Icarus at the Edge of Time

Royal Festival Hall, LondonBrian Greene's narrative in Icarus at the Edge of Time is neat, with the scientific points well made, and the film images mix fantasy with some realism. Yet it never gels as a concert piece, writes Andrew Clements

The Moomins – a family affair

The Moomins, created in the 1950s by Tove Jansson, are today a much loved global brand, led by Tove's niece, Sophia. She tells Juliet Rix about the mixed blessing of inheriting the family firm

Baby, it’s a classic

Darragh McManus: If classical music is good for babies, the same must be true of literature. Which heavyweight tomes would you nurture children with?

Theresa May halts ‘draconian’ child worker vetting scheme

Child protection measures are disproportionate and will be scaled back to 'common sense' proportions, home secretary says

Can you identify the forgotten book?

Alison Flood: Ever had a book you remembered fondly but couldn't name? Perhaps we can help each other

Children’s fiction heroes – who are yours?

From Pippi Longstocking to William Brown, which characters do you think rank among the greats of children's literature?

When book bans go bad

Richard Adams: A mix-up by the Texas state board of education bans one of America's most beloved childrens' books

Moomins cook up recipe book

Tove Jansson's much-loved characters are set to reappear in a book introducing Finnish cuisine

Australia’s PM writes children’s book about his pets

Kevin Rudd is set to publish Jasper and Abby and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle

Beatrix Potter classics get revamped TV animation deal

Chorion the entertainment outfit behind Noddy and The Very Hungry Caterpillar plans to update storylines for the next generation of young viewers

The Box of Delights is a true Christmas classic

David Barnett: With its dreamy prose and snowy, magical adventures, John Masefield's book deserves to be as much of a Yuletide favourite as A Christmas Carol