All About Authors- Julia Donaldson

SHARE:


All About Authors- Julia Donaldson.  Biographical information, book list, activities and crafts, along with other resources to support books written by Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom, Stick Man, The Snail On the Whale, and more!

Julia Donaldson is one of our absolute favorite authors, so there was no doubt in my mind that I would feature her in my All About Authors series!  She writes in catchy rhymes about whimsical creatures and animals.  Many of her books feature themes of friendship, family, and perseverance.  We were first introduced to Donaldson's work after our book store offered a special on a board book copy of Room On The Broom.  After that, we were hooked!  While you may be familiar with some of her work, I'd like to help you dig a little deeper with these book reviews, crafts and activities, and other resources.

[Related Read: Resources For Choosing Children's Books]


A Little Bit About Julia Donaldson

Julia Donaldson was born in 1948 in London.  She studied studied drama and French, and had a career as a children's songwriter for television shows before becoming and children's book author.  Ms. Donaldson has written over 90 books, many of which are illustrated by German illustrator Axel Scheffler.  She has won many awards for her books, and served as Children's Laureate (a distinguished position in the UK) from 2011 to 2013.

Our Favorite Julia Donaldson Books


This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links.  If you use these links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.   Click here for my full privacy and disclosure policies.

Where's My Mom?, part of Julia Donaldon book review list with crafts, activities and other resources

Where's My Mom?

You may sometimes see this book with the alternate title of Monkey Puzzle.  A little monkey is lost and asks a butterfly for help in finding his mom.  The monkey describes his mother, but the butterfly finds the wrong animal mother based on the monkey's description.  Finally, the monkey explains that his mother looks like him and the butterfly is able to help (and didn't realize what to look for sooner because her own babies- caterpillars- look nothing like her).  We enjoyed this story that led us around to the different jungle animals and made us think about how the butterfly's own life experience shaped her perspective of the world.

Superworm, part of Julia Donaldon book review list with crafts, activities and other resources

Superworm

Superworm is a hero to many animal friends.  He uses his super strength and super length to rescue little critters who are in a jam.  When Superworm is captured, and made to work for an evil lizard, the friends that he helped come to his rescue.  I love this rhyming story about friendship, and also liked showing my daughters a friendlier side of creepy crawlies!

A Gold Star For Zog, part of Julia Donaldon book review list with crafts, activities and other resources

A Gold Star For Zog

Zog is a enrolled in dragon school, and is very bright.  He is, however, very clumsy and runs into trouble while learning to fly, to roar, to breathe fire, and to capture princesses.  Zog meets and befriends a princess whose true calling is medicine.  Together, Zog, the princess, and a knight who has come to rescue her, are able to follow their true passions.  I especially loved the dragon illustrations in this A Gold Star For Zog.  Axel Scheffler does monsters particularly well!

Stick Man, part of Julia Donaldon book review list with crafts, activities and other resources

Stick Man

This story is perfect for winter or Christmastime.  Stick Man lives with his wife and kids in a hollow tree, but is carried off by a dog wanting to play fetch.  After a series of grand adventures that take him farther and farther away from home, Stick Man eventually finds his way home in time for Christmas.  This book scared my girls and made them a little bit more scared than all some of Donaldson's others, perhaps because of the "being away from your family" theme, but they were okay in the end.

The Gruffalo, part of Julia Donaldon book review list with crafts, activities and other resources

The Gruffalo

The Gruffalo is perhaps Julia Donaldson's most well known book.  A little mouse is trying to take a stroll through the forest and keeps referring to a mysterious creature known as a Gruffalo to the animals that are looking to eat him.  Finally the mouse runs into the actual Gruffalo and is able to use his wits to get himself safely back through the forest.  The rhymes in this story are especially clever, and my daughters love being just a little bit scared by the description of the Gruffalo. 

Room On The Broom, part of Julia Donaldon book review list with crafts, activities and other resources

Room On The Broom

Room On The Broom is a Halloween classic!  A witch and her cat are out for a moonlit ride on her broom, but the wind keeps blowing things away!  Friendly animals on  the ground help the witch find her items, and ask for a ride on the broom in exchange.  Finally the witch has to get clever and make a NEW broom that will hold all her new friends.  We love the crazy broom that she creates at the end!

The Spiffiest Giant In Town, part of Julia Donaldon book review list with crafts, activities and other resources

The Spiffiest Giant In Town

A friendly giant trades his old raggedy clothes for some fresh duds.  But then as he walks home, other animals are in need and his clothes are able to help.  He finds himself in nothing but his undershirt and pants and realizes that his old clothes were just fine after all.  This book may have been my girls favorite from the library.  They especially liked learning what the word "spiffy" meant and have been using it ever since!  I especially liked the message of kindness towards others.

The Snail And The Whale, part of Julia Donaldon book review list with crafts, activities and other resources

The Snail And The Whale

The Snail And The Whale is one of my favorite stories from Donaldson and Scheffler!  A little snail wants to see the world, so he tags along with a whale on his annual migration.  When the whale is in trouble, the tiny snail is able to find a way to help.  The rhymes in this story are brilliant and catchy, and again, the lessons of friendship are nice for children to hear.

Tiddler, part of Julia Donaldon book review list with crafts, activities and other resources

Tiddler

You may find this story in your library or bookstore under the name The Fish Who Cried Wolf.  Tiddler is a little fish who tells many tall tales to explain his tardiness.  Finally, a truly fantastic story DOES happen to him.  He ends up far from home, but is able to find his way home through a trail of sea creatures who have heard of his exploits.  The rhyming cadence of this story isn't as smooth and easy to read as many of Donaldson's other stories, but we enjoy it just the same.


