Shirley Hughes obituary
Prolific author and illustrator whose affectionate image of childhood has been instantly recognisable for more than 60 years
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
Picture books for children – reviews
A twist on counting, a mysterious glass marble and a subway train journey through Seoul inspire ways of looking at the world
‘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
‘I feel so lucky’: in conversation with the late, beloved Jill Murphy
During one of her final interviews the author of the Worst Witch and the Large Family talked about her life, illness and true ‘greatest achievement’
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
The Smartest Giant in Town review – a very tall tale
Nutty animals and witty puppetry liven up this at times bleak version of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book
Teaching consent to toddlers: ‘I’m happy we’re starting to have this conversation’
New Australian kids’ books are helping parents and carers introduce children to the concept of boundaries and bodily autonomy
Eric Carle obituary
Illustrator and author of classic children’s books including The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
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
Meghan’s first book for children explores ‘bond between father and son’
Duchess of Sussex draws on her life with Prince Harry and son Archie in picture book debut The Bench, to be published next month
Forget about irony, witty writing is all it takes to capture a child’s imagination
Timeless books by authors such as Beverly Cleary bring far more joy than those that give a knowing wink to parents, says Guardian columnist Emma Brockes