“I hope to find every opportunity to be a spokesperson and advocate for children’s books and reading.” Julia Donaldson, the new Children’s Laureate

“For that kind of money, I would demand a team of live-in, round-the-clock tutors, ready to fill me in about Renaissance art or logical positivism at the snap of a finger. I would also expect them to iron my socks and polish my boots.” Terry Eagleton on plans for the New College of the Humanities in London - a private institution which will charge students tuition fees of pound;18,000 per year.