Fragoline and the Midnight Dream by Clemency Pearce and Rebecca Elliott (Chicken House Books)

Chicken House Books seem to have a knack for picking up children's books that are slightly out of the ordinary. Fragoline (The name of a strawberry, to match her hair - and how exactly do you pronounce that? Fray-Go-Line is what we picked but I guess it could easily be Fraj-oh-lin-eh) isn't your ordinary everyday children's book hero, she's actually very naughty and not scared of anything. Or is she?

Tightly drawn gothic style artwork interweaves with Fragoline's story of a night of lost sleep, and a determined little girl who stalks the darkness in search of mischief and adventure.

It's novel, original and definitely a winner if your child always seems drawn to the 'witches and monsters' section in the library rather than the 'fairies and princesses' section.

Charlotte's best bit: What happens when Fragoline goes just one step too far and dances on gravestones

Daddy's favourite bit: Really great illustrations, dark but not too scary for children.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars