The best children’s and YA books of 2024
From a boy on a snowy midnight adventure to a gothic family caper via a young offender inspired by poetry, our critics pick their favourite titles of the year
‘It can feel quite mysterious’: Alan Garner on writing, folklore and experiencing time slips in the Pennines
At 90, the author reflects on his friendship with Alan Turing, quantum realities and how his grandfather inspired his latest book
The Borrowers review – Arrietty and co’s awfully wordy adventure
With a cumbersome script and no sense of danger or atmosphere, this production loses its way
Well Done, Mummy Penguin review – Antarctic antics warm the heart
This is a sprightly adaptation of Chris Haughton’s popular book, adding circus skills, projections and BSL
The best children’s books of 2024
Get lost in a fox’s quest; plus snowman magic, a wily genie and cookery from around the world
Cillian Murphy as Voldemort? Everything we know about HBO’s Harry Potter TV show
Details are beginning to emerge about the ‘decade-long’ adaptation of JK Rowling’s books – with some starry actors reportedly in negotiations
The best graphic novels of 2024
Arthurian legend, dark family secrets, monsters, princesses and a Russian detective in this year’s picks
How I brought a Jewish wartime refugee’s lost fairytale back to life
Ulrich Boschwitz, who wrote the recently rediscovered thriller The Passenger, left another gift behind him when his life was tragically cut short. I had the honour of reinterpreting it for today’s children
It’s heartbreaking so few children read for pleasure – and sad to know the reasons why
When people face financial pressure and child poverty is so high, it’s hard to prioritise family reading, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
‘Relax your rules, let them pick what they want’: 10 page-turners to get kids reading
A report this month revealed fewer children than ever read for pleasure. From spooky tales to choose-your-own-adventure fantasy epics, here are 10 irresistible titles
Novelist Maggie O’Farrell: ‘Children don’t just need butterflies and rainbows’
The Hamnet author talks about bringing her bestselling Shakespeare novel to the screen, working with Paul Mescal, and how her speech disorder inspired her latest children’s book
‘Significant’ drop in racially minoritised characters in children’s books, report says
Share of children’s books featuring characters who fall into this category fell from 30% in 2022 to 17% in 2023, CLPE survey finds
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