Andy Griffiths on Terry Denton’s genius: ‘He was a true clown. He could make something funny out of nothing’

The author behind the Treehouse books remembers his friend and collaborator of 35 years, who had a ‘seemingly inexhuastible flow of nonsense’

Terry Denton, beloved Australian illustrator best known for Treehouse series, dies aged 76

The illustrator and author ‘gave joy to millions of children around the world’, his family says

Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels

A tiger’s tale; the young Henry VIII; a fantasy follow‑up from Katherine Rundell; small-town secrets; ghosts galore and more

Previously unseen drawings by Moomins author Tove Jansson to go on show in London

Exclusive: Exhibition focusing on Finnish writer and artist’s illustrations will include original art from her first Moomins book

Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels

Poetry with wonder and wit; a heartwarming tale for horse lovers; a portal to the future; a brilliant YA wartime romance and more

Owl at Home review – this Edinburgh fringe hoot is a wise choice for children

Songs, physical comedy and clever design come together in Theatr Iolo’s adaptation of Arnold Lobel’s offbeat story, aimed at over-fives

The Pout-Pout Fish review – Nick Offerman is best thing in kids cartoon adventure on the high seas

Offerman leads a talented cast, but this preschool picture book spinoff fails to inspire

How to feel optimistic in the face of crisis? Ask the kids fighting slug-like aliens

The Animorphs books taught my generation about digging deep in the face of an existential threat. We need that spirit now more than ever, says Guardian Europe writer Alexander Hurst

Why waste your time on social media when you could be flicking through picture books?

From histories of opera to compendiums of mosses, they’re beautiful, expertly written and don’t leave you feeling grubby, writes Joel Snape. What’s not to like?

Dog Man: The Musical review – Dav Pilkey’s megastar mutt sniffs out the spotlight in a barking show

A part-canine cop, a villainous cat and a psychokinetic butterflyfish burst into song as the wildly popular children’s books are adapted for the stage

Children and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels

Dogs v bears from Max Porter; a baby adventure; an Irish boarding school murder mystery; and an unsettling YA folk horror

Raymond Briggs’s library goes on sale at his local Oxfam shop

Books belonging to the beloved creator of The Snowman and When the Wind Blows were donated by his estate after his death

The Guardian view on Patrice Lawrence: a children’s laureate for our times

Editorial: The author of the bestselling young-adult novel Orangeboy is ideally suited to address the crisis of teenage masculinity and reading

‘I presumed kids’ books were written by people who were white and dead’: new children’s laureate Patrice Lawrence

The author of Orangeboy, Indigo Donut and Is That Your Mama? plans to use her two-year term to ensure children isolated from reading get involved

Patrice Lawrence chosen as new children’s laureate

Writer of YA novels Orangeboy and Needle takes over from Frank Cottrell-Boyce and plans to highlight how reading can foster connection in fragmented times