New book from Gruffalo author 'like a fairy story'

Acclaimed author Julia Donaldson said she had done "a lot of research about birds" ahead of her latest book.

Donaldson, from Steyning in West Sussex, said her new book felt "like a fairy story" as she collaborated with illustrator Catherine Rayner to write The Magic Feather, which is being released on Thursday.

The Gruffalo author said the book, about a girl who can speak to birds, had also led her to learn more about bird noises and names.

She told BBC Radio Sussex: "There's lots and lots of birds on each page."

Donaldson added: "What I like is that it feels like a fairy story.

"I did a lot of research into birds, bird noises and names."

Donaldson said the book centred around a young girl who finds a magic feather which allows her to speak to birds, and is loosely based around a traditional Scottish tale of the same premise.

The author said she had finished writing the story in Sussex in 2024.

She also praised the "absolutely beautiful" illustrations of birds done by Rayner. The pair also teamed up on The Go-Away Bird, which was released in 2019.

The illustrations are a departure from Donaldson's partnership with Axel Scheffler, who penned the pictures for The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and many of her other best-sellers.

The Gruffalo has sold over 13.5m copies as of early 2026.

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