Model Sophie Dahl is expecting a baby with her musician husband Jamie Cullum, a spokesman for the couple confirmed.

A new biography of Roald Dahl throws light on the private life of one of our best-loved writers. But why are so many children's authors such damaged human beings?

Patricia Neal's career started on a high and she won an Oscar for Hud. Later, despite being buffeted by tragedies, including failed love affairs, the death of a young daughter, a nervous breakdown and a series of strokes, she repeatedly returned to the screen – and set up a world-class facility for the care of stroke victims

An affair with Gary Cooper and an abortion; a 30-year marriage to Roald Dahl culminating in the author's two-timing with her friend; three strokes, a three-week coma and enough chutzpah to compete with any of the malcontent men sharing her on- and off-screen lives. If anything epitomised the orbit of the actress Patricia Neal, who has died aged 84, it was that her real existence matched anything she performed in front of the camera.

It's August, school's out – but the sun might not be. There's a lot to see and do, but arts for children needn't be childish. Alice Jones and Miranda Kiek pick the best fare for the younger culture vulture

I'm worried that I might be racist. I've tried my best to get along with them, accept their cultural ways and live and let live, but I just can't. I cannot abide being on holiday near other Brits.

To celebrate 70 years of Puffin books the publisher has released a list of its 70 favourite children’s titles.

Gender Politics

Female Tory candidates standing for the first time in this election have made it pretty clear they don't want to be called "Cameron's Cuties".

An unlikely juxtaposition of proposed industrial action this week is giving the nation pause for thought. Four new strike threats from workers at British Airways, British Gas, the British Civil Service and the shambles formerly known as British Rail have given rise to a phenomenon that is already being referred to, feebly, as the Spring of Discontent. (It's like the Winter of Discontent, only warmer and tidier, with daffodils instead of refuse in the streets.) This most un-British state of affairs is becoming embarrassing.

Costumes and hairpieces are no substitute for character

With more goals per game than Wayne Rooney, England's tall guy has a good claim on a starting place at the World Cup. The former Spurs YTS boy tells Sam Wallace why, at 29, his time has come

With the industry in a pickle, Paddington Bear has been enlisted as the face of the fruit preserve

Wes Anderson, like precocious contemporary Spike Jonze, has never equalled his delightfully droll early work.