AL Kennedy: ‘It is all terrible but that’s when you can’t despair’ The award-winning author on revisiting Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince and the joy of messing about in boats
Book clinic: which books can help with my daughter’s low self-esteem? A selection of books, from Victoria Jamieson’s Roller Girl to Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World, to help build confidence
Morris Gleitzman, beloved children’s author, meets his new editors – children ‘It’s hard to select the stories because all of them are so good,’ says a primary student editor of Early Harvest magazine
The Magic Pudding can still make us laugh even after 100 years A bohemian whose work was often censored, Norman Lindsay’s book of delightfully nasty characters and superb illustrations became a beloved children’s classic
Anthea Bell obituary Translator best known for her witty English rendering of Asterix, the popular French comic book series
Browse a bookshop: Moon Lane Books, south London Bestsellers and recommended reads from the newest member of the Moon Lane family
Matilda, stay young: why seeing Roald Dahl’s hero at 30 is bittersweet Quentin Blake’s new depictions of Matilda highlight how slow progress is in the real world, writes children’s author Cressida Cowell
Dara Ó Briain: ‘Who do I write science books for? The curious’ It’s tricky knowing where to pitch a book for children – either you overshoot or undershoot, says the comedian and author of Secret Science
Fiction for older children reviews – many happy book returns With a host of popular characters back this autumn, picking up from where you left off has rarely been more fun
Want the kids to read more? 15 modern classics for all ages From greedy dogs to shimmering dragons and from dance competitions to grisly murder – these books can inspire a lifetime of reading
Clive King obituary Author of Stig of the Dump, the children’s classic that has never been out of print since it was published in 1963
The best recent fiction for children A magical trio of books, including a Hogwarts for baddies, and a ‘frenemy’ tale of a schoolgirl swimmer
Salley Vickers on Stoke-on-Trent: ‘Thanks to my upbringing, my books have a tenderness for misfits’ The former therapist and novelist on her ‘committed communist’ parents, seeing Paul Robeson sing and her abiding love for the Potteries
The Lifters by Dave Eggers review – a strong first children’s book The plot may not be very original, but Dave Eggers can’t write a boring sentence - kids will love this tale of dark underground forces
Book clinic: what titles might help children deal with grief? The Bookseller’s children’s and YA previews editor selects three titles offering a variety of perspectives on bereavement