Katie's London Christmas by James Mayhew (Orchard Books)

Happy Launch Day! James Mayhew wins the "First Christmas Book to Review" race this year, and though you may well grumble that Christmas feels like it's only just around the corner even though you've just packed the kids back off to school, you won't want to miss out on this very special book.

James' "Katie" books are so well loved by us, that we've been steadily tracking down Katie's adventures, reading them all and enjoying them all. This year something very special happens one Christmas Eve as Katie and Jack are woken by a loud sneeze.

"ATCHOO!"

When they go to investigate, they find that poor Father Christmas has a rotten cold, and could really do with a couple of helping hands to ensure everyone gets their presents.

Soon they're whisked away on Santa's sleigh, for a trip across the London rooftops, taking in the landmarks as they go and with a little magic, travelling down the chimneys to deliver lovely christmas gifts.

We already know that James has a fine eye for detail. In the wonderful "Gallery" books we love seeing him reproducing the great artworks of the world with ease, and in stories like this where he gets to stretch his own creative style, there's so much to see in each page spread that children will be enthralled and wrapped up in this book for many readings and re-readings. That's the sort of thing we really love to see in a children's book and definitely one that would make a great gift to tuck under your own christmas tree on Christmas Eve.

We won't spoil what happens at the end of the book as it's rather special. We loved the whirlwind tour of some of our favourite landmarks, and Charlotte's favourite bit made her giggle with glee!

Brilliant stuff, highly recommended if you're looking for early christmas pressie ideas for your little ones and what could be better than a fantastic picture book like this?

"Katie's London Christmas" by James Mayhew is released today, 4th September 2014 from Orchard Books.

Charlotte's best bit: Spotting that the Trafalgar Square lion still has Katie's scarf tucked under his tum to keep him warm!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Enchanting and charming, the "Katie" books are so wonderfully dream-like that they'll have you smiling for the rest of the day if you sneak in an early morning read (like we often do!) Magical stuff!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Orchard Books)