This large-format, brightly illustrated picture book, from an award-winning Finnish illustrator and designer, groups words together on ten single-sided pages, in order that they can be displayed on a wall. These posters help young children to recognize numbers, colours, animals, shapes and seasons, and are complemented by clearly presented question pages that encourage observation and understanding. Age 2+

In this retelling of the famous fairy tale – where a queen tests a princess to see if she is really royal by putting a pea under her mattress – the colourful illustrations add plenty of entertaining detail. Age 3+

In this retelling of the enduring children’s tale, the wolf first appears as a shadow. His not-so-grisly end comes thanks to an avalanche of contents from an overstuffed cupboard. Age 3+

The ugly duckling is rejected by one group of animals after another, until he finds his true place with the swans. Beautifully designed, illustrated and retold, this version of the well-known story will delight young readers. Age 3+

This fun rhyming picture book by former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen presents all sorts of modes of transport, real and imaginary. It is ideal for reading aloud, and Gillian Tyler’s illustrations add plenty of detail to spark young imaginations. Age 2+

Little Bear is scared of the dark all around him. Big Bear brings a lantern, but it’s still too gloomy. Big Bear doesn’t give up, however, until he finds the perfect solution. This comforting story has been a children’s classic since 1988. Age 3+

Hairy MacLary stories have been entertaining pre-school children for over 30 years with their simple humour, rhyming text and an emphasis on adventure and fun. These ten stories include the very first adventure, Hairy McLary from Donaldson’s Dairy along with Hairy MacLary’s Bone, Scattercat, Caterwaul Caper, Rumpus at the Vet, Showbusiness, Sit, Zachary Quack, Hat Tricks and Shoo. Age 2+

In this 30-year-old children’s classic, poorly Jo watches the comings and goings of her friendly urban neighbourhood while she waits for her mum to come home with a surprise. Age 3+

This large-format visual guide contains illustrations of over 250 canine breeds from around the world, with information about the history and qualities of each, as well as famous examples including Queen Victoria’s Pomeranian, Marco, and Barack Obama’s Portuguese Water Dog.

Fred Fox lives in the city, where it’s noisy and smelly. He hears about a place called the Wild, but no one seems to know how to get there. Gradually, through trial and error, he finds his way to a different world. Age 3+

Originally published as Our Old Nursery Rhymes in London in 1911, this collection of 30 perennial favourites was illustrated by the Dutch artist Henriette Willebeek Le Mair (1889–1966). Framed in decorated cartouches, and in delicate, muted colours, her watercolours feature carefully observed children at play (often drawn from life, as Henriette ran a private nursery), set in landscapes or interiors that are full of interest. Age 3+

In this illustrated guide for young explorers, a penguin takes an alphabetical tour of 28 world cities from Amsterdam to Washington DC. Each spread includes historical information, key facts and famous landmarks, and provides directions using the book’s built-in compass. Age 4+

From squid to seals and seabirds, a range of watery creatures are accurately depicted in this activity book, which includes facts, quizzes, puzzles, and colouring activities to complete using the sticker sheets provided. Age 6+

With eight limbs and 200 suckers, how would an octopus get on at a fancy-dress party or manage to cook a meal? The silly answers in this non-fiction picture book help readers to learn real facts.

Among mazes, spotting and word puzzles, and colouring and sticker activities, this collection introduces ancient predators of the sea and sky, some of their contemporaries, and a 521 million-year-old trilobite that pre-dates them all. Age 6+

With accurate illustrations of the animals and a great range of puzzles, quizzes, mazes, sticker activities and even a wall poster, this is an enjoyable way to learn about the world’s mammals. Age 6+

This illustrated collection by a favourite children’s poet incorporates subjects ranging from Frisbees to fruit and family members. Featuring plenty of Rosen wordplay, exuberant verses are contrasted with more thought-provoking works, and the author performs the poems on the accompanying CD. Age 4+

Written and illustrated by the great Edward Ardizzone, Little Tim's adventures at sea have delighted generations of children. In this story, Tim and Ginger, both cabin boys on the SS Royal Fusilier, find a puppy and smuggle him aboard. They hide young Towser from Captain Piper, but as time goes by Towser grows bigger and bigger... Age 4+

This illustrated guide explains how to read music, describes the history and style of different genres, and introduces the most popular instruments. There are practical exercises for the recorder, piano and guitar, and activities and tips to help budding musicians discover more about how music is made, why it is important and how to develop their own musical talent. Age 7+

Having stowed away in a suitcase, Mary arrives in Dover and makes her way to London, where she has fun at a dance class, plays with toy boats and orders an enormous quantity of cake. Age 6+

Discover the gruesome armoury of medieval warfare, and learn how foot soldiers laid siege to massive castles. This boxed set includes a 24-page book and 15 model pieces that will allow you to build a working siege catapult and assemble walls, towers and gatehouses to batter into submission. Full instructions and stirring accounts of actual medieval sieges are provided. Age 7+

In this ingenious A–Z, artist Norman Messenger has transformed objects and animals into the letters – capitals and lower case – of the alphabet: capital L is a boot and the laces are lower case, an enormous snake winds itself into capital Q while two small snakes hang from a branch, and Z is composed entirely of clouds. Age 5+

Every child makes drawings of simple houses and many are inspired to sketch dream homes when they are older. This drawing and colouring book focuses interest on architecture and famous buildings, such as the Empire State Building and the Gherkin, as well as interior features such as lighting and furniture. Using accessible, simple line art, the pages include dot-to-dots, sketches to colour in and drawing challenges. Ages 7–13.

