Longlist released for 2013 Guardian children’s fiction prize

Richard Lynch-Smith This year's selection is set to present a challenge for the judges, with books from John Green, Sally Gardner and Rebecca Stead all in contention

Fawn by Margi McAllister – review

Sylvanians: 'It is a sad book where lots of sad things happen but there are lots of hopeful moments too'

My Hamster Is An Astronaut by Dave Lowe – review

Dragonflame 'Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo boring!'

The Book Bunch – group review selection

BellaB 'You must read to the end - this is where a dramatic twist lies asleep and suddenly pops up and says 'hello'!'

What books for toddlers can match the allure of Peppa Pig?

At the heart of Peppa Pig is reassuring familiar experiences – and books can offer these captivating family moments too

Reader reviews roundup

It's that time of the week again! Invisibility spells, play scripts and evil Librarians are debated in this week's roundup

Wendy Quill Is A Crocodile’s Bottom by Wendy Meddour – review

Dragonflame 'I loved Kevin the Rat causing chaos and think that the pictures throughout the book are funny - I enjoyed the book'

Life without me: stories about what goes on when a child is elsewhere

Children are understandably curious about how life goes in their absence – and there are some great, reassuring books on the subject

Zoom, Rocket, Zoom! By Margaret Mayo – review

Marzena and Dominic: A very nice and informative book

Moon Forest by Patricia MacCarthy – review

Marzena and Dominic: 'The book has some very expressive and fairly dramatic illustrations'

Two Nests by Laurence Anholt and Jim Coplestone – review

Marzena and Dominic: 'This is an interesting take on the difficult issue of separation and divorce but deals with it well'

I’m Dougal Trump – Where’s my Tarantula By D. Trump- review

Biteso: 'It's humour-filled and quite original.'

Gwyneth Rees’s top 10 books about siblings

From naughty little sisters and Charlie and Lola to the Bennet sisters and the Railway Children, Gwyneth Rees chooses her favourite fictional depictions of sibling love and loyalty