David Mackintosh’s top 10 illustration and design tips

The illustrator and author of children's books including Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School shares his tips on how you can improve your own illustrations and designs

Again, again! Which kids’ bedtime books are you happy to reread?

Imogen Russell Williams: The Dora books stretch my accent skills to breaking point, while Thomas the Tank Engine is full of stifling moralism. But not all favourites are destined to be 'lost' down the back of the shelf

How to Train Your Dragon: How to Speak Dragonese by Cressida Cowell – review

Rider: 'Don't watch the film before reading the books. They are immensely better'

How to Train Your Dragon: How to Betray a Dragon’s Hero by Cressida Cowell – review

Mimi123: 'The way the author describes what's happening all the way through the book is amazing!'

Wolf and Dog by Sylvia Vanden Heede – review

Velociraptor: 'The stories weren't really funny, but interesting about the differences between these two creatures and the way that they behave'

My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish: The Sea-Quel by Mo O’ Hara – review

Velociraptor: 'I liked the book very much because it was extremely silly, and it had a mad zombie goldfish that did really cool things'

Your stories: Snow by Purplerubberduckie – poem

It's a winter wonderland in site member Purplerubberduckie's poem

Reader reviews roundup

YOUR REVIEWS: There's nothing deadly about this week's roundup: move over dystopian fiction, fantasy is making a comeback!

Stick Dog Wants a Hot Dog by Tom Watson – review

Velociraptor: 'This was a hilarious book about five dogs whose only thought is on how to get food'

Sam Silver Undercover Pirate: The Sea Monster by Jan Burchett & Sara Volger

RugbyDogMe: 'I really liked this book because it was adventurous and exciting. It had so many big surprises, which really shocked me, and it also scared me a little'