One in five children’s books features character of colour – but fiction lags behind
New survey finds steep rise in recent years but presence of minoritised characters is often ‘poorly executed or insignificant’
BookTrust launches Christmas appeal with research showing parents buying fewer presents
Survey shows more than 60% of UK parents will be spending less this year on gifts for children, as charity begins #JustOneBook drive to give disadvantaged youngsters book parcels
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
A pet rhinoceros; a young guide to emotions; an intrepid aviator; and a YA debut to please Buffy fans
Jamie Oliver and Geri Halliwell-Horner become the latest celebrities to announce children’s books
Publishers have faced criticism for producing books considered ‘an easy sell’
David Gadsby obituary
Other lives: Educational publisher who launched a range of books of songs and poetry for children
My Brother Sean illustrator laments lack of Black children’s authors
Errol Lloyd hopes for emergence of new crop of writers, as Newcastle exhibition opens
Just Sayin’ by Malorie Blackman review – against the odds
The former children’s laureate shares her sometimes enraging story of rejection, determination and resilience
Picture books for children – reviews
A magical zebra, fat cats in lockdown and a bus-riding chipmunk star in this month’s round-up
Malorie Blackman: ‘Thank God that’s done!’
The former children’s laureate on the end of the Noughts & Crosses series, why her memoir is the hardest book she’s written, and her soft spot for murder detective games
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile review – lip-smackingly good fun with the CGI singing croc
Shawn Mendes voices the much-loved character of the reptile discovered in a pet shop, but it’s Javier Bardem’s flamboyant showman who steals the film
Lenny Henry on his roaring 60s, writing for kids and facing Lord of the Rings trolls: ‘They sit in their pants, slagging off anything different’
His mother warned him not to overstretch; his partner tells him to be more choosy. But Lenny Henry (actor, comedian, campaigner, author, hobbit) just can’t help himself
Tony Mitton obituary
Other lives: Prolific children’s poet and author who wrote the prize-winning verse narrative Wayland
Canada’s Robert Munsch marathon aims to honour much-loved children’s author
Actor M John Kennedy will read all 75 books in a single day during Toronto’s Nuit Blanche art festival
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new picture books and novels
A tender portrait of adoption; a zebra on the run; an uplifting poetry anthology; an exceptional YA debut; and more
GCHQ publishes book of spies’ brainteasers for children
Agency also invites public to solve colouring-in puzzle as it seeks to engage next generation of agents