The Princess and the Peas and Carrots by Harriet Ziefert and Travis Foster (Blue Apple Books)

Sharing a house with a Princess isn't easy. We know this only too well at ReadItDaddy Towers as our own little Princess, Charlotte (she tells us quite forcefully she's a princess but we haven't tried the 'pea' test yet).

Princess Rosebud (or Rosebud as she's known most of the time) likes things 'just so'. Her cuddly toys are exquisitely arranged on her freshly made bed, she likes to draw and paint (but makes sure all her pens and pencils are properly lined up first) and she's good at practically everything she turns her hand to.

But like our own little Princess, sometimes it only takes the slightest thing to cause a giant royal meltdown.

When dinner does not go according to plan one evening, Princess Rosebud explodes quite spectacularly. But learning the story of the Princess and the Pea, Rosebud realises that the uncomfortable lump in her mattress means something after all!

This book is beautifully presented, with a huge sprawling fold-out story segueing nicely with the main plot. Harriet Ziefert's observations on child behaviour are spot on and Travis Foster's humorous cartoon drawings are brilliant.

If you've got one or more little princesses at home, you'll love this book to bits (as will they).

Charlotte's best bit: Princess Rosebud's great collection of toy animals and dolls

Daddy's favourite bit: Brilliantly observed and the foldouts are fantastic too!

(Kindly sent to us by Mat Archer / Blue Apple Books)