Macmillan and Read for Good to bring The Gruffalo's Child into children's hospitals this Christmas

One thousand children in hospital over Christmas will receive a gift-wrapped special edition of Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo’s Child (Macmillan). 

The picture book, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, will be distributed across 31 children’s wards in hospitals across England and Wales this week, along with a box of Gruffalo’s Child activity sets. 

The donations from Macmillan Children’s Books and charity Read for Good mark 20 years since Donaldson and Scheffler’s follow up to The Gruffalo was published. 

The presents were gift wrapped by volunteers at Pan Macmillan. 

Donaldson said: “I have been a patron for Read for Good for many years and support the important work they do with children promoting the fun and enjoyment that can be found in books. They are building readers at the same time as raising funds for children and families who need help. I am really pleased that we are working with them to mark The Gruffalo’s Child’s 20th anniversary, and I hope that this campaign will help to improve many children’s experience in hospitals at this time of year.”   

Scheffler said: “I am very pleased that we are working with Read for Good again. It is really important that children have access to books, particularly in hospital when they are away from family and friends. I hope that The Gruffalo’s Child story, the animation and all the activities will be fun, will brighten their days and help them to feel much better.”   

Justine Daniels, c.e.o of Read for Good, said: “The generous donation from Macmillan Children’s Books of The Gruffalo’s Child books and resources, along with the special messages from Julia and Axel, will be a welcome way to bring festive cheer to hundreds of children in hospital this Christmas. We know that children in hospital will love unwrapping their gifts and sharing the book and activities with their families, at a time when a comforting story goes a really long way.” 

Festive activity packs delivered alongside the special editions contain colouring sheets, puzzles and codes to access a draw-along video from Scheffler. Children can hear the audiobook for free and production company Magic Light Pictures provided a special link for children to watch the animated "The Gruffalo’s Child" film.  

Stickerscape also donated Gruffalo window stickers to brighten up the hospital wards, while Danilo donated the Gruffalo character wrapping paper.  

Hospital staff will also receive a Christmas card to thank them for everything they do, written by Scheffler and complete with a hand-drawn festive mouse or Gruffalo image.  

Alyx Price, director of strategic partnerships and stakeholder relations at Macmillan Children’s Books, said: “Being in hospital is a worrying time for children and their families and we know that books and stories bring comfort, distraction and reassurance. We hope that The Gruffalo’s Child and the other activities will help these young patients through their difficult times. Read for Good is a long-standing charity partner for us and it has been great to work together on this anniversary moment for one of the nation’s favourite stories. With Pan Macmillan colleagues happily joining in and other Gruffalo stakeholders keen to be involved too, it’s been a full team effort for a great cause.” 

A charity book sale will be held at Pan Macmillan in the run up to Christmas to raise funds for the charity.