This book is part of the Modern-Day Miniature Library, a contemporary collection of miniature handwritten and hand-bound books which has been assembled to celebrate 100 years since Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House was completed in 1924.

Of the nearly 600 books placed on the shelves of the Dolls' House Library in the 1920s, over 170 are tiny manuscripts handwritten by the most notable authors of the time. Together, these create a time capsule of literary culture.

Echoing the process of a century ago, today's writers were again asked to write by hand in miniature format. Their little pages were bound by leading contemporary designer-binders. After being displayed in an exhibition at Windsor Castle during 2024, the new collection of doll-size books will be kept together in the Royal Library.

As the centenary of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House coincided with the 25th anniversary of the first publication of The Gruffalo written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the duo handwrote and hand-painted a miniature version of their well-loved children’s story. The little book contains new illustrations, never before seen, including a picture of Gruffalo Crumble. The tiny manuscript has been bound in hand-painted and gold-tooled vellum by Glenn Bartley, Head of the Royal Bindery. In the bird's-eye view of the deep, dark wood depicted on the covers, the paths taken by the Gruffalo and the Mouse are highlighted in gold. The two characters meet on the green, goatskin spine. Their golden outlines were created using specially-designed binding tools, and the creatures' images have been used with the permission of Axel Scheffler.