From the Gruffalo to Dog Man: how to put children’s classics on the stage
With Dog Man making his London theatre debut next summer, theatre makers explain how to make a successful jump from page to stage
Alice: Return to Wonderland review – a wonderfully eccentric new rabbit hole to go down
Alice is a boring grownup at the start of this intelligent and catchy Christmas musical – then she’s whisked off to Wonderland again
Mr Men and Little Miss feature film in the works from Paddington producers
David Heyman has joined the French media company StudioCanal with plans to bring one of the bestselling children’s book series of all time to the screen
Dog Man: The Musical, based on Dav Pilkey’s bestsellers, to be staged in London
Inspired by the series of irreverent comic books by the Captain Underpants creator, the show will run at the Southbank Centre in 2026
How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? review – have yourself a merry little rumpus
This exuberant adaptation of Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen’s picture book moves with the rhythm of a child’s racing imagination
The best children’s books of 2025
A new read-aloud favourite, doughnuts with world-conquering ambitions, high fantasy from Katherine Rundell, and more
Paddington musical in the West End is practically paw-fect, say theatre critics
Michael Bond’s beloved bear is the star of an eagerly anticipated new show at the Savoy theatre in London. Here is what the critics thought
Paddington: The Musical review – they’ve looked after this bear quite splendiferously
State-of-the-art animatronics, imaginative staging, fabulous performances and some marvellous songs about marmalade make for an evening that will fill you with joy and melt your heart
Nominate your favourite Australian children’s picture book of all time
A good picture book is pure magic – and Australia has produced some of the best. Nominate your favourite here
The Firework-Maker’s Daughter review – Philip Pullman’s fairytale is explosive fun
This spellbinding adaptation uses a bulging dramatic toolbox of clever effects and manages to be both epic and intimate
Children and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
The healing power of gardens; celebrating an abolitionist; hope in the toughest times; a gladiator romantasy and more
The Children’s Booker prize will tell kids that they matter
As the number of children reading for pleasure hits a record low, the new award highlights its importance for wellbeing, and will give away thousands of books
Shirley Abicair obituary
Australian singer and musician who became a regular on children’s TV programmes in the UK in the 1950s and 60s
New Mr Poirot and Little Miss Marple books to be published
Agatha Christie’s popular detectives feature in new Mr Men and Little Miss stories – Mischief on the Nile and Muddle at the Vicarage
Blue plaque to be unveiled at home of Thomas the Tank Engine creator
Ceremony marks 80 years since release of the Rev W Awdry’s first book and coincides with railway bicentenary