The Legend of Gilgamesh by Geraldine McCaughrean – review
ExtraEpic: 'It has a strong moral but it may take a while to understand it, which is good because it makes you think'
Father Christmas Comes Up Trumps by Nicholas Allen – review
Nicki and Luke, aged 5: 'Luke was even persuaded to draw a picture of his favourite part of the book which I have never managed before'
Father Christmas in fiction – quiz
As we get ever closer to Father Christmas's busiest night of the year, we're getting more than a little bit excited! But how much do you know about Father Christmas's appearances in the land of fiction? Take our quiz to see if you'll be getting treats or coal in your stocking!
No more Disney: where are the picture books with smart female role models?
Don't despair of Disney heroine-dazzled small girls, there are lots more feisty female role models to capture their imagination in children's fiction
Reader reviews roundup
YOUR REVIEWS: 2013 is dwindling to a close, so it's the perfect time for a bit of time travelling in search of answers to some very Big Questions
We’re Having a Party by Jacqueline Wilson, Anne Fine et al – review
SuperEva: 'the stories are just the right length to have at bedtime!'
Mantu the Elephant by Malachy Doyle and Giuliano Ferri – review
Brave: 'I recommend this book to children who enjoy pictures of baby elephants'
How Beatrix Potter self-published Peter Rabbit
The aspiring children's writer was fed up of receiving rejection letters - so on this day in 1901 she self-published a certain book about a naughty rabbit
Can books teach a child about the dangers of fire?
Book doctor: Stories of heroic firemen can give children the wrong idea about fire, but there are plenty of cautionary tales too
“Does my Goldfish know who I am?”: and Hundreds More Big Questions by Gemma Elwin – review
I Love Books: 'Overall, this book is not necessarily everybody's cup of tea but it is extremely interesting'
I’m a Chicken, Get me out of Here! by Anna Wilson – review
Prince Caspian: 'I really liked this book as it's very funny and I laughed out loud'
How Your Body Works by Judy Hindley – review
Riffat: 'This non-fiction book tells the reader all about the human body in very simple words'
Reviews roundup: your top reads this month
Can you see the wood for the trees? What's been the most-read book on the site this month?
Book of Beasts by Giles Sparrow – review
Ben, Millenium RIOT Readers: 'This book is full of fantastical creatures and facts about them'