eat his carrots. Moth's eating the cloth, and Sheep would rather sleep than wash the dishes. Thank goodness some of the animals know how ...
Conjuror Cow is putting on a magic show for her friends and wants to make a white rabbit appear. But try as she might, all manner of other objects appear instead - flowers, a piglet and even socks ...
Packed with all sorts of poems and rhymes including a sequence of number rhymes, action rhymes, noisy rhymes and more thoughtful pieces too. A real joy. Noisy Garden; If tigerlilies and dandelions ...
When a boy finds a young pigeon, half starved, in a derelict warehouse in Glasgow, he names the pigeon Percy and takes him home. He looks after him and even teaches him to fly. Da says that Percy ...
Apollo the Swallow and Chack the Blackbird meet in the garden as fledglings when they are both learning to fly. Apollo explains that he is practising flying to Africa - but Chack doesn't believe him. ...
When Apollo the swallow flies to Africa, Chack the blackbird wants to send him a message. But Africa is far away. Will the message reach him?
Illustrated by Nick Sharratt
There’s a commotion in the classroom as Goat and the other animals spend the day at playgroup. The musical instruments and the dressing up box are lots of fun, ...
The twins bring a frog to visit Gran... havoc ensues! A stage 3 Phonics book to help young children with new words and language.
You can read the much-loved story (included complete and unabridged) and then open the pop-up stage to act out the adventures of the little brown mouse, or even create a brand new story of your own. ...
Tales from Acorn Wood Deep in the heart of Acorn Wood, Pig and Hen are playing hide-and-seek. Lift the flaps and help Pig find out where Hen is hiding! Other books in the Acorn Wood series: Fox's ...
There's chaos in the clothes shop when the animals go on a glorious shopping spree. Zebra's zip is stuck and Toad's tracksuit is far too big, but Flamingo finds a stylish bag, and Caterpillar's shoes ...
Illustrated by David Roberts
Jack’s Granny is sick with a bad case of the moozles! And the only cure is the fruit of the fantastic flumflum tree which grows on the faraway Isle of ...
Miss! Miss! Bill is in a mess!
What a hard day for a busy school teacher!
A stage 2 Phonics book to help young children with new words and language
Can butterfly help little monkey find his mum? Yes, finally, but only after a lot of trial and error as butterfly misunderstands monkey's descriptions and leads him to all sorts of unsuitable ...
Can butterfly help little monkey find his mum? Yes, finally, but only after a lot of trial and error as butterfly misunderstands monkey's descriptions and leads him to all sorts of unsuitable ...
Poor little Monkey has lost his mum. Kindly Butterfly tries to help, but somehow she keeps getting it wrong! Will Monkey ever find his mum? Children will have fun assembling six jigsaw scenes from ...
Learn about colours, numbers, opposites and animals with this fabulous set of four bold, bright board books, now available in a miniature slipcase.
Ilustrated by Axel Scheffler
Join the fun and wriggle like a snake, scamper like a fox and growl like the Gruffalo in this bold, bright and chunky board book - one of four board books in the ...
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Learn all about Numbers with the Gruffalo in this bold, bright and chunky board book.
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Learn all about opposites with the Gruffalo in this bold, bright and chunky board book
Trying to play together allows Day Monkey and Night Monkey to each see how the other views the world.
Night Monkey and Day Monkey's worlds are as different as night and day! When they each spend time in each other's opposite worlds, they learn a lot. And they also learn to be the best of friends.
One mole digging a hole ...Can you see who else is helping out in the garden? Julia Donaldson's whimsical rhymes teamed with Nick Sharratt's hilarious and distinctive illustrations make this the ...
All the animals are busy lending a hand in the garden in this lively numbers book! The parrots are pulling up carrots, the bears are picking pears and a swarm of bees are pruning the trees with ...
All the animals are busy lending a hand in the garden in this lively numbers book! The parrots are pulling up carrots, the bears are picking pears and a swarm of bees are pruning the trees with ...
A bedtime counting adventure! When Ted falls out of bed, three tearaway mice whisk him off on a breathtaking adventure. They zoom around in fast cars, go on a balloon ride and climb a building-block ...
