Imogen Russell Williams' children's library
Young Adult fiction’s counterfactual attraction to Nazi Germany
Extreme stories loom large in this genre, and the ‘biggest bad’ of the Third Reich holds a powerful fascination for many YA authors – and teen readers
Save dragons, save books! Three authors give tips on children's writing
Children’s author Philip Ardagh, Cressida Cowell and Laura Dockrill on how to write for an audience with short attention spans, ‘spongier’ brains and parents who demand morals over laughs
Politics in picture books: big questions for the smallest readers
For younger minds interested in how the world works, there are a number of erudite authors who make subjects like migration, war and equality accessible
It's a fact – children's non-fiction is worth discovering
For some young readers, real-world stuff – science, history, nature and more – is far more appealing than made-up stories. Please share your finds
Girls behaving badly – the thrilling rise of the YA antiheroine
They’ve been too nice for too long, but now mean, monstrous and even murderous girls are revitalising young adult fiction
Picture books that draw the line against pink stereotypes of girls
Don’t despair at the tide of cultural glitter swamping young girls today. There are still writers producing funky female characters who don’t get their knickers in a twist at the prospect of a difficult challenge
Recipes for the perfect picture-book blends of writer and illustrator
With the right personal alchemy, a writer and illustrator working together can produce storytelling gold
Wimpy Kid and the odd charms of children’s misfit lit
Imogen Russell Williams: Tales of the misadventures of awkward boys, led by Jeff Kinney’s hapless hero, have an admirable power to win over reluctant readers
Just-picture books don’t need 1,000 words to be worthwhile
Imogen Russell Williams: Stories told with images alone are particularly compelling for pre-literate children, and fire their imaginations for the lettered tales ahead
Personalised books for children shouldn’t have a bad name
I used to think that inserting a particular child’s name into a story was missing the point of imaginative stories. Reader, I was wrong
Future bright for children’s books as industry names plot next chapter
Imogen Russell Williams: A mood of optimism marked the Bookseller Children’s Conference, with sales up 10% and editors pronouncing themselves keen to experiment and push the digital envelope
What are YA books? And who is reading them?
Imogen Russell Williams: Which books count as Young Adult, and which as teen or New Adult, is ambiguous – and their readership is equally hard to define
Children's picture and chapter books: titles that bridge the gap
Imogen Russell Williams: When picture books seem 'too babyish' these longer illustrated books can help children move up to the next level
Again, again! Which kids' bedtime books are you happy to reread?
Imogen Russell Williams: The Dora books stretch my accent skills to breaking point, while Thomas the Tank Engine is full of stifling moralism. But not all favourites are destined to be 'lost' down the back of the shelf
Uncle the elephant joins brave march of children's classics back into print
Imogen Russell Williams: JP Martin's much-loved but unavailable stories have been recovered for the rest of us by one courageous reader
Edith Nesbit's enduring magic
Earlier generations of children loved Edith Nesbit. So did I, and the ordinarily extraordinary stories still bewitch
Little women: children's literature's stand-in parents
Imogen Russell Williams: Stories of young protagonists who care for kid siblings due to catastrophe or neglect can be rewarding but challenging reads
Watershed ages in a reader's life
Imogen Russell Williams: My experience suggests decisive shifts in the kinds of books you consume as you get older. Do these turning points match yours?
Children's literature's best imaginary friends
Not getting on too well with school, I found some of my most intimate allies in the pages of Enid Blyton, Diana Wynne Jones and others. How about you?
The real appeal of fantastic food in children's books
Imogen Russell Williams: Meadowcream, butterbeer, Pop Biscuits: the great thing about such dream feasts is that it's not hard to imagine eating them
About 32 results for Imogen Russell Williams' children's library 
