Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
A sensational sleigh ride; joyous poetry; amazing animals; a sinister seaside town; a deadly forest; a thrilling heist and more
Readers reply: Why are nursery rhymes and fairytales so dark?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts
Celebrities need to stop writing children’s books: they’re woefully underqualified
As Jamie Oliver has found out to his cost, write what you know or you could end up with a flop and an international PR disaster, says Arwa Mahdawi
Why are nursery rhymes and fairytales so dark?
The long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts
Konnie Huq launches free climate crisis ebook for UK primary schools
Children for Change contains stories, poems, and illustrations from more than 80 collaborators including Jamie Oliver, Mary Portas, David Baddiel and Adam Kay
‘It’s quite galling’: children’s authors frustrated by rise in celebrity-penned titles
Keira Knightley is latest star to publish a children’s book, but some say trend pushes aside genuine writers and makes it harder to find great children’s fiction
‘Could do better’ – Worst Witch author’s school reports just like Mildred’s
The family of the late Jill Murphy share the comments from unimpressed teachers that inspired her classic children’s series
As a middle-aged man, I would’ve saved loads on therapy if I’d read Baby-Sitters Club books as a kid
Boys weren’t exposed to emotionally intelligent characters in the books marketed to us. I won’t let my son be a victim of the same social taboo
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter books
From young werewolves’ adventures with vampires to hard-up funeral crashers and the late Jeremy Strong’s wonderful final tale
Publishing’s ‘Super Thursday’ includes books by Boris Johnson, Stanley Tucci and Kate Mosse
A total of 1,900 titles are being published today, including a Rebus from Ian Rankin, memoir from Miranda Hart and children’s fiction by AF Steadman
Majority of UK children’s books with Black main characters written by white authors, study finds
Report finds that books with main characters from minority ethnicities or who are disabled or neurodivergent are written by those who do not share the protagonist’s identity
Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller look back: ‘We were really cross with each other, slamming the door and saying: That’s it’
The comedy double act on playing it cool, bombing at Edinburgh, and how their friendship endured after they branched out on their own
Northern Lights by Philip Pullman audiobook review – a mesmerising reading by Ruth Wilson
The actor narrates the first book in the author’s beloved His Dark Materials trilogy, giving a richly textured performance
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
An Olympian’s picture book; a miscellany of marvellous kids; volcanoes explained; a dark Celtic adventure; and when teen wishes go wrong
The Haunted Wood: a History of Childhood Reading by Sam Leith review – young at heart
A thoughtful, witty and warmhearted journey through children’s literature