Oh help, oh no, it’s the Gruffalo! Coronavirus faces fresh foe as children’s favourite beast joins public health fight in new scenes penned by author Julia Donaldson
- Julia Donaldson and illustrator Alex Scheffler reunited in the anti-virus campaign
- Set of images urge children to adhere to social distancing rules and stay at home
- Twitter users praised the pair for showing the Gruffalo in ‘similar situations to us’
The Gruffalo has joined the public health fight against coronavirus in new scenes penned by author Julia Donaldson.
The writer reunited with illustrator Axel Scheffler in a new anti-virus campaign, urging youngsters to adhere to social distancing rules, stay at home and keep in contact with elderly relatives over the phone amid the pandemic.
A series of 12 pictures sets an example for children, showing the children’s favourite beast walking two metres (6.5ft) behind mouse, the protagonist of the book, and staying inside a cave.
Gruffalo is seen walking two metres (6.5ft) behind mouse, the protagonist of the book, in the new set of images from writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler
Other images warn children to stay inside their home as part of the anti-coronavirus campaign. Illustrator Mr Scheffler came up with the idea, which has been widely praised online
Other scenes show grandchildren ‘cheering up’ granny and grandpa by making a phone call, alongside stick man and lady ‘keeping fit’ with their three children.
Mr Scheffler, who came up with the idea, told The Guardian: ‘I am not a nurse, I am not a doctor, and the situation is awful, and I thought, what can I do?
‘As an illustrator, this is what I can do.’
Ms Donaldson added: ‘I just thought it would be a nice thing for children to see the characters who they know, relating to this situation that they don’t understand.’
Twitter users praised the initiative, with one writing: ‘Well done to Julia Donaldson and the Gruffalo for helping promote this important message…’
Another said: ‘Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler showing the Gruffalo in similar situations to us.’
Other scenes show grandchildren ‘cheering up’ granny and grandpa by making a phone call (right), alongside stick man and lady ‘keeping fit’ with their three children (left)
The Gruffalo shown staying inside a cave. The creature is a monster – half grizzly bear and half buffalo – that lives in the woods, and befriends a mouse
A third added: ‘My daughter loves reading The Gruffalo and all of Julia Donaldson’s books.
‘These social distancing and #stayathome images are amazing!’
The Gruffalo has enchanted a generation of children for two decades.
The rhyming story of a mouse and a monster has sold more than 13.5 million copies across the world, according to publishers Pan Macmillan.
The Gruffalo is a monster – half grizzly bear and half buffalo – that lives in the woods, and befriends a mouse.
Ms Donaldson, a former children’s laureate, has written more than 120 books including The Snail And The Whale and teenage novel Running On The Cracks.