Gruffalo creator Julia Donaldson ‘depressed’ by parents constantly on phones while with children

‘I am sad you don’t see as many people reading books,' says author

Creator of 'The Gruffalo' Julia Donaldson (Getty)

Writer and creator of The Gruffalo Julia Donaldson has expressed her dismay over the amount of time that parents frequently spend distracted on their phones, describing it as “depressing”.

Donaldson, who received an MBE for services to literature in 2011, believes parents need to pay closer attention to their children in today’s digital age.

Speaking to Radio Times, she said adults often end up becoming far more attached to their digital devices than younger generations, despite popular opinion to the contrary.

“I’m quite pessimistic about adults and the way people are always on their mobile phones,” she says.

“People often say ‘do I think children use gadgets too much’ but I’m more depressed when I see parents.

“You often see a parent with the child where the child is trying to get the parent’s attention with the parents scrolling down and looking at Facebook.

“I often find that very depressing.”

Donaldson said she had also noticed a lack of people reading physical books on public transport, an observation that makes her feel “sad”.

“I’m sorry you don’t see many people on the train reading books,” she laments.

“You can’t read many books on those tiny little screens. I am sad you don’t see as many people reading books.”

In 2017, the World Health Organisation released a report warning against the health risks associated with children spending too much time in front of digital screens.

The findings indicated a “continuous steep increase” between 2002 and 2014 of the number of children using technology for at least two hours every weekday.

Research conducted by charity National Literacy Trust in September 2018 discovered school pupils who enjoy reading and writing are three times less likely than those who do not to struggle with mental health issues.

All of the adaptations of Donaldson's beloved children's books are being shown on the BBC during the Christmas period.

The latest addition to the roster, an animated adaptation of the 2010 book Zog, is being shown on BBC1 on Christmas Day at 4.50pm.

Zog tells the story of a dragon who befriends a princess called Pearl, who aspires to become a doctor.

When asked by Radio Times whether Zog was a feminist story, BBC director of content Charlotte Moore responded: "Absolutely it is a feminist story."