‘I love writing for children’: Emma Thompson and Axel Scheffler on their amazing shaggy dog story

The Oscar-winning actor and the Gruffalo illustrator have teamed up to create a tale about a scruffy hound. They discuss corgis, comic books and how their friendship began

Best children’s and YA books of 2022

Journeys through music, history, magic and more, plus the standout books for young adults

The Guardian view on Goodnight Moon: a classic for a reason

Editorial: Margaret Wise Brown made a point of listening to children, and trying to see the world as they saw it. She has been rewarded by decades of loyalty

‘At first she didn’t like my drawings’: Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson on three decades of collaboration

In a rare joint interview, the creators of The Gruffalo talk about baddies, Brexit – and the bumpy beginning to their partnership

Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter books

Marcus Rashford channels Scooby-Doo, more girls solve mysteries, while two historical young Black Britons join forces in theatreland

I Want My Hat Back: Jon Klassen classic goes from shoebox-sized puppet show to the stage

Two friends delighted half a million kids with a tiny production in a cardboard box. Now they’re sizing up the much-loved bulbous bear for the Little Angel theatre

Picture books for children – reviews

A journey into space and some serious monkey business portray bedtime in a whole new light, while a tiny dot gives a kindly lesson in understanding emotions

David McKee obituary

Creator of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant and Mr Benn, who wrote and illustrated children’s classics

Shirley Hughes obituary

Prolific author and illustrator whose affectionate image of childhood has been instantly recognisable for more than 60 years

Jan Pieńkowski obituary

Illustrator and creator of the Meg and Mog children’s books, who also used pop-up and paper cut-outs to thrilling effect

Picture books for children – reviews

A twist on counting, a mysterious glass marble and a subway train journey through Seoul inspire ways of looking at the world

‘Nothing short of revelatory’: the 10 best CBeebies’ Bedtime Stories – ranked

Reese Witherspoon is about to become the latest A-lister to read a kids’ book at bedtime, but she’s got stiff competition. From Tom Hardy to Dolly Parton, here’s who to beat

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

Marcus Rashford: ‘My life was far from a fairytale’

The England footballer, author and poverty campaigner on instilling self-belief in pupils at his old school, his favourite titles of 2021, and his hopes for his book club

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

Foxes on the run; a feathered detective; the rescue of the Titanic; plus the best new YA novels