Recent Articles in Books: children & YA

Grids: A Drawing Books for Squares by Jacke Bahbout
Jun 6, 2016

Grids: A Drawing Books for Squares by Jacke Bahbout is reviewed by Arden Viner (aged eight) with a little help from her father, Phil.

Paint by Sticker™ Kids
May 2, 2016

Paint by Sticker™ is a wonderful reinvention of the old painting by numbers many of us remember. Paint by Sticker™ from Workman is perfect for small hands as Harriet demonstrated for Anne Coates.

Storm Child by Sharon Sant
Apr 21, 2016

Author Jack Croxall reviews Sharon Sant's latest YA novel: Storm Child.

DK LEGO Nexo Knights, Ultimate Sticker Book
Mar 11, 2016

Hours of fun ahead with LEGO Nexo Knights, Ultimate Sticker Book, published by DK, writes Daniel Manning.

Smile Cry by Tania McCartney
Mar 10, 2016

Illustrated by Jess Racklyeft, Smile Cry written by Tania McCartney and published by EK Books introduces cyoung children to feelings, reviewed by Laura Chambers.

Beetle Boy by M.G. Leonard
Mar 1, 2016

The first in a trilogy by M.G. Leonard and published by Chicken House, Beetle Boy will enthral young readers and adults alike, writes Anne Coates.

Waterstones Children's Book Prize Shortlists
Feb 11, 2016

Fiction reflecting the concerns and issues of modern day children and teenagers is highlighted in the shortlists for the Waterstones Children’s Prize 2016, announced today, Thursday 11 February. While popular trends in children’s fiction such as fantasy, humour and adventure are all present and correct, it is notable how many authors are turning to reality “in all its shades of light and dark” for their inspiration.

White Lies by Zoë Markham
Jan 22, 2016

Jack Croxall, himself a writer of YA fiction, reviews White Lies by Zoë Markham.

The Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge
Jan 5, 2016

The 2015 Costa Children's Book Award Winner, Frances Hardinge, is the author of The Lie Tree published by Macmillan Children's Books. 

Designing and Creating Dolls' Clothes
Jan 4, 2016

Lots of children will have had dolls for Christmas and may be thinking of new outfits for them. Here Jon Bell reviews two books to guide young designers: I can Make: Dolls' Clothes and Fashion Rebel Outfit Maker both published by Thames & Hudson.

Welcome to the Symphony by Carolyn Sloan
Dec 3, 2015

Illustrated by James Willliamson, Carolyn Sloan's Welcome to the Symphony A Musical Exploration of the Orchestra Using Beethoven's Symphony No 5 introduces children from four to eight years old to the world of classical music. Anne Coates got five and a half-year-old Harriet's reactions.

Quentin Blake's A Christmas Carol
Nov 25, 2015

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is one of the most famous Christmas stories. Here one of the most popular children's illustrators brings the story to life – a perfect partnership for Anne Coates who reviews Quentin Blake's A Christmas Carol.