Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

If not Julia Donaldson in 2026, then who?

35 replies

Scarydinosaurs · 27/12/2025 07:27

I love the Julia Donaldson BBC adaptations (and I wish they had done The Singing Mermaid!) but if they are going to choose a new author, then who would be good?

I love the “Worst Princess” picture book and think it would adapt really well for television.

Another good option would be the “Ten little…” series, personal favourite: Ten Little Robots.

If they went for a classic, the “Peace at Last” stories about the Large Family are lovely.

What would you like to see turned into BBC cartoons at Christmas time?

OP posts:
Bernadinetta · 27/12/2025 08:39

Dressered · 27/12/2025 08:33

Burglar Bill is a wonderful book. Alan Ahlberg died recently so an adaptation of his book would be a tribute to his work for children’s literature. I also love Paper Dolls by Julia Donaldson. It is such a brilliantly comforting way to teach children about death.
In fact lots of the Ahlberg books would make excellent adaptations. What about Peepo? Or Each Peach?
We are going on a Bear Hunt was a recent Christmas adaptation and it is a Michael Rosen book. So the BBC does not deal exclusively in Julia Donaldson..

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt was on Channel 4, they’ve also done Mog (Judith Kerr)

newrubylane · 27/12/2025 08:42

Rachel Bright books could be good. We love the Squirrels Who Squabbled and The Gecko and the Echo. Or Giles Andrae - Giraffes Can't Dance, Be Brave Little Penguin.

KatyN · 27/12/2025 08:42

Eenameenadeeka · 27/12/2025 07:54

There are very old cartoons of this, I had on VHS as a child in the 90s, and you can watch them on YouTube now :)

Show quote history

This has made my day after Boxing Day.
the only quandary is do I have a nap or dive right in now?

Meredusoleil · 27/12/2025 08:52

What about the Aliens love underpants series?

TheIceBear · 27/12/2025 09:06

Bernadinetta · 27/12/2025 08:38

There’s already a TV series of Ten Little… on Sky Kids

Show quote history

I look forward to checking that out..thanks!

Original poster
Scarydinosaurs · 27/12/2025 13:53

I wonder if Oi Frog would translate well into a cartoon…

I think Peace at Last is another good one that would be lovely to watch on screen.

The Selfish Giant! That would be great and Christmassy-ish with the snow.

OP posts:
JamMakingWannaBe · 27/12/2025 14:02

Just why do JD/AS have a monopoly on Xmas children's programming? There are SO MANY other great children's authors/illustratators.

I'm not a fan of JD since she rhymed "war" with "dinosaur".

My vote is for Gemma Morino - especially The Cow Who Climbed a Tree.

HungreeHipp0 · 27/12/2025 14:25

I think the Rachel Bright books would be great, e.g. The Lion Inside, The Squirrels who squabbled etc. They all have such lovely messages behind them.

Zigazagbox · 27/12/2025 14:26

Pipsquiggle · 27/12/2025 07:46

Hairy Maclary

Lynley Dodd was my first thought too. All his books are favourites in our house.

Are there already adaptation of Shirley Hughes books?

Zigazagbox · 27/12/2025 14:29

Eenameenadeeka · 27/12/2025 07:54

There are very old cartoons of this, I had on VHS as a child in the 90s, and you can watch them on YouTube now :)

Show quote history

Ooh my kids will delighted! (And me, they might be my favourites too)

New posts on this thread. Refresh page