Best Books for Kids

Elves are often misunderstood or misrepresented over the Christmas period – Christmas cracker jokes have never been kind to these tiny heroes of the festive season. Here Igreth the Elf, great-great-great-grandson of Ilbereth the Elf, sets the record straight and introduces five children’s books that celebrate the extraordinary contribution these diminutive creatures make to Christmas itself.

Alan Lee, illustrator of such classics as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, talks to Five Books about his favourite stories drawn from myth and fairy tale, what they mean to him, and how important it is for young readers today to experience these ancient stories.

How can parents even begin to explain the refugee crisis to children and young adults? Here, award-winning children’s author Gill Lewis shares her selection of vital primers – from simple picture books to challenging graphic novels – and discusses the role of ‘informed storytelling’ in describing this fraught and fragile human experience

Korky Paul, the illustrator of the hugely popular Winnie the Witch series (among others), talks to Five Books about the pictures and books that have most inspired him.

Whatever your age, play is how we test ideas, define rules and see if they hold. New York-based artist and author Jon Burgerman talks to Five Books about his favourite titles that encourage kids to have fun and be playful, without worry or fear of failure, and simply enjoy the limitless possibilities of imagination.

Elys Dolan, author of Mr Bunny's Chocolate Factory and rising star of the picture book world, on the funniest illustrated books for reading at bedtime—and why children's characters needn't always set good moral examples.

Children learn in many different ways and the best science books for young people reflect that, says science writer Alice Bell. She recommends some of her favourite science books for kids.

Robert Muchamore, bestselling kids’ author, names five titles he thinks will appeal to his "core audience"—“boys of a certain age who’ve grown beyond the Harry Potter thing”.

Children often feel that, for one reason or another, they don't quite fit in. Fortunately, there are many books exploring that very theme. Author Sarah Franklin introduces five wonderful books about 'outsiders.'

Looking for a lovely set of books to give to a child who is just learning to read? Five Books children's editor, Zoe Greaves, picks five of the best published this year.