Julia Donaldson (Author), Axel Scheffler (Illustrator) - Children's Picture Book Biography 1993-2024

Book One: A Squash and a Squeeze - Published by Methuen Children's Books - 1993 (Hardback No Dust Jacket?) 

The very first picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, before they went on to become international stars for their beloved picture books. 

A goat on the bed and a cow on the table tapping out a jig? My readers collapsed in heaps and then had to have it read again. And again.'' Vivian French in the Guardian'Wise old man, won't you help me, please? My house is a squash and squeeze.''What can you do if your house is too small? The wise old man knows: bring in a flappy, scratchy, noisy crowd of farmyard animals. When you push them all out again, you'll be amazed at how big your house feels!

Book Two: The Gruffalo - Published by Macmillan Children's Books - 23 March 1999 (Hardback (1500 First Editions/First Printing - No Dust Jacket ?)

A mouse walks through a wood and encounters three predators—first a fox, then an owl, and finally a snake. Each of these animals invites the mouse into their home for a meal, the implication being that they intend to eat the mouse. The mouse declines each offer, telling the predators that it plans to dine with a "gruffalo". The mouse then describes the gruffalo's frightening features, such as "terrible tusks, terrible claws, and terrible teeth in his terrible jaws".  The mouse tells each predator that the predator is the gruffalo's favourite food.

Book Three: Monkey Puzzle - Published by Alison Green Books - 24 March 2000 (Hardback) 

"I've lost my mum!"
Where is Monkey's mummy? It's not too much fun being lost in the jungle, and little monkey wants his mum. Kindly butterfly is keen to help, but they don't seem to be having much luck and keep finding the wrong animals! But eventually, they find . . . Dad! It's just as well that he knows exactly where mum is, and she's waiting with a well-deserved cuddle.

Book Four: Room on the Broom - Published by Macmillan Children's Books - 27 August 2001 (Hardback)

The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. They are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, and each animal asks for a ride on the broom. They climb on, one after the next, until the broom is so heavy that it snaps in two! What will happen next as they tumble into a bog and meet a greedy dragon?

Book Five: The Smartest Giant in Town - Published by Published by Macmillan Children's Books - 1 January 2002 (DJ Hardback)

George didn't like being the scruffiest giant in town, so when he sees a new shop selling giant-size clothes he decides it's time to update his image. With smart trousers, a smart shirt, stripy tie and shiny shoes, George is a new giant. But on his way home, he meets various animals who desperately need his help. . . and his clothes!


Book Six: The Snail and the Whale - Published by 
Macmillan Children's Books - 5 September 2003 (DJ Hardback)

When a tiny snail meets a humpback whale, the two travel together to far-off lands.  It's a dream come true for the snail, who has never left home before.  But when the whale swims too close to shore, will the snail be able to save her new friend?

From the creators of Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo comes this touching tale of adventure and friendship.  With vibrant illustrations and rhymes that are both playful and lyrical, here is a story that shows us that even the smallest creatures can help others in a big way.



Book Seven: The Gruffalo's Child - Published by 
Macmillan Children's Books - 3 September 2004 - (DJ Hardback) 

One night, the Gruffalo’s child wanders into the woods to search for the Big Bad Mouse. But instead, she comes upon a small mouse in the woods . . . and decides to eat him! But wait, what is that? A shadow of a very large, scary creature falls on the ground. Could it be the Big Bad Mouse after all?



Book Eight: Charlie Cooks Favourite Book - 
Published by Macmillan Children's Books - 2005 (DJ Hardback) 

Charlie Cook is reading a book about a pirate captain, who is reading a book about Goldilocks, who is reading about a knight, who is reading about a frog . . . From kings and queens to aliens and ghosts, there's something for everyone in Charlie's amazing book!



Book Nine: Tiddler - Published by 
Alison Green Books -  2007 (DJ Hardback) 

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 and rescued me." "Oh, no, he didn't." "OH, YES, HE DID." Tiddler is a little fish with a BIG imagination! What ever will he come up with next?

Book Ten: Stick Man - Published by Alison Green Books -  2008 (DJ Hardback) 

'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 even ends up on a fire! 

Will he ever get back to the family tree in time for Christmas? Perhaps Santa can help...


