THE GRUFFALO

First edition, first printing. Hardcover issue. Publisher's original laminated boards. Illustrated in colour throughout by Axel Sheffler. A fine copy, the binding square and tight, bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout and without inscriptions or stamps. Loosely laid in is a later pictorial bookplate signed by the author Julia Donaldson in blue ink and the illustrator Axel Sheffler in black ink.

The author and illustrator's most famous work, one of the scarcest and most sought after children's books of the late twentieth century. The first edition was issued simultaneously in hardcover and paperback, with the majority of the hardcover issue destined for the school and public library system. Winner of the 1999 Nestle Smarties Book Prize and Blue Peter Book Award, now a modern classic, the picture book has sold more than 13.5 million copies in over 100 languages. Adapted into the 2009 Academy Award and BAFTA nominated, animated short film, directed by Jakob Schuh and Max Lang, starring Robbie Coltrane, James Corden, Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, John Hurt and Tom Wilkinson.