Fiction for older children review – wayward wizards and a war of the worlds
History and the mysteries of the human heart take centre stage in this month’s best tales
Reading my son bedtime stories has become a real page-turner
The boy has learned to love the rhythm and pace of a book like The Gruffalo. By Séamas O’Reilly
Children’s books eight times as likely to feature animal main characters as BAME people
According to UK study, just 5% of children’s books have black, Asian or minority ethnic protagonists – a small improvement from 1% in 2017
Hugh Laurie to star as Maurice, Terry Pratchett’s streetwise tomcat
Actor will head all-star cast for animated version of the beloved author’s novel for children The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
Solitude, sunshine and sanctuary in The Secret Garden
From its interrogation of the ways illness changes and defines us to the tranquility found in nature, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s book is a story for our times
Rethinking fairytales as feminist fables is rescuing them, not ruining them
A new series of rejigged tales gets closer to the spirit of these stories than the versions we’re force-fed, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels
The last white rhino, a stolen inheritance, terrifying sea journeys and some ballet dancing bunnies me....
Gender Swapped Fairy Tales review – ‘Handsome and the Beast’ and the ugly brothers
Karrie Fransman and Jonathan Plackett explore gender bias in these classic tales with a twist
Jill Paton Walsh obituary
Children’s author who turned to writing for adults and was shortlisted for the Booker prize in 1994 for Knowledge of Angels
Rick Riordan: ‘I feel very protective of my fans. I am aware of my responsibility to make them feel safe’
The author talks about terrible Hollywood adaptations, writing LGBTQ characters for his passionate fans, and saying goodbye to Percy Jackson
‘She left a strong legacy’: children’s book tells story of Daphne Caruana Galizia
Book skips from journalist’s battles against corruption to those who took up her cause after her murder
Free school meals: 200 children’s authors condemn government
Shirley Hughes and Philip Pullman among signatories of letter decrying lack of provision
Chris Hoy: ‘I had no natural ability as a cyclist!’
The Olympic hero has written Be Amazing, an inspirational book for children that reveals how they too can be champions, with help from Stoic philosophy, sports psychology – and Beyoncé
Picture books for children – reviews
Three bears have a terrible night’s sleep, a pug has a pet human, and a veggie patch goes raving
Picturebook legend Oliver Jeffers: ‘I’ve got my wife’s bite marks tattooed on my finger’
His beguiling, beautifully drawn children’s books have made him a bedtime colossus. Does the Belfast writer’s latest, which features one of his favourite tattoos, contain a dig at Trump?