Book Eleven: Tabby McTat - Published by Alison Green Books -  2009 (DJ Hardback) 

"Me, you and the old guitar.

How perfectly, perfectly happy we are.

MEEE-EW and the old guitar.

How PURRRR-fectly happy we are!"

Tabby McTat is purr-fectly happy, singing along all day with Fred the busker. But when Fred gives chase to a thief, the two are separated. Will they ever find each other again?


Book Twelve: ZOG - Published by 
Alison Green Books -  20010 (DJ Hardback) 

Zog is the keenest dragon in school - and the clumsiest. Luckily, a mysterious little girl always comes by to patch up his bumps and bruises. But will she be able to help Zog with his toughest test yet: capturing a princess? And will Zog ever manage to win a gold star?


Book Thirteen: The Highway Rat - Published by Alison Green Books -  20011 (DJ Hardback) 

Life is not safe for the other animals, as the villainous Highway Rat gallops along the highway, stealing their food. Clover from a rabbit; nuts from a squirrel - he even steals his own horse's hay. Will he finally meet his comeuppance, in the form of a cunning duck?


Book Fourteen: Superworm - Published by Alison Green Books -  20012 (DJ Hardback) 

Never fear, Superworm's here! He can fish Spider out of a well, and rescue Toad from a busy road. But who will come to Superworm's rescue, when he's captured by a wicked Wizard Lizard? Luckily, all of Superworm's insect friends have a cunning plan...


Book Fifteen: The Scarecrow's Wedding - Published by 
Alison Green Books -  20014 (Poster DJ Hardback) 

The Scarecrow's Wedding is a fabulous love story, with drama, humour, originality - and a happy ending! Two scarecrows, Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, are planning the perfect wedding. But wicked scarecrow, Reginald Rake, has other ideas and almost ruins their special day. Harry must become a hero before he and Betty can have the wedding of their dreams.


Book Sixteen: Zog and the Flying Doctors - Published 
by Alison Green Books -  20016 (DJ Hardback
 

Meet the Flying Doctors: Princess Pearl, Sir Gadabout and, of course, their trusty 'air ambulance', Zog the dragon, as they fly around the country, tending to a sunburnt mermaid, a distressed unicorn, and even a sneezy lion. Zog and the Flying Doctors is a fabulously original sequel to the bestselling ZOG.


Book Seventeen: Ugly Five - 
Published by Alison Green Books -  20017 (DJ Hardback 
Who's that singing on the savannah? It's the top-five ugly animals in Africa! The wildebeest, warthog, vulture, hyena and marabou stork swagger proudly across the savannah, rejoicing in their ugliness - and delighting their babies, who think they're perfect just the way they are. Inspired by the real-life Ugly Five safari animals, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's brand-new picture book is a jubilant celebration of animals who are often rather unloved. The funny, heart-warming rhyme is a joy to read aloud, while bold, comical illustrations bring the savannah spectacularly to life.


Book Eighteen: The Smeds and the Smoos - Published by 
Alison Green Books -  September 20019 (DJ Hardback 
Soar into space with this glorious love story of alien folk! The Smeds (who are red) never mix with the Smoos (who are blue). So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love, their families strongly disapprove. But peace is restored and love conquers all in this happiest of love stories. There's even a gorgeous purple baby to celebrate!
With fabulous rhymes and breathtaking illustrations, this book is literally out of this world!


Book Nineteen: The Baddies - Published by 
Published by Alison Green Books -  20022 (DJ Hardback)
The Baddies are the meanest, nastiest ghost, witch and troll in the land. They just adore being bad, and fight over who is the worst. When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can’t wait to scare her out of her wits. But the little girl quickly shows them that you don’t have to be big to be brave, and baddies don’t always win.



Book Twenty: Jonty Gentoo - Published by Alison Green Books -  12 September 20024 (DJ Hardback)

Join a plucky little penguin on the journey of a lifetime, in this fabulous new picture book from superstar author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Jonty the little gentoo penguin longs to find his true home at the South Pole. 

One night, he sneaks out of the zoo and sets off on an amazing adventure, all the way to Antarctica (with an accidental detour to the North Pole!)

Children will be cheering Jonty on as he finally finds his way, in this captivating story of bravery, friendship, and finding your place in the world.

 

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