In this illustrated selection of comedies, tragedies and love stories, six of Shakespeare’s plays are retold for young readers, with extracts from the original works. Informative fact panels provide explanations of terms and themes, and place the stories into historical context. Age 8+

When Millie is accosted by a talking cat called Max, who has escaped from a nearby laboratory, her summer holiday suddenly takes an interesting turn. Can Millie help Max rescue his friends who are still imprisoned inside? Age 8+

In the very first Worzel Gummidge novel, John and Susan arrive at the Braithwaites’ farm for the summer holidays – and find a scarecrow warming himself in the kitchen.

The second novel finds Worzel married to Earthy Mangold, and taking on the roles of schoolteacher, handyman and policeman, with chaotic results.

In his third volume of riotous adventures, our turnip-headed hero gets stuck in a chimney, rides a horse and becomes the star attraction at a circus.

Worzel and Earthy Mangold join John and Susan at the seaside, where Earthy is swept out to sea and Worzel finds a kindred spirit in a ship’s figurehead called Saucy Nancy.

The scarecrows Worzel Gummidge, Earthy Mangold and Hannah Harrow are creating havoc in May: among other disasters, a swarm of bees invades Mrs Bloomsbury-Barton’s living room.

Percy Jackson’s Ancient Greek Gods was an amazing success; now, having been promised a year’s supply of pepperoni pizza and blue jelly beans, he has agreed to tell the stories of twelve mortal heroes, among them Perseus, Daedalus, Theseus, Orpheus and Hercules. Told in 21st-century style, the tales are vividly illustrated by John Rocco. There is also a cheat sheet at the back, in case you get lost in the myths. Age 8+

Emily comes to terms with her sister’s death in unexpected ways, as she is whisked off to a land of talking toys created from her own imagination. This novel from the award-winning author of Five Children on the Western Front tackles grief with honesty and humour. Age 9+

The morning after a dreadful storm, Asa finds the body of a fairy in his garden pond. In attempting to discover whether such a creature could really exist, Asa finds himself caught up in an unexpected adventure. Age 8+

In 2011 a boy and his father stumble into a village that is stuck in the Second World War. As the ghostly inhabitants flee, the School of Night arrives to investigate, but even the trees are against them. Age 9+

Joey Harker has discovered that there are one trillion alternative earths, and they are all at war. In the third title in the series, Joe finds himself tasked with saving InterWorld and protecting the Multiverse. Age 11+

The oceans that cover two-thirds of the world's surface are still a mysterious, largely unexplored realm. Illustrated with breathtaking underwater photographs, this large-format book plumbs its depths, following in the wake of vast whales and the tiny plankton that feed them; predatory sharks; mighty rays; and the otherworldly denizens of the inky deep. It introduces the scientists and explorers who probe its secrets, visits famous shipwrecks including Titanic, and explains the complex ecosystem that supports so many diverse species.

Explore the mysterious world of ancient Egypt. Meet the all-powerful pharaohs; sail down the Nile with Huya the scribe; visit a farm; watch the priests perform their rituals in the temple; and see how the mummy-makers perform their grisly work.

Thelonious tries to outwit Fat Cat with his toe-tapping tunes and rhymes, but will Fat Cat stop chasing mice and finally feel the beat? Age 3+

Who did his business on Mole’s head? That’s what Mole is trying to find out in this pull-the-tab edition of the scatologically humorous tale first published 30 years ago.

Whatever the emergency, the big red fire engine is ready to save the day. Opening doors, pulling tabs and speeding the engine across town, readers can even man the pumps and put out the flames. Age 2+

Highly illustrated and with bite-sized text, this guide covers everything about cowboy life, from boot types and nicknames to language and how to make Sock Stew. There is a dress-up, press-out cowboy. Age 4+

With bold and colourful designs, this non-fiction picture book explains sunsets and clouds, why rain is important and why thunder booms, providing a simple introduction to weather, the seasons and climate change that culminates in a knowledge-testing quiz. Age 5+

A young city boy sent to stay with his aunt in rural Provence, Yannick finds how different life can be, falls hopelessly in love with his cousin, and meets the ‘greatest painter in the world’ – but is the old man with very little hair really Cézanne?

Twenty challenging 1,000-dot puzzles based on Marvel Comic artworks of Spiderman and his friends, allies and foes, plus an extra large, 1,500-dot puzzle of Spidey v. Doctor Octopus. Age 8+

In this entertaining picture book, the children find an unidentified, sleeping creature in their garden and decide to send it home. When the mysterious creature finally wakes up, it’s in for a big surprise. Age 3+

In this Funny Prize-winning board book, Gertie wakes up in a grump that affects everyone she sees. When she meets monkey swinging by his legs from a tree, everything turns upside down (including the book). Age 3+

The maps in this children’s atlas, many of which fold out, illustrate the variety of habitats or ‘biomes’ which are home to the world’s fauna. Each map features captioned photographs of indigenous species, including alpine marmots, desert cats, nesting seabirds and river reptiles, some of which are paired with animal fact boxes describing each species, and highlighting the most remarkable – and dangerous.