Songbirds Phonics have been carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and are used in schools to teach phonics and inspire a love of reading.
Songbirds Phonics have been carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and are used in schools to teach phonics and inspire a love of reading.
Songbirds Phonics have been carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and are used in schools to teach phonics and inspire a love of reading.
Songbirds Phonics have been carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and are used in schools to teach phonics and inspire a love of reading.
Songbirds Phonics have been carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and are used in schools to teach phonics and inspire a love of reading.
Songbirds Phonics have been carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and are used in schools to teach phonics and inspire a love of reading.
Songbirds Phonics have been carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and are used in schools to teach phonics and inspire a love of reading.
Songbirds Phonics have been carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and are used in schools to teach phonics and inspire a love of reading.
Songbirds Phonics have been carefully created by Julia to support children who are learning to read and are used in schools to teach phonics and inspire a love of reading.
From the best-selling and much-loved author of "The Gruffalo" and other
classic picture books, this title contains eleven fun-to-act short
plays for primary-aged children (Key Stage 1 and ...
Tales from Acorn Wood Deep in the heart of Acorn Wood, Bear is writing letters to his friends. Lift the flaps and join Frog, Squirrel and Mole for Bear's special surprise! Other books in the Acorn ...
Lovely, funny, young magical princess stories by a hugely successful writer. Ellen gets a big shock when her double appears out of the bathroom mirror. Only Mirror-Belle is a double with a ...
Princess Mirror-Belle is back! Once again, magically mischievous Mirror-Belle comes popping out of mirrors to sweep Ellen into five hilarious escapades. Whether she's telling tall stories about her ...
Ellen gets a big shock when her double appears out of the bathroom mirror. Only Mirror-Belle is a double with a difference! She is a princess, and a very mischievous one at that. This is a second ...
Funny verse combines with hilariously detailed pictures to make for magical mayhem. Accompanying this book is a CD read by Josie Lawrence, complete with spooky sound effects and catchy music.
Funny verse combines with hilariously detailed pictures to make for magical mayhem. Accompanying this book is a CD read by Josie Lawrence, complete with spooky sound effects and catchy music.
This is a great value activity book packed with fantastic games and activities featuring characters and scenes from the bestselling "Room on the Broom". It includes puzzles, colouring-in, ...
As well as being the UK's most successful picture book author, Julia Donaldson is a gifted songwriter for children. This volume includes nine of her best-loved songs. The songs will be familiar to ...
As well as being the UK's most successful picture book author, Julia Donaldson is a gifted songwriter for children. This volume contains nine of her best-loved songs, including "Room on the Broom", ...
One little girl, one smart hat, a sudden gust of wind...and we're off on a whole hatful of adventures! Because this isn't just any old hat. It can also be a toy for a dog, a hiding-place for a mouse, ...
One little girl, one smart hat, a sudden gust of wind, and we're off on a whole hatful of adventures. Because this isn't just any old hat. It can also be a toy for a dog, a hiding-place for a mouse, ...
Because this isn't just any old hat. It can also be a toy for a dog, a hiding-place for a mouse, a frisbee for some children and a nest for some birds. Surely poor Rosie will never find her hat ...
14-year-old Leo runs away from her aunt and uncle's home, where she has been living since the sudden death of her musician parents. Leo is driven away by the disturbing behaviour of her uncle. But ...
With glitter on every page, this book has real sparkle! The tiny hermit crab loves his new shell. He doesn't want to share it - not with a blobby purple anemone and a tickly bristleworm. But life in ...
The tiny hermit crab loves his new shell. He doesn't want to share it - not with a blobby purple anenone and a tickly bristleworm. But life in the rock pool proves tougher than Crab thinks, and soon ...
Spinderella the spider longs to win at football but she can't count the goals - she needs the help of the Hairy Godmother . . . A funny counting story from a very popular author, suitable for ages ...
Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three. But it's dangerous being a Stick Man. A dog wants to play with him, a swan builds her nest with him. ...
Stick Man lives in the family tree with his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three. But it's dangerous being a Stick Man. A dog wants to play with him, a swan builds her nest with him. He ...
Stick Man lives in the family tree With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three." But it's dangerous being a Stick Man. A dog wants to play with him, a swan builds her nest with him. He ...
