When Martha's Away by Bruce Ingman (Walker Books)

Though this is a golden oldie, it's a classic book that doesn't get nearly as much hype and love as Bruce Ingman's other titles. But this tale of the secret life of a cat and what he gets up to when his owner goes to school is hilarious and timeless in equal measure (though these days, rather than read the cat news, moggies probably go onto their own version of the internet and visit CatTube to watch pictures of cute humans doing stupid things instead).

Fantastic, funny and with Ingman's trademark child-like drawing style tapping straight into a kid's psyche, this is marvellous storytelling married to simple visuals to conjure up a day in the life of an ordinary house cat.

Charlotte's best bit: The cat's piano recital

Daddy's favourite bit: The shifty door to door salescat hawking his wares

Rating: 4 out of 5 paws