Best children’s and YA books of 2022
Journeys through music, history, magic and more, plus the standout books for young adults
The Borrowers review – less a wild adventure more an escape from trauma
Mary Norton’s 1952 novel about tiny pillagers gets a sober stage remake that blends minor-key music with contemporary fears
Children’s authors of colour published in UK rose to 11.7% of market in 2021
BookTrust research shows, however, that the overall picture ‘remains far from representative’ with some writers and illustrators reporting tokenism
Recently discovered Wind in the Willows illustration to be sold at auction
The pencil and ink drawing of a swaggering Mr Toad and his friends by EH Shepard was found hanging on the stairs of an East Anglian country house
Marcus Sedgwick, celebrated children’s author, dies aged 54
Tributes have flooded in for the much-loved writer, who wrote more than 40 books for children and adults including the recent Be the Change handbooks
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter books
Blockbuster authors Cressida Cowell and Robin Stevens introduce new series, while SF Said returns with a tremendous counterfactual thriller
Mindfulness books for children are a runaway publishing trend
Industry reports sales of titles for under-10s addressing emotions up almost 40%, driven by demand from young people
One in five children’s books features character of colour – but fiction lags behind
New survey finds steep rise in recent years but presence of minoritised characters is often ‘poorly executed or insignificant’
BookTrust launches Christmas appeal with research showing parents buying fewer presents
Survey shows more than 60% of UK parents will be spending less this year on gifts for children, as charity begins #JustOneBook drive to give disadvantaged youngsters book parcels
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
A pet rhinoceros; a young guide to emotions; an intrepid aviator; and a YA debut to please Buffy fans
Jamie Oliver and Geri Halliwell-Horner become the latest celebrities to announce children’s books
Publishers have faced criticism for producing books considered ‘an easy sell’
David Gadsby obituary
Other lives: Educational publisher who launched a range of books of songs and poetry for children
My Brother Sean illustrator laments lack of Black children’s authors
Errol Lloyd hopes for emergence of new crop of writers, as Newcastle exhibition opens
Just Sayin’ by Malorie Blackman review – against the odds
The former children’s laureate shares her sometimes enraging story of rejection, determination and resilience
Picture books for children – reviews
A magical zebra, fat cats in lockdown and a bus-riding chipmunk star in this month’s round-up