These three gentle, beautifully illustrated stories feature Alfie and his good friend Grandma. A missing tortoise is disguised as a stone, Alfie goes exploring indoors and Alfie and Grandma help a lost sheep. A map at the back of the book shows Grandma’s house, so that readers can spot locations that feature in the story. Age 3+

In Kate Saunders’ award-winning sequel to E Nesbit’s Five Children and It, the First World War is breaking out and, while Anthea is at Art School, Cyril is heading off to war. With the original protagonists all grown up, the action falls to their younger siblings, Lamb and Edie. When the Psammead – an ancient, magical sand fairy – appears for the first time in ten years, their adventures really begin. Age 9+

Cherry is swept out to sea and encounters ghosts from a mine; two children rescue a strange old man caught in an animal trap… Five mystical, sometimes dark, short stories are connected by their location: Zennor, on the coast at the edge of Britain. With beautiful colour illustrations, these are haunting, magical tales. Age 9+

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.

Mrs Large just needs a few minutes to herself in the bath, but her children won’t leave her alone – one wants to play the recorder, another to read to her. Will she ever get a moment to herself? First published over 30 years ago, this is a picture book classic with delightfully humorous illustrations. Age 3+

Each picture book in this set takes a different theme – jungle animals, sleepy animals, baby animals – and features a simple rhyming storyline. Sound effects and animal noises at various points in the texts allow very young readers to participate in the narration. With large, bright, colourful illustrations throughout, each book culminates in a farewell spread, picturing all the animals in the story and the sounds they make. Age 2+

Mia is up bright and early, but Poka is still sleeping. Mia tries everything to get Poka out of bed, but when they finally reach the pond she is far too tired to play.

Mia is scared by something at the bottom of the garden. She plucks up courage to investigate and discovers a shivering spider. Can Mia find a way to help the spider keep warm?

Mia is bored at home, so Poka suggests a trip to the cinema. Things don’t quite go as planned, however, when Mia insists her eight dolls must come with them.

Mia wants to play football, but training is hard and the boys on the team aren’t friendly. At home she practises and practises. What will happen when she plays her first match?

Fake eyes on a butterfly’s wings mean predators mistake it for an owl; the octopus changes colour to blend in with the seabed… Animals are hidden on the colour spreads, and jump out when illuminated from behind. Contrasting black-and-white pages reveal the secrets of each creature’s camouflage, while a guide at the back locates their habitats. Age 3+

Unfold this pocket-sized edition of Kipling’s classic story to discover twelve beautifully illustrated pop-up scenes. Short extracts from the book introduce young readers to Mowgli, Baloo and other well-loved characters. Slipcased. Age 5+.

Strange dreams come to life in this rhyming storybook. Bee-hunting snakes, tree-climbing penguins and glow-in-the-dark zebras live on the wild island of Turvytops, alongside sweet-tasting rainbows and ice-cream mountains. Age 2+

The extraordinary adventures of the original Mr Benn (he later became a TV personality) always begin in a costume shop. This time, he tries on a clown suit and joins a circus. First published in 1980. Age 5+

A whole host of animals move into the little wooden house in the woods. They live very happily together, until bear comes along and things start to go badly wrong... Age 2+

England’s Henry VIII, Africa’s Queen Nzinga Mbande and Aztec Emperor Montezuma II are rated, alongside other world rulers, for cunning, ruthlessness and more. Who is the hardest nut of all? Age 7+

Over 100 historical figures feature on these colour-coded, cut-out cards. Players choose a category and pit one personality against another to find out who holds the toughest card. Age 7+

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 warm and witty handbook for girls who already have a little sister, or are thinking of getting one, has information on everything from good tickling spots to sharing and tidying up. Age 3+

It takes a particularly hard nut to trek across Australia, reach the North Pole, or be blasted into space. Who is the most daring and courageous explorer? Age 7+

Discover who fought hardest in the Battle of Waterloo, the First World War or the Russian Revolution. Many warriors are rated here, and the toughest nuts may surprise you. Age 7+

Caterpillars, dinosaurs, trains, boats and the naughty step feature in this engaging collection of over 50 simple verses, designed to help young readers discover the delights of poetry. Age 3+

Would you prefer a mouse for a mum or a hamster for a sister? There are four options for each pet-related question, with humorous illustrations and interesting facts about every choice. Age 4+

Match the Deadly Enemies, Name That Viking, or play Greek Monsters and Ladders… This activity book offers plenty of inventive quizzes and games, and provides a wealth of interesting facts. Age 7+

