What are the best colouring and activity books for kids?
From Johanna Basford’s thrilling colouring quests to the Animalium activity book, the Book Doctor has entertaining books to keep children amused on long journeys and holidays!
My inspiration: Pamela Butchart on Louise Rennison
When Pamela Butchart read Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging, a surge of carefully forgotten memories came flooding back and – after digging out her own incredibly embarrassing and revealing teenage letters and diaries – she decided to write a book about starting secondary school herself
Four weeks left to enter the Foyle young poets of the year award 2015
Newsflash: The prestigious poetry competition for 11-17 year-olds closes for entries on 31 July 2015. Don’t miss your chance to enter!
What are you reading this summer? Authors and teens share their reading list
Looking for ideas for your summer reading? Authors including James Dawson, Holly Smale and Rae Earl plus teen site members share what’s on their To Be Read pile – from cool classics to the year’s hottest reads
What are the best autobiographies for children and teenagers?
From the inspiring story of Malala Yousafzai to Bear Grylls’ tale of mud, sweat and tears, the book doctor recommends the best real life stories
Shirley Hughes: I hope books survive, they are wonderful pieces of technology
Shirley Hughes, winner of the inaugural Book Trust lifetime achievement award, answers our questions about Dogger, Alfie and how come she waited until she was over 80 years old to write her first novel. We also got to meet the real Dogger
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke – review
Beckycook4648: ‘If I were to sum this book up in three words it would be amazing, magical and adventure-packed’
Roald Dahl’s The Twits: How do you make a book that smells?
A special edition of Roald Dahl’s The Twits is coming out which has a cover that you can customise with revolting scratch ‘n’ sniff stickers! How do they make it smell so icky? Find out here… Plus, win one of five copies we’re giving away!
What to read after Harry Potter
Still mourning the end of the Harry Potter series? So are we. Here are The Book Addicted Girl’s top recommended books for people who love Harry Potter and are in need of their next magic fix!
Carnegie and Kate Greenaway medals: Tanya Landman and William Grill win UK’s oldest children’s book awards
Tanya Landman’s historical novel Buffalo Soldier and William Grill’s illustrated non-fiction book Shackleton’s Journey scoop fiction and illustration prizes
How to swap games consoles for books (and get kids reading)
Alex Scarrow’s son was a gamer not a reader, so that’s why he decided to use every trick he learned as a games designer to write addictive books that keep readers coming back for ‘just one more go’
My inspiration: Martin Brown on political cartoonists
The Horrible Histories illustrator Martin Brown didn’t get there from children’s book illustrations, he came from cartoons – and maybe that’s why the Horrible Histories turned out the way they did!
How well do you know the new children’s laureate, Chris Riddell?
Do you know your Goth Girl from your Bandabear? Take our fiendish quiz to find out!
Joe Abercrombie’s top 10 Viking stories
George RR Martin said that Joe Abercrombie’s Shattered Sea trilogy “grabbed me and refused to let go”. Here the fantasy author picks his favourite Viking tales, from Beowulf to Blood Feud
Gary Northfield’s top 10 fun Roman facts
Did you know that without the Romans we wouldn’t have cats in Britain? Just think - no more YouTube cute kitten videos! But...they also introduced cabbage. Find out more fun facts about the Romans from Julius Zebra author Gary Northfield