Children's books are written and bought by adults. The writer must somehow smuggle the goods to the true audience of children past an intervening reception committee of grown ups. The trick is to get them involved on the way. John Rowe Townsend is the author of the definitive history of Children's Literature Written For Children. Jill Paton-Walsh has won the Whitbread Prize, Smarties Award and Universe Prizes for her children's books. Her latest is Grace.