Read on Twitter
I’ve been off Twitter for a bit but saw that @GuardianBooks piece and was lured back... what follows is a list of authors you’ll love and authors you should buy for kids you love this holiday season... 
I’ll add to my list daily.
I’ll add to my list daily.
So... first up is @Pamela_Butchart - my daughter’s favourite author of the moment. She writes the FUNNIEST books ever. We have read them all and are sort of annoyed now , Pamela, so please write more.
For picture books try @TomPercivalsays He creates the most beautiful stories that address the real concerns of children. They are sensitive and clever. My favourite of his is... no... can’t choose... Ok... Perfectly Norman 
For middle grade try Katherine Rundell. She is a genius. Her books will be classics. Books you’ll want to read and reread. Buy them all. I’m jealous of her talent. Will she mentor me? Probably not.
For teens try @brixtonbard. Alex is someone I was on a panel with a few years ago and wished I wasn’t because I just wanted to be in the audience and just listen to him. Alex knows and writes pain with nuance and beauty. I love his writing. He’s a clever, brilliant writer/human
Another fabulous novelist is @Marielouisefit1 . Her latest, ON MIDNIGHT BEACH, is a brilliantly written page-turner. Adults, you’ll enjoy it too!
My 8 year old: “Have you recommended PIZAZZ? You should. It’s so good.” She then ran upstairs to get it. And yes, SO very very good, as are all other books by the bold @sophyhenn who simply knows kids. If you haven’t read BAD NANA, get those too! (Loads of WOW illustrations)
If you haven’t met @SitaBrahmachari’s work then get to it! Sita is a massive advocate for human rights and the compassion in her writing reflects this. Sita works regularly with asylum seekers so she isn’t just a Tweeter, she lives the change she wants to see. I love TENDER EARTH
For a fabulously feminist and page-turning twist on the Santa myth, try TINSEL by @Sibealpounder My 8 year old read the proof then insisted we also buy the beautiful glittery hard back. She’s read it 3/4 times now. A perfect gift
Another perfect present (for anyone really) is THE LOST WORDS by @JackieMorrisArt and @RobGMacfarlane. It’s a beautiful piece to have in your home and simply a gorgeous way to spend your time— each page is poster-worthy. Also, it’s swept up a gallon of awards. It’s my go-to gift.
You want to get your reluctant reader to devour books? Try verse. My favourite writer of verse for kids is @kwamealexander — from picture books up to teen. He’s also a publisher, activist and bestselling, multiple award winner. For a gift, buy THE UNDEFEATED.
A debut writer/illustrator this year was @dawncruttenden with a beautiful book, inspired by a true story for little ones, called BEAR SHAPED. I’ve had dinner with Dawn and she’s proper sound. Also funny as hell 
Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
One of my favourite books to read with my daughter is A DOG WITH NICE EARS by Lauren Child. It’s a clever, sweet, warmly funny book that will appeal to all readers, but especially those with a fondness for animals. Lauren’s books for older readers are well worn in our house too.
(As an aside, Lauren was a sagacious UK children’s laureate who advocated for allowing kids to stare into space— adults too. As a result of her influence, I have started to give myself much more time to quietly think and be before beginning a project. It’s been transformative.)
A teen book that flew too far under the radar for me recently was CHESSBOXER by @sahelsteve — a very cool concept (the clue is in the title!) crafted in an unusual and engaging way. It’s fab. I’ve yet to meet a person who doesn’t like Steve, but I’ll keep asking around 
For poetry, give @JosephACoelho a read. He has won the Clippa prize and speaks with pure passion about his work — and the potential of those he’s attempting to enthuse. Try OVERHEARD IN A TOWER BLOCK. But I also admire his non-fiction/ activity book HOW TO WRITE POEMS
One of my favourite illustrators is @PJLynchArt , a former @LaureatenanOg. His work is breathtakingly beautiful and atmospheric. THE HAUNTED LAKE published in Sept and it really is a haunting book— not only illustrated by PJ but also written by him. He’s a genuine artist.
Another writer-illustrator I so admire is @YasmeenMay — her work is so vividly alive and modern and her books can be read over and over. For very small ones try TIME FOR BED FRED — a favourite in our house for years.
