Axel Scheffler

Author Links

Website

4 stars across 39 books

Axel Scheffler Biography

Axel Scheffler is an acclaimed illustrator, animator and more recently author of children's books. He was born in Hamburg in 1957 and moved to England in 1982 in order to study illustration at the Bath Academy of Art. He then worked for a variety of advertising companies, magazines and newspapers in both England and Germany.

His big break into the world of children’s book illustration came when he was asked to illustrate A Squash and a Squeeze, Julia Donaldson’s first book. This was to be the start of a long and very successful partnership. They have collaborated on many books including The Gruffalo, a worldwide bestseller, which has sold over 13.5 million copies and been translated into 60 languages.

In recent years Scheffler has turned his hand to writing as well as illustrating, creating the adorable characters of Pip and Posy, a mouse and a rabbit, in a series of books aimed at toddlers. He is also the author of The Pocket Library series, a set of rhyming books about animals, again aimed at toddlers, and the Flip Flap book series that includes Flip Flap Farm.

Scheffler has also illustrated for many other writers including Phillip Ardagh, author of the series of books about the Grunts, and Ian Whybrow, author of The Bedtime Bear.

Axel Scheffler Facts

- In a number of the books that Axel Scheffler has illustrated for Julia Donaldson there is a small sketch of a Gruffalo, you have to look very carefully to find them!

- When Scheffler sends illustrations to Julia Donaldson in the post he decorates the envelopes with doodles.

- Axel Scheffler designed Christmas cards for Gordon Brown, former British Prime Minister in 2006

- In 2012 Scheffler was approached by the Royal Mail to design a series of 5 Christmas stamps.

- Like many artists Scheffler is very critical of his own work, he admits that he had a hard time drawing The Gruffalo, and didn’t enjoy drawing him at all.

Our Favourite Axel Scheffler Book Characters

The Mouse in Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo
Mr. Grunt in Philip Ardagh’s The Grunts in Trouble
Master Criminal Macavity in T. S Elliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats
Pip and Posy in Axel Scheffler’s Pip and Posy books

Filter

Publication Date

Series

The Gruffalo

21st April 2016

The Gruffalo

The nation's favourite bedtime story! Walk into the deep dark wood, and discover what happens when a quick-witted mouse ... MoreThe Gruffalo

(393 reviews) Review

A Squash and a Squeeze

4th June 2004

A Squash and a Squeeze

''Wise old man, won't you help me, please? My house is a squash and squeeze.'' What can you do if your house is... MoreA Squash and a Squeeze

(139 reviews) Review

Sound-Button Stories: Cuddly Cow

2nd June 2016

Sound-Button Stories: Cuddly Cow

Cuddly Cow is ready for bed, but she can't get to sleep anywhere! As she visits her farmyard friends, will she find the ... MoreSound-Button Stories: Cuddly Cow

(12 reviews) Review

Pip the Puppy: A Push, Pull, Slide Book

6th February 2020

Pip the Puppy: A Push, Pull, Slide Book

Little ones can join in the fun with mischievous Pip the Puppy by pulling out the sliders and pushing up the tabs. Follo... MorePip the Puppy: A Push, Pull, Slide Book

(3 reviews) Review

Treasury of Rhyming Stories Book and CD

1st June 2015

Treasury of Rhyming Stories Book and CD

Katie, Pip and Freddy are lively creatures who love to make noise, dance about and have fun. Beautifully illustrated b... MoreTreasury of Rhyming Stories Book and CD

(2 reviews) Review

Mother Goose's Action Rhymes

28th June 2016

Mother Goose's Action Rhymes

From I'm a Little Teapot to Row, Row, Row Your Boat, these twelve classic nursery rhymes and traditional action songs ... MoreMother Goose's Action Rhymes

(2 reviews) Review

Sound-Button Stories: Portly Pig

2nd June 2016

Sound-Button Stories: Portly Pig

Portly Pig loves nothing more than being mucky! He sets off around the farm in search of a big muddy puddle, but what wi... MoreSound-Button Stories: Portly Pig

(2 reviews) Review

Axel Scheffler's Fairy Tales: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

5th May 2022

Axel Scheffler's Fairy Tales: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

The classic, much-loved story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, masterfully brought to life by Axel Sch... MoreAxel Scheffler's Fairy Tales: Goldilocks and the Three Bears

(2 reviews) Review

The Jeweller's Apprentice

7th March 2024

The Jeweller's Apprentice

An animal fairy tale by Axel Scheffler, illustrator of The Gruffalo, with a heartwarming message about learning from you... MoreThe Jeweller's Apprentice

(2 reviews) Review

Mother Goose's Playtime Rhymes

5th September 2008

Mother Goose's Playtime Rhymes

Once there was a mother goose who had three little goslings. Her playful young family could be a handful at times but ... MoreMother Goose's Playtime Rhymes

(1 review) Review

Show More Books

New Book

Axel Scheffler's Treasury of Fairy Tales

7th May 2026

(0 reviews)

Coming Soon

Nursery Rhymes Magic Painting

Other

11th February 2027

Recent Reviews

The Gruffalo

by Y6STG

This book is amazing to read to the younger ones! It’s a good book to laugh at. It also brings lots of nostalgia to the older ones in year 4+ because ...
A Squash and a Squeeze

by Clara0015

This is another fun book from Julia Donaldson with some funny bits too.
We enjoy this book and it has fantastic illustrations. ...
A Squash and a Squeeze

by LisaMarie

Another Julia Donaldson classic. This was one of the most read books in our house before in little man's first year. He loves naming all the animals a...