Looking back on 25 years of The Gruffalo

If you’re a parent or grandparent, it’s likely you’ll recognise the opening line of the well-loved children’s book The Gruffalo, and now the fantasy creation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is marking his 25th birthday.
We thought we’d look back on the book’s influence over the years and our first picture shows a Gruffalo sculpture on a Forestry England trail.
Claire Steel and Savannah Carruthers, three, from Newlands Gardens, Workington, are captured admiring the wooden beast.

In 2018, Cockermouth Library was gifted new children’s story sacks by Cockermouth Town Council and the mayor, David Malloy, took the opportunity to have a go at the Gruffalo and mouse finger puppets.

Dalston Scarecrow Festival inspired the creation of a Gruffalo garden and Emma Rowan, 12, from Morton, Sophie Johnston, two, from Durdar, and Jessica Rowan, nine, from Morton, are shown doing their best impressions.

Tammy and Jonty Wood had a similar idea for Dean Village Scarecrow Festival.

Home grown rhubarb was used by year two children at Dane Ghyll Primary School in Barrow to make ‘Gruffalo Crumble’ as part of a project to celebrate the book.
Pictured from left are Alexa Baines, Jack Tyerman, Leila Price, Jack Silvie, Jack Mclean, Will McNally and Faith Wilson.

And May Day celebrations at Nether Wasdale saw Danny Putnam, two, dress up as the Gruffalo. He is accompanied by his mother Rachel and brother Jackson, one, who went as a dinosaur.

In 2014, talented performers from Cumbria Dance took to the stage at Tullie House, Carlisle, for a performance of two of Julia Donaldson’s best-loved classics - The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom.

The beast also inspired a cake by Lisa Wheatcroft, of the Sweet Dream Cake Company, Carlisle, who won a gold award at the Cake International event in Manchester.

Our final picture shows Cummersdale School art teacher Natalie Parker putting the finishing touches to her painting of the Gruffalo in 2006.