How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant by Ellen Caldecott – review
Lilybelle: 'It was sad, it was funny and it was very exciting'
My Brother’s Famous Bottom by Jeremy Strong – review
Lilybelle: 'I am definitely going to read other books from the same collection'
Wanted: young readers
The Guardian launches a new adult-free books website for children
A children’s book club online
As the Guardian launches a children-only reading website, books editor Claire Armitstead writes about the importance of older children reading to their smaller brothers and sisters
Martin Amis: Only brain injury could make me write for children
Children's authors have expressed anger over 'insult' to their work on BBC programme
Join the Campaign for Fun!
On what is officially the most miserable day of the year, it's a very good time to sign up to a drive to make children's reading fun again
Ricky Gervais to voice Mole in The Wind in the Willows adaptation
'I had Ricky in mind for this role from the inception of the project,' says director behind new take on Kenneth Grahame's classic
Elisabeth Beresford obituary
Prolific writer who enjoyed her greatest success with the recycling Wombles
Why is this government making it even harder for children to read?
Catherine Johnson: Politicians claim to be saddened by children's lack of literacy, and yet they are cutting the book gifting scheme
This government has set its face against reading
Michael Rosen: The withdrawal of funding from Booktrust's free books programmes recklessly ignores the all-round educational benefits of books
Season’s readings: Stick Man by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
Paul Laity: The team whose mesmeric storytelling powers leave children begging for endless rehearsals finds room for Santa. Read and repeat. And repeat
Season’s readings: The Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore
Xan Brooks: Clement C Moore's 19th-century verse - alongside Grandma Moses' idiosyncratic illustrations - continue to cast a Christmassy spell
Season’s readings: The Box of Delights by John Masefield
Alison Flood: This magical adventure, with wonderfully evocative seasonal descriptions, is hard to beat as a festive read.
Picture books for young children – reviews
Jeannie Baker's dual-language Mirror celebrates what matters most at Christmas, while Lauren Child's Slightly Invisible is the author at her playful best, says Kate Kellaway
Season’s readings: Babar and Father Christmas by Jean de Brunhoff
Richard Lea: The antic details of the King of the Elephants' quest for Santa are wonderfully endearing