Why are trains in books still chuff chuffing?
'Even when children's books are set in the real world, many illustrators adopt "timeless" and familiar images. The result for some is a happy and comforting sense of nostalgia'
When Betsy came to Babysit by Elizabeth Dale and Zoe Waring – review
Reba and Amatullah: 'The illustrations are so cute that you want to pinch the two cheeky monkeys'
Elephant Pants by Smriti Prasadam-Halls – review
Damyanti and Bryn: 'A feast of bright colours and funny rhymes.'
Penguin by Polly Dunbar
Jennifer, Millie and Bebe: 'I just didn't get it... But you know what, I didn't need to.'
Be the first to see the new Wimpy Kid film! – competition
Are you a huge Wimpy Kid fan? Here's your chance to win tickets to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days a whole 10 days before the rest of the UK!
Is the Six Book Challenge a good thing?
'The evidence shows that children are reading more, that they are enjoying what they read and that they are joining the library'
The Biggest Kiss by Joanna Walsh – review
Jennifer, Minnie and Bebe: 'It was just ok.'
A Children’s Treasury of Milligan by Spike Milligan – review
Jennifer and Minnie: 'Minnie loves them, I love them, they are just plain silly and so well written'
My Big Cats Journal by Steve Bloom – review
Tom, Emma and Daisy, 5: 'This very accessible book captured Daisy's imagination.'
The Goblin and the Girl by Neil Irani – review
Tom, Emma, Daisy, and Olive: 'In our opinion, the clever concept behind this book is far too abstract for the age of child it targets.'
Children’s summer reading
As part of the Summer Reading Challenge to read six books over the holidays, top children's writers and children who did the challenge last year recommend their favourites
The Worst Princess by Anna Kemp – review
Tom, Emma, Daisy, and Olive: 'In short, a must for any family bored of the norm."
The Buttons Family series: New Shoes and Going to the Doctor by Vivian French – review
Jennifer and Minnie, aged 1: 'Quite frankly these books just seemed pointless.'
Fancy Dress Farmyard by Nick Sharratt – review
Catherine and Stanley: 'This is a really charming book which gets young readers engaged.'