The Spy Book by Laura Buller, Joe Fullman, Ben Gilliland and Jim Pipe (Dorling Kindersley)

Charlotte is drawn to any books about spying. This is a slightly worrying thing for a 6 year old to be obsessive about, but as a kid who grew up with those cool little spy kits (with a REAL camera, plastic binoculars and probably a gun that fired dangerous little plastic pellets at unwitting relatives) I can understand the lure.

We've been previously wowed by Usborne's superb Knowhow book of Spying and here's Dorling Kindersley's big fat spy book, which Charlotte could not resist when she spotted it at our local library.

Packed with historical accounts of spying antics, practical demonstrations on how to set up your own 'dead drop', and even a fascinating spread on real-life historical figures that inspired the fictional spies we know and love, it really is a weighty book (with a rather eye-catching X-Ray lenticular cover that's bound to make your youngsters' eyes boggle with excitement).

Dorling Kindersley are past masters at producing big fat fascinating books like this and with brilliant illustrations and photographs throughout, this is bound to keep your spy-obsessed little ones happy for weeks. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm sure that photograph on the wall just blinked at me...

Charlotte's best bit: Codes and ciphers (which might help when the next series of Gravity Falls arrives later this year!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: A meaty tome full of spy goodness. I keep sneaking this off for a quick read as well!