Alison Lester: ‘This is what I want to do. I want to be in charge of the whole thing’
The prolific children’s book author walks along her magic beach and reflects on the moment she had her life’s calling
Book week costume ideas: the coolest (and easiest) characters for 2023, according to booksellers
From print-out character masks to ‘the most delightful witch’, literature aficionados share their suggestions for the Children’s Book Week costume parade
‘I wanted to be No 1. But a certain JK Rowling came along’: Jacqueline Wilson on rivalry, censorship – and love
Raised by a ‘scary’ father and a ‘terrible snob’ of a mother, the Tracy Beaker author has always understood the loneliness that marks so many young lives. But at 77, she’s never been happier
Christine Baker obituary
Editor with the Paris-based publisher Gallimard Jeunesse who was determined to give British children’s books a presence in France
Gerald Rose obituary
Children’s illustrator whose picture books with his wife, Elizabeth, and authors such as Ted Hughes, are enjoyed worldwide
Picture books for children – reviews
Rose Tremain and JJ Bola become the latest novelists to turn their hands to writing for young children with tales about a magical metal bird and a boy overcoming his anger
Dogger to the rescue: how my mother’s books brought joy to the children of Ukraine
After the death last year of children’s author Shirley Hughes, her son took hundreds of her books, including the award-winning Dogger, to libraries in Ukraine
Mary Rayner obituary
Children’s author who devised the adventures of the Pig family and illustrated stories including Dick King-Smith’s The Sheep-Pig
The Guardian view on children’s reading: a gift that should be for all
Editorial: With stressed families less likely to have time and money to spare for books, young readers are losing out. It’s time to boost school libraries
Graham Oakley obituary
Illustrator and author widely admired for The Church Mice, his series of children’s picture books
Steer clear of ‘mediocre writing’ by celebrities for Christmas, authors plead
Books by TV personalities and other high-profile figures will top bestseller lists, but critics say professionals lose out
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
‘I love writing for children’: Emma Thompson and Axel Scheffler on their amazing shaggy dog story
The Oscar-winning actor and the Gruffalo illustrator have teamed up to create a tale about a scruffy hound. They discuss corgis, comic books and how their friendship began
Best children’s and YA books of 2022
Journeys through music, history, magic and more, plus the standout books for young adults
The Guardian view on Goodnight Moon: a classic for a reason
Editorial: Margaret Wise Brown made a point of listening to children, and trying to see the world as they saw it. She has been rewarded by decades of loyalty