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Tabby McTat was a busker's cat With a miaow that was loud and strong. The two of them sang of this and that, And people threw coins in the old checked ...
From the award-winning creators of 'The Gruffalo', this book contains three of the 'Tales from Acorn Wood' stories. 'Postman Bear', 'Hide-and-Seek Pig' and 'Rabbit's Nap'. Containing flaps on every ...
Illustrated by Exel Scheffler
This activity book includes over 40 reusable stickers and is packed with colouring-in, games, puzzles and much more. Featuring all your favourite characters from ...
illustrated by Axel Scheffler
An enlarged paperback edition of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's successful lift-the-flap book, first published in board book format. Rabbit is trying to get ...
Tara has a party but Martha won't pass the parcel...
A stage 6 phonics book to help young children with new words and language.
Cinderella's slipper is lost in the school play.
A stage 5 Phonics book to help young children with new words and language.
Surviving and finding a safe place to lay her eggs is difficult for Hypsilophodon with dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus Rex around. When she falls into a mysterious pool and finds herself on a modern ...
Jumbeelia, a girl giant, loves the stories of the iggly plop who climbed up the bimblestonk and was chased back down again by a giant. Growing her own bimblestonk, she climbs down it and finds a ...
Follow the mouse into the deep dark wood and discover what happens when the quick-thinking mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake and a hungry gruffalo . . .
This is a rhyming story of a mouse and a monster. Little mouse goes for a walk in a dangerous forest. To scare off his enemies he invents tales of a fantastical creature called the Gruffalo. So ...
Follow the mouse into the deep dark wood and discover what happens when the quick-thinking mouse comes face to face with an owl, a snake and a hungry gruffalo . . .
Join The Gruffalo, Mouse and all your favourite characters from the deep dark wood in this amazing magnetic book! It contains over 60 Gruffalo magnets, a special mini edition of the bestselling ...
Learn how to host your very own Gruffalo Party with this brand new sticker activity book, packed with Gruffalo-themed party games, recipes and make-and-do activities, including invitations and thank ...
The Gruffalo returns with his very own song to introduce a truly monster music session! As well as being the UK's most successful picture book author, Julia Donaldson is a gifted songwriter for ...
Illusrated by Axel Scheffler
Stomp, slither and scamper your way through the deep dark wood with this amazing play-along version of The Gruffalo
One dark night the Gruffalo's child disobeys her father's warnings and ventures out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist ...does he?
One dark night the Gruffalo's child disobeys her father's warnings and ventures out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist... does he?
One dark night the Gruffalo's child disobeys her father's warnings and ventures out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist ...does he? Beautifully produced, with a ...
One dark night the Gruffalo's Child disobeys her father's warnings and ventures out into the snow. After all, the Big Bad Mouse doesn't really exist ...does he? Children will have hours of fun ...
Arthur Godbold discovers a bronze head of the Roman Emperor Claudius.
As he tries to figure out how the head ended up in a Suffolk river, the
dramatic story of the Roman invasion of Britain unfolds ...
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
'Give me your buns and your biscuits! Give me your chocolate éclairs! For I am the Rat of the highway, and the Rat Thief never shares!' Life is not safe for the ...
Guinea pigs, snakes, rabbits, tigers, comedy and action-aplenty all feature in these two delightful and touching stories.
As Shen plays and draws pictures in the sand, a mysterious man gives her a magic paintbrush. She paints, fish, pots and ladders and watches them come to life for the poor people in her village. But ...
"The princess may try seven times to escape - by changing her colour and changing her shape." But each time Princess Eliza changes - into a blue fish, a yellow chick, a red fox or a black cat - the ...
Ellen's life is turned upside down by the hilarious Mirror-Belle, a mischievous princess who claims to be from somewhere mysterious and faraway, and who appears out of mirrors to take Ellen on ...
Frisk the fox cub loves exploring! When he and his family move house, he finds lots of exciting things to discover in town. Then he follows Jenny to school one day, and what he learns there comes in ...
Illustrated by Linda Monks
Poor old Rhyming Rabbit is feeling lonely and left out. None of his fellow rabbits appreciate his carefully thought-out poems. And as for the other woodland animals? ...
