Should schools buy new children’s books or stick with the classics?

There's a balance to be struck between keeping old favourites on classroom shelves and exposing children to new writing. Some books don't age, but there is great new stuff out there, too

Your stories: Nina, the nice witch by Sugar

Sugar: 'Nina is a nice witch. She has twilight-blue eyes and gorgeous, flowing, thick hair. It is midnight-black, and hangs down to her knees'

Pip Street: A Whiskery Mystery by Jo Simmons – review

Emily and Maisy, aged 6: 'Pip Street is a brilliant little book; full of funny bits, slightly creepy bits and great illustrations'

Eleanor’s Eyebrows by Timothy Knapman and David Tazzyman – review

Dragonflame: 'Eleanor says she knows what all the bits of her face are for, but she has no idea what her eyebrows are for'

Get Reading: London’s glittering reading marathon

The children's laureate and scores of authors, actors and celebrities joined forces at the weekend to celebrate reading and books. Site member Patrick joined them in Trafalgar Square and reports back on the day

Steve Backshall: ‘The big predators would run down Usain Bolt without even thinking about it. Your only chance is to stand your ground’

Jon Stapley chats with Steve Backshall, Deadly presenter and author of the Falcon Chronicles series, about reading, big cats and what it's like being stung 100 times by bullet ants

A more affordable way to get kids e-reading

Making e-readers more accessible is a great way of improving child literacy, writes James Bridle

Magic Trix by Sara Grant – review

BellaB - The Book Bunch 'I liked the idea of real girls being secret witches though - I would quite like to try that out for a day or two'

Reader reviews roundup

Robotic teenagers, magical Summoners and a pair of eccentric detectives are discussed in your reviews this week!

Jeremy Strong’s top 10 funniest fictional families

From much-loved favourites by AA Milne, Roald Dahl and Gerald Durrell to modern classics by Lauren Child and Jeff Kinney, Jeremy Strong picks his favourite funny ha ha and funny peculiar families

Ottoline and the Yellow Cat by Chris Riddell – Review

Ronaldo - The Book Bunch 'I like the bear in the story that saves Mr Munroe. The pictures are good especially Mr Munroe'

We’re Going On a Bear Hunt games for your teddy bear’s picnic

Now that the sun has come out, what better time for a teddy bear's picnic? And what could be better fun than We're Going on a Bear Hunt games to play at your picnic! Here are some ideas for outdoors teddy bear games

Making your writing the best it can be: top tips from children’s books editors

The winner of the Branford Boase award is announced tomorrow. It's unusual in that celebrates the role of the editor as well as the writer, with the prize going to both a first-time children's novelist and their editor. Here, all the editors shortlisted for this year's Branford Boase award share their top tips for new writers

Willow Valley: A Seaside Rescue by Tracey Corderoy – review

Prince Caspian: 'I really enjoyed the book because I liked the characters and the adventures they have'

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