Imogen Carter

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

Letters between Van Gogh and his brother Theo inspire a delightful biography. Plus, new releases from big-hitters Oliver Jeffers and David Litchfield

From the tale of a dog taking a much-needed beach break to a fact-filled dive into the monsters of the deep – and an ode to the skies above

Bashful cats and lonely ponies stalk the pages of this month’s choices

A fantastical celebration of dim sum, Tim Hopgood’s update of a 19th-century poem and a feline sleuth in a hoodie tracks down a missing bird

From a bear who stockpiles dreams to a sisterhood of knights via a tiger sea captain, our critics pick their favourite titles for children and young adults

Benji Davies returns with more coastal charms, lonely animals find acceptance – plus Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s tale about a toddler

A joyful introduction to the power of art, plus doggy-popping delights and a Julia Donaldson jaunt

Rose Tremain and JJ Bola become the latest novelists to turn their hands to writing for young children with tales about a magical metal bird and a boy overcoming his anger

Insects and entomologists inspire two creepy-crawly tales, and a polar bear gets lost in the big smoke