[Related Read: Lesser Known Dr. Seuss Books]

Activities to Accompany Julia Donaldson Books

The Gruffalo

All About Authors: Julia Donaldson- Crafts and activities to support The Gruffalo
Paper Plate Gruffalo from Glued To My Crafts
The Gruffalo Shape Animals from The Educator's Spin On It
Chocolate Gruffalo Crumble from Toddler Approved

Stick Man

All About Authors: Julia Donaldson- Crafts and activities to support Stick Man
Recycled Stick Man Craft from Laly Mom 
Fancy Stick Crown from Mama Miss
Going On A Stick Hunt from Playing With Words 365

Room On The Broom 

All About Authors: Julia Donaldson- Crafts and activities to support Room On The Broom
Room On The Broom Story Sack from Play And Learn Every Day
Room On The Broom Sensory Bin from Still Playing School

Snail On The Whale 

All About Authors: Julia Donaldson- Crafts and activities to support The Snail And The Whale
Paper Plate Whale from Krokotak
Glitter Snail Trails from Off The Shelf

Other Activities 

All About Authors: Julia Donaldson- Crafts and activities to support Are You My Mother, Superworm, and Tiddler
Superworm Play Dough from Fantastic Fun and Learning for Rainy Day Mum
Are You My Mother? Animal Sorting and Story Telling from Fantastic Fun and Learning
Tiddler Paper Plate Fish Collage from Crafty Kids At Home for Rainy Day Mum

[Related Read: Book Extensions]

 

Other Julia Donaldson Resources

Gruffalo.com- The official website of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler- LOADS of videos, activity suggestions, printable games and puzzles, merchandise, and more.

Teaching Ideas- Activities and teaching suggestions for many Julia Donaldson books, as well as author fact cards and a printable banner.

Julia Donaldson.co.uk  - Julia Donaldson's official website with biographical information and information on her books, poems, and other work.

"How We Met: Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler" - An article from the Independent about how the relationship between the formidable author and illustrator duo.

Watch animated versions of The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, Room On The Broom, or Stick Man free with an Amazon prime membership (or even just a free 30 day trial).

You May Also Be Interested In:




https://www.facebook.com/WhatCanWeDoWithPaperAndGlue/
 https://www.pinterest.com/paperglue/
https://www.instagram.com/whatcanwedowithpaperandglue/
http://madmimi.com/signups/125528/join

Name

activity animals art author back to school bears bees bird black history book extension book list books budget butterfly cats chalk chapter books children christmas cinco de mayo circus coins colors construction cookie craft crafts culture curriculum dentist different dinosaurs discovery table diy doctor dogs dolls Earth Day easter elementary fabric fall family family theme farm fathers day fine motor first grade five senses flowers food france fruit game geography gift gift guide gross motor grownup halloween healthy history homeschool ideas independence day insect insects invitation jungle keepsake kids kindergarten kindness kinesthetic learning lego letter of the week literacy lunch math menu resource mothers day music my body nature numbers obstacle course ocean organization origami ornament outer space painting paper parenting play play dough pops preschool preschool resource pretend printable process art pumpkin quiet time rainbows reading roundup recipe recycle Roundup science season second grade sensory Seuss sewing shapes snack snacks soup spanish spring st. patrick's day summer sweet bite Thanksgiving toddler toys transportation trees tutorial united states valentine vegetarian washi tape weather weekly theme winter yarn
false
ltr
item
What Can We Do With Paper And Glue: All About Authors- Julia Donaldson
All About Authors- Julia Donaldson
All About Authors- Julia Donaldson. Biographical information, book list, activities and crafts, along with other resources to support books written by Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom, Stick Man, The Snail On the Whale, and more!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S744kOeBf5jZTNF0WR8lCWrW8ijXNrSqi7TBdedykqDK7d7He0USAaX84kFNByZoHSMtl-98gbdV6DP1OvMgj95RR5IW0FqJ-f9Yc4EhQqro0074ZocAwMuvnRyCOvYzPRpYzVDnwnxB/s640/All-About-Authors-Julia-Donaldson.png
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2S744kOeBf5jZTNF0WR8lCWrW8ijXNrSqi7TBdedykqDK7d7He0USAaX84kFNByZoHSMtl-98gbdV6DP1OvMgj95RR5IW0FqJ-f9Yc4EhQqro0074ZocAwMuvnRyCOvYzPRpYzVDnwnxB/s72-c/All-About-Authors-Julia-Donaldson.png
What Can We Do With Paper And Glue
http://www.paper-and-glue.com/2016/03/all-about-authors-julia-donaldson.html?m=0
http://www.paper-and-glue.com/?m=0
http://www.paper-and-glue.com/
http://www.paper-and-glue.com/2016/03/all-about-authors-julia-donaldson.html
true
2983766635568173784
UTF-8
Not found any posts VIEW ALL Readmore Reply Cancel reply Delete By Home PAGES POSTS View All RECOMMENDED FOR YOU LABEL ARCHIVE SEARCH ALL POSTS Not found any post match with your request Back Home Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat January February March April May June July August September October November December Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec just now 1 minute ago $$1$$ minutes ago 1 hour ago $$1$$ hours ago Yesterday $$1$$ days ago $$1$$ weeks ago more than 5 weeks ago Followers Follow THIS CONTENT IS PREMIUM Please share to unlock Copy All Code Select All Code All codes were copied to your clipboard Can not copy the codes / texts, please press [CTRL]+[C] (or CMD+C with Mac) to copy