Meet the writer who penned The Gruffalo, one of the world’s best-loved monsters.
Catch Up With Gruffalos, Ladybirds & Other Beasts With Award-Winning YA Writer, Julia Donaldson
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What Is It?
An interactive session with award-winning childen’s writer. Julia Donaldson. Every youngster {and may adults who are still young at heart} would be familiar with the huge hairy monster, Gruffalo. But what about the lady behind the half-grizzly bear half-buffalo monster that lurks in the woods? Meet Britain’s best-selling children’s author as she appears in person at an event hosted by the Kolkata Lit Meet folks.
The session will see Donaldson discussing ways to get children back to books. Expect characters from all of Donaldson’s popular tales including What the Ladybird Heard, Zog, A Squash and a Squeeze and Jack and the Flumflum Tree. And The Gruffalo, obviously.
Why Should I Go?
Because you will be meeting one of the most talented YA writers ever. The Gruffalo is an undisputed modern classic — this award-winning rhyming story of a mouse and a monster has become a best-selling phenomenon across the world with over 14 million copies sold in 70 languages. As a writer, playwright and performer, Julia will share what makes a great story and how her books engage children in reading and performance. Many of her picture books have been adapted for stage and Magic Light Pictures has made award-winning animated films of her books.
And if that doesn’t convince you, here’s a slice from one of her books, perhaps you can find out how she writes such magical prose.
The doctor came and he shook his head.
“Your granny has the moozles,” the doctor said.
“And the only cure in the world,” said he,
“Is the fruit that grows on the flumflum tree,
And the only place that the flumflum grows
Is the faraway Isle of Blowyernose.”
Anything Else?
Julia also writes fiction, poetry and plays, was the UK’s Children’s Laureate from 2011-2013 and has been awarded an MBE for her services to literature. Read this really interesting interview here with Donaldson and the books; illustrator Axel Scheffler about what Brexit would have meant for The Gruffalo.
What: Julia Donaldson in Conversation.
When: January 24, 2pm.
Where: Victoria Memorial, entry is from the east gate, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral. Find our more here.