The epic tale of a Swiss family’s shipwreck and their survival on an uncharted tropical island has been a bestseller since it was published in 1812. What started as a bedtime story for Pastor Wyss’ own four sons, aiming to teach them about nature, survival, self-reliance and cooperation, is now a classic of children’s literature. This abridged version is read by Jonathan Keeble. Naxos Junior Classics. 4 CDs 4hr 56mins

The Rubik’s-cube core of the world’s most important computer has been stolen, and it’s the reader’s mission to recover it. Rather than reading from front to back, young adventurers must use their knowledge of shape, geometry and patterns – as well as their common sense – to solve the puzzles and plot their own unique path through the story. Age 7+

With basic instructions at the start of the book and a library of stitches at the back, this book enables children to tackle 17 different sewing ideas, ranging from simple Rainbow Bunting to the Clip Clop Pony string-puppet, or the more practical Patchwork Blanket. Patterns are provided to copy, or trace and cut out, and while some projects can be made with a sewing machine, all can be completed by hand.

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.

With wonderfully funny and expressive illustrations and simple text, this is a dog’s guide to choosing a human to live with and being a good dog. Children with a new puppy will love it. Age 3+

Boris and Sam are giants who live in a perfect, peaceful land – until they quarrel and their world grows dark and miserable. How can they be friends again? The answer is in their socks. Age 4+

With exciting pictures by award-winning illustrator Bernardo Carvalho, this book looks at our means of transport in comparison to other animals that travel without polluting the planet. Age 6+

Messy Monster goes to the rescue of the Kiri Kiri islanders who have terrible nightmares. Children can help Messy with his solutions, such as cutting and folding a box to trap the nightmares. Age 5+

As well as the famous tale of Little Kay’s capture by the Snow Queen and Gerda’s heroic journey to save him, Clare Corbett reads four more tales, including The Snowman. Unabridged.

‘Carrots – yuck!’ says fussy Duck. ‘They’re good for you,’ says Kangaroo. The animals have a feast of food and rhymes, and after Pup has done the washing up, guess what rhymes with Sheep? Age 2+

This is the pop-up tale of Suzy Goose who wanted to be different. She wanted to squawk like a toucan, swim like a seal and roar like a lion, but when she roared, the lion was not amused. Age 2+

During the day, the bath puts out wings and three toys – frog, turtle and duck – fly around the world bringing water to animals in need, such as thirsty kangaroo or the bee whose flowers need a drink. Age 3+

Little Mouse sees something red and shiny in the tree, but is it a marble, a balloon or a ball? With the help of Mole and Rabbit, Mouse finds a way to reach the tree, but what he discovers up there surprises then delights them all. Age 3+

Puppy loves his stick, but cow, chicken and pig are not interested at all. Then another stick enthusiast arrives and together they get everyone playing stick. Age 2+

Although Bessie-Belle promises to grant Freddie his every wish, she can’t hear very well and his wishes come out wrong – but it is Freddie’s mumbling to blame, not Bessie-Belle’s magic. Age 3+

When Ted falls out of bed and can’t wake his friend up (his two eyes are tight shut), three mice invite him to come and play. It’s the beginning of an exciting counting adventure – up to ten and back again – for Ted and all the other toys. Age 3+

Lizzy and Jack take their cat to visit their grandmother. They love her home; there is a greenhouse full of butterflies and Nana has a secret – she knows how to turn into a butterfly. Age 3+

Albert enters his monster in The Best Pet Monster competition; but Sidney has no warts, parasites, smelly farts or hot breath and he’s too scared of heights to hover: he is absolutely the Worst in Show. Age 4+

Clemmie the cat knows how to catch a mouse; but she has never actually seen one. She spots a lot of things that are not mice; but what will she do if she finds a real one? Age 3+

In the nursery at Shiverhawk Hall hang the ancestral portraits of the Shiverhawk children, seen but not heard – until nightfall, when they climb from their frames and run RIOT. Age 4+

This is the incredible story of Hamilton, the bravest squidlegger in the scrintalberry swamp, but only during the hours when the sun shares its light. Hamilton is afraid of bedtime. Age 4+

Harry the Hog and a shrew called Lil are best friends. In this story, told in rhyming couplets, they go searching for the source of a scary noise in their village, and meet a series of wild animals before the drama is resolved. Age 3+

Candy Stripe Lil (a shrew) and Harry the Hog are on their way to Badger’s birthday party. The guests have been told to wear hats, and when the wind blows Lil’s cap away, she must fly after it. Age 3+

Candy Stripe Lil invited Harry the Hog to tea (warm jellied maggots!), but he hasn’t turned up. Lost in the fog, he’s stepped in a bog – but luckily, Lil has set off to find him. Age 3+