Gruffalo Granny hailed as 'children's book of the year' as it flies off the shelves following release this week

See more This is Money on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Updated: 12:00 EDT, 11 September 2026 Gruffalo Granny has been hailed as ‘children’s book of the year’ as it flies off the shelves following its release this week.Waterstones said the third instalment of the series – written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler – racked up more sales on day one than the pair’s last book Jonty Gentoo did in its first week.And rival High Street chain The Works said it has ordered in extra stock to keep up with demand.The release of Gruffalo Granny on Thursday came more than 20 years after the last Gruffalo book – The Gruffalo’s Child – was published in 2004.That followed the release of the original story The Gruffalo in 1999. Gruffalo Granny is the third instalment of the series following the release of the original story The Gruffalo in 1999Lucy Jakes, children’s buyer at Waterstones, said: ‘The response to Gruffalo Granny from customers and booksellers has been nothing short of sensational.‘As our biggest pre-order of the year so far, and the most hotly anticipated children's book we've seen in years, it's been a joy to see the pre-publication hype already translate into phenomenal sales.‘It's fair to predict it will be the biggest children's book of the year.’She added: ‘There is a real atmosphere of excitement in our bookshops about the book, with booksellers having created eye-catching and creative displays.‘It feels the only way is up for Gruffalo Granny.’A spokesman at The Works said: ‘Gruffalo Granny has got off to a flying start at The Works, with shoppers across the country snapping up the latest addition to the much-loved series.‘Demand has been so strong that further stock is already on the way, helping even more families get their hands on a copy.‘It seems there's always room for one more Gruffalo story on the bookshelf, with the latest adventure already proving a hit with families.’DIY INVESTING PLATFORMSAJ BellAJ BellEasy investing and ready-made portfoliosHargreaves LansdownHargreaves LansdownFree fund dealing and investment ideasinteractive investorinteractive investorFlat-fee investing from £4.99 per monthFreetradeFreetradeInvesting Isa now free on basic planTrading 212Trading 212Free share dealing and no account feeAffiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.Compare the best investing account for you