Children's books: 8-12 years
The best children’s and YA books of 2024
From a boy on a snowy midnight adventure to a gothic family caper via a young offender inspired by poetry, our critics pick their favourite titles of the year
Imogen Carter, Kitty Empireand Fiona Noble
15, Dec, 2024 @7:00 AM
The Guardian view on Christmas shows: they are fairy tales for our times
From Ballet Shoes to Wicked, stories of female empowerment and friendship are triumphing on stage and screen
Editorial
13, Dec, 2024 @6:00 PM
Australian Christmas kids’ gift guide 2024: 60 great ideas for babies, toddlers, kids and tweens
Our discerning writers and editors have searched high and low for the best (and budget-conscious) children’s Christmas presents for this holiday season
Shannon Wong-Nizic, Sarah Ayoub, Alyx Gorman and Rebecca Lowrey Boyd
08, Dec, 2024 @10:57 PM
Cillian Murphy as Voldemort? Everything we know about HBO’s Harry Potter TV show
Details are beginning to emerge about the ‘decade-long’ adaptation of JK Rowling’s books – with some starry actors reportedly in negotiations
Dee Jefferson
06, Dec, 2024 @5:54 AM
These picture books make the perfect gifts – for adults (and their inner children)
As grown-ups increasingly embrace the emotional power and visual delights of picture books, here is a list of recommendations to suit every person and occasion
Angie Schiavone
03, Dec, 2024 @2:00 PM
‘Relax your rules, let them pick what they want’: 10 page-turners to get kids reading
A report this month revealed fewer children than ever read for pleasure. From spooky tales to choose-your-own-adventure fantasy epics, here are 10 irresistible titles
Sharna Jackson
30, Nov, 2024 @9:00 AM
There is a moral in Jamie Oliver’s story of stereotypical folk, just not one he intended | Catherine Bennett
In offending Australia’s First Nations people, the chef is at least offering a cautionary tale for other celebrity authors
Catherine Bennett
17, Nov, 2024 @6:30 AM
Celebrities need to stop writing children’s books: they’re woefully underqualified | Arwa Mahdawi
As Jamie Oliver has found out to his cost, write what you know or you could end up with a flop and an international PR disaster, says Arwa Mahdawi
Arwa Mahdawi
13, Nov, 2024 @11:00 AM
We all have life stories, we just need to learn how to tell them | Nova Weetman
I’ve spent two months teaching memoir writing to students in years 3 to 6. They just wade right in
Nova Weetman
12, Nov, 2024 @2:00 PM
Children’s and teens roundup – the best new chapter books
From young werewolves’ adventures with vampires to hard-up funeral crashers and the late Jeremy Strong’s wonderful final tale
Kitty Empire
15, Oct, 2024 @8:00 AM
Alexander Armstrong and Ben Miller look back: ‘We were really cross with each other, slamming the door and saying: That’s it’
The comedy double act on playing it cool, bombing at Edinburgh, and how their friendship endured after they branched out on their own
Harriet Gibsone
28, Sep, 2024 @11:00 AM
Picture books for children – reviews
Letters between Van Gogh and his brother Theo inspire a delightful biography. Plus, new releases from big-hitters Oliver Jeffers and David Litchfield
Imogen Carter
17, Sep, 2024 @8:00 AM
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