The Gruffalo!

The picture book, The Gruffalo written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, has been made into an Academy Award®-nominated short film! We'll know if it wins during the Oscars on February 27th. Meanwhile, get a load...

But even better - here's a "Making of" which I just adore...

How awesome for this story to have this new life...
Per the press info:

The film tells the magical tale of a mouse who takes a walk though the woods in search of a nut. Featuring a top-notch voice cast including Helena Bonham Carter, James Corden, Tom Wilkinson, John Hurt, Rob Brydon and Robbie Coltrane, Axel Scheffler’s classic artwork is brought to life with a unique mixture of computer animation shot on physical sets. Directed by Jakob Schuh and Max Lang and and animated at the award-winning Studio Soi in Ludwigsburg, Germany, the film was originated and produced by Michael Rose and Martin Pope of London based Magic Light Pictures.

The book the film was based on celebrated its 10th anniversary last year and has been translated into 40 different languages selling over 4 million copies worldwide. It is currently being distributed in the U.S. by Penguin Books, and will be re-promoted in the Fall of 2011.