Jonty Gentoo Early Reader

Author: Julia Donaldson

Interest age: from c 3 years

Published on 13 August 2026 by Scholastic (Alison Green Books) in the United Kingdom.

Paperback | 32 pages
189 x 146 x 6 | 76g

Winner of the 2025 British Book Award for Book of the

Year: Children's Illustrated

'Gorgeous ... it has a lovely message about finding

your place in the world.' - Good Housekeeping Magazine

'A captivating story written in rhyme so perfect that

reading it as a bedtime story is a breeze. It's an instant classic.' -

The I

'Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are the Lennon

and McCartney of children's publishing.' - Sunday Times

Join a plucky little penguin on the journey of a lifetime

in this accessible early-reader format, from superstar author

and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Jonty the little gentoo penguin longs to find his true

home at the South Pole.

One night, he sneaks out of the zoo and sets off on an amazing

adventure, all the way to Antarctica

(with an accidental detour to the North Pole!)

Children will be cheering Jonty on as he finally finds his way,

in this captivating story of bravery, friendship, and finding your

place in the world.

Jonty Gentoo is an official UK Number One Children's

Bestseller (17 Sept 2024)

This early reader edition has extra-clear font and layout

making it acessible for those gaining confidence in

reading

Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every

page

Fantastic illustrations of the natural world, with lots of details

to spot, including seals, polar bears . . . and lots and lots

of penguins!

Julia and Axel are the team that have created picture book favourites

such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Zog

and Superworm - all of which have been made into

animated films premiering on BBC1 Christmas Day.