The best children’s books of 2022
From a four-legged celebration of the seasons to a fiery tale of women who turn into dragons, our critics look back over the year and pick their favourite titles for children and young adults
Best children’s and YA books of 2022
Journeys through music, history, magic and more, plus the standout books for young adults
‘At first she didn’t like my drawings’: Axel Scheffler and Julia Donaldson on three decades of collaboration
In a rare joint interview, the creators of The Gruffalo talk about baddies, Brexit – and the bumpy beginning to their partnership
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter books
Estranged friends navigate a sleeping world, a boy discovers he is part-alien, and the hunt for a missing mother touches lightly on mental health issues
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter books
Marcus Rashford channels Scooby-Doo, more girls solve mysteries, while two historical young Black Britons join forces in theatreland
Fiction for older children reviews – magic and morality, beyond Marvel
Norse gods get a fresh incarnation from Louie Stowell and the multiverse offers up a moral dilemma in Ross Welford’s latest
Jan Pieńkowski obituary
Illustrator and creator of the Meg and Mog children’s books, who also used pop-up and paper cut-outs to thrilling effect
‘Nothing short of revelatory’: the 10 best CBeebies’ Bedtime Stories – ranked
Reese Witherspoon is about to become the latest A-lister to read a kids’ book at bedtime, but she’s got stiff competition. From Tom Hardy to Dolly Parton, here’s who to beat
Australia Christmas gift guide 2021: 160 good gift ideas, including last-minute options
From presents that give back to edible treats, Guardian Australia and a team of guest editors select the best gifts and shopping options to please everyone from kids to chronic grumps this Christmas
Marcus Rashford: ‘My life was far from a fairytale’
The England footballer, author and poverty campaigner on instilling self-belief in pupils at his old school, his favourite titles of 2021, and his hopes for his book club
Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels
Foxes on the run; a feathered detective; the rescue of the Titanic; plus the best new YA novels
Fiction and nonfiction for older children – reviews
The latest instalment of a dystopian saga thrills and Stormzy’s #Merky imprint champions national and unsung stars
Children’s books roundup – the best new picture books and novels
A zombie thriller, a flooded world, poetry and a very worried pig … plus the best new YA novels
Fiction for older children – reviews
Supernatural forces that enchant a Nigerian village, a life-saving boy called Lonny and a self-help title from Marcus Rashford that hits the spot
My kids won’t even pick up a book – and it is definitely all my fault
Reading has brought me endless joy, but I have accidentally crushed my children’s enthusiasm. It is a terrible indictment