Millions of children know the Grüffelo and his story: various animals want to eat the little mouse. To protect herself, she invents a forest monster that suddenly becomes reality. Initially a menacing monster, the Grüffelo is also outwitted by the mouse.
How often has the central rhyme been read aloud? "Oh horror, oh horror, I'm so frightened, / he does exist, the Gruffalo!" - this is what it says when the monster appears.
The Grüffelo has been around since 1999 and is highly successful. Julia Donaldson's children's book has been translated into more than 100 languages and dialects worldwide. More or less frightening, but lovingly illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the Grüffelo, together with the Grüffelo child and other characters, has been part of Donaldson and Scheffler's picture cosmos for more than 25 years. Playful and colorful, they tell of courage, self-confidence, overcoming fears, friendship and solidarity. The language is simple and rhymed. In the exhibition, around 70 original illustrations, sketches and preparatory works show the creation of these worlds.
The Gruffalo © 1999 & TM Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler
Before the Grüffelo, the creative duo Donaldson-Scheffler had already been working together for seven years. Julia Donaldson develops the ideas for the joint books and shapes them into rhythmic texts with refrain-like repetitions. Axel Scheffler receives the manuscripts from the publisher and then draws inspiration for his pictures. Outsider characters often form the heroes of the stories, such as a living twig in "Stockmann" or a clever duck that tricks the thieving "robber rat". This playfully conveys the confidence that even those who do not conform to the usual norms can be appreciated. Surprising twists and turns often lead to the heart of the story.
Axel Scheffler's colorful pictures appear simple, but are ingenious. This is shown by the development of the Grüffelo figure, as traced in the exhibition. Originally he was much more menacing before Axel Scheffler gave him his striking and good-natured appearance with the characteristic orange eyes. Interactive stations for reading, listening, playing and creative design complement the originals in the exhibition.
July 12, 2025 to July 5, 2026
