The book I got for Christmas: ‘Even the cover was terrifying’
Continuing our series of Guardian writers revealing their most memorable gift books, David Barnett remembers how Usborne’s The World of the Unknown: Ghosts scared him for years
Australia Christmas gift guide 2021: 160 good gift ideas, including last-minute options
From presents that give back to edible treats, Guardian Australia and a team of guest editors select the best gifts and shopping options to please everyone from kids to chronic grumps this Christmas
The book I got for Christmas: ‘This genius anthology probably set the course of my life’
In a short series for the festive season, Guardian writers reveal the most memorable books they have been given for Christmas. Alison Flood kicks off, revealing how Kaye Webb’s I Like This Poem introduced her to the joys of poetry
Quentin Blake: ‘I’m not so committed to cheering everybody up, you know’
He may be best known for bringing children’s books by Roald Dahl and Michael Rosen to vivid life, but a new documentary reveals the more serious side to illustrator’s career
The best children’s books of 2021
Fiona Noble looks back on the year and, below, our critics pick their favourites in each age group
The best children’s and YA books of 2021
From magical picture books and rollicking adventures to the conclusion of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses series, standout reads for all ages
Julia and the Shark’s writers on their pandemic-driven book lauded by Waterstones
The novel written and illustrated by husband-and-wife duo, Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Tom de Freston, has been named children’s gift of the year by Waterstones, while Paul McCartney’s The Lyrics wins book of 2021
Marcus Rashford to publish children’s novel The Breakfast Club Adventures
The footballer and campaigner is writing story with Alex Falase-Koya, drawing on his own memories of friendships made before starting the school day
Mark Gatiss TV version brings The Amazing Mr Blunden back into print
Classic children’s ghost story, long in demand as a secondhand book, will receive its first reprint for more than 30 years thanks to the star actor – and a dogged book editor
Fiction for older children reviews – forces of nature and gorilla warfare
Two outsiders unite to tackle second world war wrongs, and can Ben Okri’s young heroine save her mother?
John Agard becomes first poet to win BookTrust lifetime achievement award
Reading charity pays tribute to ‘incredible words’ of Afro-Guyanese author, who came to Britain in 1977 where he has become a staple of English lessons
Jerry Pinkney obituary
Award-winning US illustrator whose prolific output of contemporary and traditional tales charmed readers of all ages
Report shows fourfold rise in minority ethnic characters in UK children’s books
The Centre for Literacy in Primary Education welcomes steep increase in representation, but warns there are ‘no quick fixes’
Alex Gino’s children’s novel George retitled Melissa ‘to respect trans heroine’
Writer says they had not realised they should speak up about the title when the book was first published, but it will henceforth take the heroine’s female name
Treacle Walker by Alan Garner review – a phenomenal late fable
A convalescent young boy is visited by a mythical wanderer in a deeply evocative exploration of storytelling and time