Axel Scheffler

The programme offers unique access to Julia Donaldson, her family, her rich archives and home movies, and the remarkable cast of characters that have sprung from her imagination. Specially commissioned animations from Julia's long-term illustrator Axel Scheffler bring her biography to life. With contributions from well-known admirers and collaborators, this is a tribute to the woman who has created the characters and stories that have become a fixture of children’s bedtime routines all around the world and spawned multi-award-winning adaptations for stage and screen. Looking at her works, the programme uncovers the surprising stories behind how Julia's iconic characters were created and what they mean to a generation of readers. It also explores why Donaldson’s books appeal to both children and adults alike – tackling serious themes of love, loss, fear and bullying in a poignant but subtle way.

This was of course a fitting look into the world of Julia Donaldson, whose books have kept the BBC in Christmas animations for the last few years, and will probably do so for years to come.

Busker Fred and his cat Tabby McTat entertain and delight passersby with music across London. One day, Fred falls, injures his leg, and is whisked away in an ambulance, leaving Tabby alone on the city's streets.

A small fish with a big imagination gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he is saved by his own storytelling.

A small fish with a big imagination gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he is saved by his own storytelling.

A small fish with a big imagination gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he is saved by his own storytelling.

A small fish with a big imagination gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he is saved by his own storytelling.

A small fish with a big imagination gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he is saved by his own storytelling.

Live musical stage show based on the award-winning children's book by Julia Donaldson, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. A canny little mouse goes on an adventure through a deep, dark wood, encountering a fearsome fox, an owl and a snake before meeting something much bigger and more terrifying....the purple-prickled, poisonous-warted Gruffalo.

Live musical stage show based on the award-winning children's book by Julia Donaldson, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. A canny little mouse goes on an adventure through a deep, dark wood, encountering a fearsome fox, an owl and a snake before meeting something much bigger and more terrifying....the purple-prickled, poisonous-warted Gruffalo.

Live musical stage show based on the award-winning children's book by Julia Donaldson, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. A canny little mouse goes on an adventure through a deep, dark wood, encountering a fearsome fox, an owl and a snake before meeting something much bigger and more terrifying....the purple-prickled, poisonous-warted Gruffalo.

Live musical stage show based on the award-winning children's book by Julia Donaldson, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. A canny little mouse goes on an adventure through a deep, dark wood, encountering a fearsome fox, an owl and a snake before meeting something much bigger and more terrifying....the purple-prickled, poisonous-warted Gruffalo.

Live musical stage show based on the award-winning children's book by Julia Donaldson, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. A canny little mouse goes on an adventure through a deep, dark wood, encountering a fearsome fox, an owl and a snake before meeting something much bigger and more terrifying....the purple-prickled, poisonous-warted Gruffalo.