She has many finest promoting books however now creator Julia Donaldson fancies a brand new problem for the brand new yr

Youngsters’s creator Julia Donaldson says she needs to department out into West Finish musicals. Julia, 77, who has delighted youngsters of all ages with the The ­Gruffalo, Stickman and Room on the Broom, hopes to work with the likes of Lord Lloyd-Webber or Sir Elton John.

She stated: “I’d method some terribly well-known West Finish impresario who’s acquired the subsequent large hit all prepared and I’ll simply write the lyrics and I received’t need to do any of the onerous work. I do know a couple of individuals. I feel I’d put out a couple of feelers.” Julia is making a festive look within the Christmas version of The Restore Store, alongside Dame Helen Mirren and Gavin & Stacey star Rob Brydon.

Rob additionally crops up on Christmas Day, voicing Reginald Rake, the baddie within the animated movie of Julia’s ebook The Scarecrows’ Wedding ceremony. A part of the storyline involving Reginald needed to be edited for the TV model.

Reginald places the wedding plans of scarecrows Harry O’Hay (Domhnall Gleeson) and Betty O’Barley (Jessie Buckley) in jeopardy. The half-hour movie is prone to be a giant hit.

However Julia can’t foresee a sequel like ones for The Gruffalo and Zog. She stated: “What may or not it’s? The Scarecrows’ Divorce? This can be a happy-ever-after story so I wouldn’t wish to damage that. I suppose they might have child scarecrows.” Maybe she needs to keep away from one other controversy. A scene from The Scarecrows’ Wedding ceremony, the place Reginald’s cigar units gentle to a discipline endangering Betty, needed to be reduce – a lot to Julia’s annoyance.

She stated: “However then there was this factor concerning the smoking. I believe a couple of mums on Mumsnet possibly stated one thing and it acquired blown up.

“When the ebook first got here on the market had been no complaints in any way. It’s identified it’s dangerous on your well being, makes you cough and may begin a hearth. He’s a nasty character who’s exhibiting off.” Julia, whose husband of 52 years Malcolm died final yr, will get a whole lot of letters every week from youngsters.

“I’ve acquired a number of humorous ones. Typically they don’t even say something concerning the books. They are saying issues like: ‘Pricey Julia, I’m garbage at handstands as a result of I preserve falling over’ or ‘I like your books.. anyway that’s sufficient about you. I’m seven and I’ve blonde hair and a pony’.”

Future Julia Donaldson books could look completely different as a result of final yr artist Axel Scheffler hinted he may cease illustrating her books. He stated: “Now we have executed possibly 30 books now and… is that sufficient, actually?”

* The Scarecrows’ Wedding ceremony airs on BBC1 and iPlayer on Christmas Day.

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