Three friends, sharing a shell, Down by the sparkling sea. Especially created for World Book Day, this delightful song is based on the hugely popular "Sharing a Shell" (978 1-4050-2048-0). ...
George was very happy being the scruffiest giant in town. But one day, when he sees a shop stocking giant-size clothes, he decides it's time to update his image. With smart clothes, George is a new ...
George was very happy being the scruffiest giant in town. But one day, when he sees a shop stocking giant-size clothes, he decides it's time to update his image. With smart clothes, George is a new ...
This great-value activity book is packed with games and puzzles based on the bestselling picture book. It includes colouring-in, join-the-dots, word puzzles and more. There's even a sticker scene and ...
One tiny snail longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of a whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and the little snail feels ...
One tiny snail longs to see the world and hitches a lift on the tail of a whale. Together they go on an amazing journey, past icebergs and volcanoes, sharks and penguins, and the little snail feels ...
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
The complete classic story, plus six 12-piece jigsaws. "Stick Man lives in the family tree With his Stick Lady Love and their stick children three." But it's ...
This play deals with the trial of the Big Bad Wolf from "Little Red Riding Hood". Will he be found guilty or innocent? Part of the "Pelican Big Book" series, this volume has been specifically written ...
Whoever heard of a vegetarian T Rex? This little dinosaur is in the wrong nest! This great-value activity book is packed with games and puzzles based on the bestselling picture book, including ...
When a timid little duckbill dinosaur hatches out in a T rex nest he feels decidedly out of place. Poor little Drip: all he wants is a quiet life munching on waterweed ...But his grisly big sisters ...
Especially created for World Book Day 2012, this fun farmyard song is based on the hugely popular WHAT THE LADYBIRD HEARD (978-0-230-70650-7). With MOOing and HISSing and BAAing and CLUCKing, the ...
Finlay's a real dreamer, and he's always getting things wrong. But when he brings his puppy into class, it looks like he might have done the right thing after all!
This little fish has a very big imagination! Every day, Tiddler is late for school, and every day he has another tall take for his teacher. But did he really ride a seahorse? Did he really meet a ...
The smallest fish can tell the tallest tales ... "Sorry I'm late, Miss. I set off really early but on the way to school I was captured by a squid. I wriggled and I struggled till a turtle came ...
Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
This Early Rader edition contains the complete classic story and pictures, but in a pocket-book format, and with a clearer typeface and layout to support children ...
A wobbly toddler takes a walk and is soon joined by a joyful troop of human and animal friends. They wander happily along with a clip clop, hurry scurry, flip flop, toddle waddle, but where will ...
The Troll longs for a goat - but has to make do with fish for supper instead. Meanwhile, Hank Chief and his pirate crew are digging for treasure - but it seems they've sailed to the wrong ...
Everyone knows that tyrannosauruses are big and scary, so when a placid duckbill dinosaur's egg ends up in the wrong nest confusion is sure to ensue! When the baby dinosaur hatches out, he's so ...
Everyone knows that tyrannosauruses are big and scary, so when a placid duckbill dinosaur's egg ends up in the wrong nest confusion is sure to ensue. When the baby dinosaur hatches out, he's so ...
With all the MOOing and HISSing, QUACKing and NEIGHing, and BAAAing and CLUCKing, the farmyard is full of noise. But when Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len hatch a plot to steal the fine prize cow, it's the ...
Illustrated by Lydia Monks
Two crafty robbers hatch a cunning plan to steal the farmer’s fine prize cow. But the quietest, tiniest creature in the farm has a plan of her own and things are ...
Worm is fed up with earth for lunch and wants something more exciting. He tries rabbit's lunch, deer's lunch and beetle's lunch - and almost becomes lunch himself when a hungry bird appears!
A wonderful rhyme book full of action and noise - guaranteed to make kids love poetry! Whenever I'm tired of being me I swing around like a chimpanzee. Are you tired of being you? Here's a whole ...
Illustrated by Axel Scheffher
Zog is the keenest dragon in school. He's also the most accident-prone. Luckily, a mysterious little girl always comes by and patches up his bumps and bruises. But ...
