‘We think Princess Pearl is a feminist icon’: readers’ favourite Julia Donaldson books

Characters who challenge stereotypes, stories that stimulate little ones’ vocabulary, endless laughter … and moments guaranteed to make any dad cry. Here are your takes on the work of a beloved children’s author

Summer reading: the 50 hottest books to read now

From dazzling debuts to unmissable memoirs, prize-winning novels to page-turning histories … Plus our pick of paperbacks and children’s fiction

The Guardian view on the Gruffalo: a well-timed comeback, wart and all

Editorial: The next challenge for Julia Donaldson’s monster is to get its claws into parents and persuade more of them to read aloud

Beegu review – Alexis Deacon’s mellow yellow alien adventure hits the stage

Rejected by adults, the far-from-home heroine is embraced by cheering children in Debbie Hannan’s comical show

Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels

Sleepy monsters; a wacky broken robot; a search for magical treasures and more

Bestselling Australian Bad Guys author Aaron Blabey signs eight-figure deal for seven new books

First title of series for tweens titled Game of Pets will be fantasy story to debut in 2026

Picture books for children – reviews

Laughter abounds with tales of mini beasts at bedtime, a box filled with babbling babies and an odd-couple comedy from Julia Donaldson

From The Sheep-Pig to His Dark Materials: the best audiobooks for children and teens

As research reveals children want to listen to books rather than read them, here are some of the best audiobooks to enjoy

Magic Beach: how the beloved picture book became a spell-binding animation

Alison Lester’s 90s bestseller now has a big-screen adaptation from the director of The Dry, featuring 10 animated adventures by 10 different artists

Jean Adamson obituary

Children’s author and illustrator best known for the Topsy and Tim books

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

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

Australian Christmas kids’ gift guide 2024: 60 great ideas for babies, toddlers, kids and tweens

Our discerning writers and editors have searched high and low for the best (and budget-conscious) children’s Christmas presents for this holiday season

These picture books make the perfect gifts – for adults (and their inner children)

As grown-ups increasingly embrace the emotional power and visual delights of picture books, here is a list of recommendations to suit every person and occasion