Do classic children’s books give us too rosy a view of childhood?

Enid Blyton and Arthur Ransome may portray cosier times for children, but more recent reads are redressing the balance

Om Shanti, Babe by Helen Limon – review

Annabel;): 'I would have finished it sooner as I couldn't put it down'

A Monster Helping of Horrd Henry by Francesca Simon – review

The LlamaMe: I think all of it is a really good story, it was just so brilliant I could explode!

Reader reviews roundup

A dangerous apocalyptic disaster, ghoulish secrets and a mystery in Ancient Rome intrigued our readers this week!

Polly Dunbar’s top 10 books that would make great puppet shows

From Elmer to Dr Seuss, the children's puppeteer picks the stories she'd most like to adapt

Are there picture books that make the dark less scary?

Book doctor: The dark can be frightening, but picture books such as Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? are designed to put fears to bed

Comet in Moominland by Tove Jansson – review

TheoWolfTiger 'It has a very good plot, characters with depth and even a slightly philosophical view on things!'

Reader reviews roundup

It's that time of the week again! In this instalment, readers focused on complicated issues of grief, mystery and society. What will you find to read?

Sarah Moore Fitzgerald’s top 10 books featuring grandparents

From Charlie's Grandpa Joe to Heidi's grump of a gramp, grandparents are as loved in children's fiction as in real life. Sarah Moore Fitzgerald picks her favourites

The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen – watch the trailer

Lemony Snicket, author of A Series of Unfortunate Events, has written a picture book. Not only that, he's got Jon Klassen, who drew This Is Not My Hat, to illustrate it, and Neil Gaiman to read it. We think that's quite cool. Here's the trailer - what do you think?