Jonty Gentoo

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 fabulous new picture book 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)
• 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.
• The animated film of The Scarecrows’ Wedding stars voice artists including Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip) voicing Reginald Rake, Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters, Wild Rose) as Betty O’Barley, Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Alice and Jack) as Harry O’Hay, all led by Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) as the Narrator.