Books: children & YA

London Unlocked is the first in a new series of funny and irreverent guide books for children aged seven to 11 published by Factfinder Guides. Parenting Without Tears has 11 copies to be won.

Workman Publishing's My Silly Body Book has proved delightfully entertaining – and educational – for Toby, wrties Alex Bell.

Billed as "Nancy Drew meets Harry Potter", Bruno Grigoletti's first novel The Soul Patrol is reviewed by 11 year-old Tabitha Minett.

Here Come The Monies is the first in a series of adventures for The Monies family and was well received when read to our four and a half year old tester by Olivia Coates.

The Blue Peter awards have been recognising and celebrating the best authors, the most creative illustrators and the greatest reads for children since 2000.
 

Sian Minett and her son James seek the answer to the question: Why Does Ear Wax Taste So Gross? posed in Mitchell Symons' entertaining – and informative! – book.

Everyone has one - so find out how your body works with DK's Open Me Up.

From Aboriginal to abstract art, from Michelangelo to Matisse, the DK Children's Book of Art will inspire your young Picassos.

For trivia fans and devotees of pub quizzes as well as parents and older children, Ask Me Anything - every FACT you ever wanted to know is a must for your bookshelves.

The Booktrust Teenage Prize, launched in 2003 to recognise and celebrate the best contemporary writing for teenagers. today announced the 2009 winner: Neil Gaiman author of The Graveyard Book.

A winner of the Writers' and Artists' New Novel competition and shortlisted  for the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize, Oliver Eade's debut children's story, Moon Rabbit,  is a magical introduction to Chinese culture and legends.

Michael Rosen today announced the winners of the 2009 Roald Dahl Funny Prize, administered by the Booktrust, at the Unicorn Theatre in London.

Booktrust and Blue Peter are delighted to announce the shortlist for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2010. These enormously popular and influential awards have been recognising and celebrating the best children's authors, the most creative illustrators and the greatest reads for children since 2000. Great Christmas stocking fillers!

Launched today – a collection of favourite poems chosen by celebrities in celebration of 25 years of The Children's Trust. Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy has written the forward to The Walrus and the Carpenter.

According to a report by the European Commission, 62 per cent of Brits can't speak any other language. On European Language Day, Oliva Coates reviews Talk 2 French - one of the BBC's new language courses -  and polishes up her linguistic skills.

The Booktrust Early Years Awards, supported by the national Bookstart programme and their sponsors and the Unwin Charitable Trust, were announced on Wednesday 23 September 2009. These books make great presents.

Diana Harker's latest adventure book takes readers back to a Victorian age when children were seen and not heard. The novelty of having delicious food and living in a well-ordered house soon palls for Jane as she realises that all is not what it seems in the House of Secrets.

Founded in 2008 by Michael Rosen as part of his Children's Laureateship, the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, administered by the Booktrust, is the first prize of its kind - to honour those books that simply make children laugh and comedian David Walliams, best known for his grotesque comedy creations on the BBC series Little Britain, has been shortlisted for his debut book The Boy in the Dress, illustrated by Quentin Blake.