Keep Out, Bears About! by Sally Grindley and Peter Utton (Hodder Children's Books)

Building anticipation and excitement in children's books is no mean feat, particularly if your child is a little fidget-bottom and needs to be engaged and immersed in a book to really reap the benefit of being read to. Charlotte loves books that start off with a dark twist or two to draw her in, and in "Keep Out, Bears About" you find out what it must've felt like to be a young wayward Goldilocks, out for a walk in the woods, stumbling across mysterious signs warning of...BEARS!

We like the way the story warns you, pleads with you to take care and caution before proceeding. We also like the way that Peter Utton works in spooky details into his illustrations, to build a little harmless menace and darkness (check out that bridge! Eeeks!)

For Charlotte, lift-the-flap books are still huge fun, and in this book you'll need to explore and investigate just what's hidden in every page before encountering those bears! Are they furry? Are they friendly? Would you be if someone broke into your house, ate your food, smashed your furniture and trashed your bed?

Charlotte's best bit: The finale, which does not disappoint! RUN!!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Loving all the little menacing and spooky details that Peter works into his illustrations!